Angels 3 Indians 1
WP: Ervin Santana (6-8) LP: David Huff (1-1)
SB: Howie Kendrick 2 (11), Peter Bourjos (12)
Who's willing to bet fans of either team were watching a historic game after an Erick Aybar error cost Santana and the Angels a run in the first? Well they were and for the 11th time in MLB history, a non-shutout complete game also carries the notoriety of a no-hitter. Santana (0 ER) looked sharp, fanning ten batters and walking one over nine innings. Until giving up a run in each of the fifth and sixth innings, Huff (5.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 K) wasn't exactly a schlep either.
-Peter Bourjos plays the unsung hero, going 2-4 with a stolen base, RBI and run scored.
Mariners 9 Yankees 2
WP: Felix Hernandez (9-9) LP: Phil Hughes (1-3)
SB: Ichiro Suzuki 2 (28), Brett Gardner (32), Eduardo Nunez (15)
After losing 17-games in a row, I'm fairly confident it's been a quite a stretch since Seattle has had four-hit games from multiple players in their starting lineup. Both Ichiro (2 R) and Mike Carp (R, 4 RBI) had four hit days against a fairly ineffective Yankees staff. Though Hughes (9 H, 2 ER, BB, 3K) did manage to go six innings, five Yankees pitchers gave up a combined 17 hits. Meanwhile on the other end of the bump, Hernandez (7 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 BB, 5 K) was throwing his normal quality stuff.
-Dustin Ackley also had a big day, going 3-5, with 3 RBI and two runs scored.
White Sox 2 Tigers 1
WP: John Danks (4-8) LP: Max Scherzer (11-6) S: Sergio Santos (21)
HR: Austin Jackson (5), Alejandro De Aza (1)
Out with the old, in with the new? Well, not exactly, but after the trade that subsequently sent Edwin Jackson to the Cardinals, Ozzie Guillen had another spot to play with. By the time the smoke had cleared, De Aza (1-4, 2 RBI, K) was the odd man IN. Odd indeed, as De Aza hit the game-winning two-run homer to clinch a win and three-game series edge over the A.L Central leading Tigers. Despite high walk totals, both starting pitchers Scherzer (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8 K) and Danks (6 IP, 6 H, ER, 3 BB, 10 K) pitched well.
-Jackson went 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI
Giants 2 Phillies 1
WP: Matt Cain (9-6) LP: Cole Hamels (12-6) S: Brian Wilson (32)
SB: Jimmy Rollins (22)
Perhaps also bolstered by almighty pending trade, fresh off the news of acquiring the highly coveted Carlos Beltran, the Giants also picked up a good 'ole fashion 2-1 win tonight. After Aaron Rowand's RBI triple in the third, the Giants tacked on another run in the top of the seventh. Despite the fact the Phillies answered in the bottom half of the 7th with a run of their own, the Giants pen went perfect and hung on for the win. As expected, this was a nice pitching duel, between Cain (7 IP, 4 H, R, BB, K) and Hamels (7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K).
Marlins 7 Nationals 5
WP: JavierVazquez (7-9) LP: Livan Hernandez (5-10) S: Leo Nunez (29)
HR: Mike Stanton (23), Mike Cameron 2 (3), Laynce Nix (14)
SB: Emilio Bonifacio (23)
When Mike Cameron (2-5, 3 RBI, 2 K) hit his second of two homeruns, surely Nats fans thought that just about put this game out of reach. Well, as they were unlocking their cars in the parking lot, it turns out those were the only two runs their Nats could NOT make in the bottom of the ninth. Despite a four-run ninth inning rally, the Marlins clinch this week's series, regardless of tomorrow afternoon's outcome
-Five Marlins (Omar Infante, Greg Dobbs, Hanley Ramirez, Stanton and Cameron) hitters had two or more hits
-Ryan Zimmerman (3-5, R, RBI) and Rick Ankiel (2-3) had solid days at the plate in the loss
Blue Jays 3 Orioles 0
WP: R. Romero (8-9) LP: A. Simon (0-3) Jon Rauch (8)
HR: J.P. Arencibia (16)
SB: Rajai Davis 2 (31)
As I went over my expected starters this morning, my heart jumped as I saw Romero at home against the lackluster Orioles. Every now and then, score one for instinct, as Romero (8.1 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 9 K) was dominant four-hitting the Baltimore. All the while Simon's line (5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) was once again deserving of his spot in the rotation. As for the game's offense, the Jays perhaps also jolted by today's market action, scored three times in the first four innings and that's all their left-hander needed to tie this three-game series at one.
Braves 2 Pirates 1
WP: Scott Linebrink (4-2) LP: Chris Leroux (1-1)
HR: Garrett Jones (10)
Just what the doctor ordered for the Pirates? Um, no...Already reeling from their undeserving 19-inning loss on Tuesday, the Pirates needed a solid effort from starter Maholm (7 IP, 9 H, ER, 8 K) to put things back on track. Well, they got that, unfortunately the Braves got equally as good a start from Jurrjens (7 IP, 6 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K) and Pittsburgh found themselves in extra innings once again. But it's not all about the hard-luck loss Buccos (sorry pghguy), as its becoming clear the Braves are not a one-man catching team. Back-up catcher David Ross (2-4, 2 RBI) seems to be coming into his own this season, batting .286 in a scarce-start spotting. Ross single-handedly kept the Braves in the game, knocking in the tying run in the bottom of the seventh, and the winning run in the tenth.
-Neil Walker is 5-12 over the last two games
-Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla each had a three-hit night
Mets 8 Reds 2
WP: Mike Pelfrey (6-9) LP: Bronson Arroyo (7-9)
HR: David Wright (8), Lucas Duda (2), Joey Votto (15)
SB: Jose Reyes (32)
Perhaps jolted by the thought of future seasons, in the wake of the Beltran trade, the Mets are another team involved in a trade that took a confidence-building win. After a two-run first inning, Pelfrey (7 H, 2 ER, 3 K) responded sharply, giving up runs in only the fourth and seventh innings on his way to his second complete-game win of the season. Don't look now, but the Mets (12.5 games back in the East) are on a three-game winning streak.
-Daniel Murphy (R, RBI) enjoyed the first game of the Beltran-less era, going 4-5 and now has 11 hits in his last 17 plate appearances.
-Jose Reyes (2-5, 2 R) continues his plight to get out of town, while David Wright (2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI) solidified his struggle as the only superstar remaining.
-Arroyo (6 IP, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) was mediocre, is that right? Either way, he most likely hurt those owners that bet on him.
Brewers 2 Cubs 0
WP: Zack Greinke (8-4) LP: Carlos Zambrano (7-6) S: John Axford (29)
HR: Prince Fielder (29)
Not having won since June 21st, the Cubbies are exactly what Greinke (6.2 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 9 K) needed and he didn't disappoint. Good news for the Cubs, Zambrano (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) was fairly solid as well. Unfortunately for big Z, it was Prince's shot to deep left that put the Brewers ahead for good as the Cubs offense could muster very little. Casey Mcgehee helped lead the way, going 2-3 tonight.
Astros 4 Cardinals 2
WP: Fernando Rodriguez (2-0) LP: Mitchell Boggs (0-3) S: Mark Melancon (9)
Perhaps its poetry that the one team involved in trades today, and mortgaging their future, lost to one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this season. Not long after sending Colby Rasmus as part of the deal to grab Edwin Jackson, Corey Patterson and to strengthen their bullpen, the Cardinals found themselves tied at 2 headed into the ninth inning. It was bullpen cog Boggs (2 BB, K) who ended up giving the game to the Stros, allowing two earned runs on five hits in 1.2 innings pitched. Most imperative to the ninth inning rally, was Jose Atulve's (3-4) single to shallow center, that not only helped to runs to score, but extended his hitting streak to seven games to begin his major-league career.
As advertised both starting pitcher's stood their ground well.
-Bud Norris (6 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 5)
-Chris Carpenter (7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K)
Diamondbacks 4 Padres 3
WP: Ian Kennedy (12-3) LP: Cory Luebke (3-5) S: J.J. Putz (22)
HR: Justin Upton 2 (20), Xavier Nady (4), Luis Martinez (1)
SB: Collin Cowgill (1), Cameron Maybin (23)
Aside from a two-homerun night from the other Upton (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI), it was a back-and-forth night of offense and consistent pitching by Kennedy (6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 9 K) that solidified this win for Arizon. Of course a three mistake night by Luebke (6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6) helps and the game-winning hit goes to Nady (3-4, R, 2 RBI, who had himself a great night.
-Cody Random (1-3) is 2-6 since being called up in Stephen Drew's absence
-Will Venable went 1-4, with 2 RBI
Rockies 3 Dodgers 1
WP: Aaron Cook (2-5) LP: Hiroki Kuroda (6-13) S: Huston Street (27)
HR: Rod Barajas (9)
SB: Dexter Fowler (6)
Yet another pitcher, badly in need of facing a slumping lineup, Cook (7 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K), not only pitched his first quality start of July, but also earned a win in his second consecutive start.
Kuroda (6 IP, 6 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K) is once again a hard-luck loser in a spinning wheels organization, he should be moved soon. Troy Tulowitzki (3-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 K) and Fowler (2-5, R, K) had a large hand in the Rockies defeat of Los Angeles.
-Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp both had a two-hit night in the loss
Red Sox 12 Royals 5
WP:John Lackey (9-8) LP: Bruce Chen (5-4)
HR:Billy Butler (9),Eric Hosmer (10),Jacob Ellsbury (17),Dustin Pedroia (14),David Ortiz (20)
SB: Ellsbury (29), Kevin Youkilis (2)
For the Greinke-less Royals, you're hard-pressed to find a more important arm to the staff than Chen this season. Unfortunately, the Chen (4 IP, 10 H, 10 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) of season's past showed up tonight in Boston, and Ellsbury (3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI) reaped the most benefits. Pedroia (2 R, 2 RBI) and Adrian Gonzalez (R, 3 RBI) also took advantage registering three hits tonight as well. Despite the fact that the Royals got off to a quick start on Lackey (5.2 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 K) with three-runs in the first, it was an Ortiz fifth-inning grand-slam that put this one away.
Twins 7 Rangers 1
WP: Brian Duensing (8-8) LP: Colby Lewis (10-8)
HR: Joe Mauer (1), Michael Cuddyer (15)
SB: Ben Revere (16)
Head back two weeks and the Rangers were running on all gears. No one ever questioned their offense, but the starting pitching was damn near phenomenal. But after a disappointing performance by C.J.Wilson last night, and sending Lewis (6.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) to their home mound tonight, Ron Washington probably had little confidence in his team's chances. Add in the fact that Duensing (6 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 6 K) finally pitched above his own expectations in Arlington, TX, and the Rangers never had a chance.
-Five Twins hitters had two or more hits, including Joe Mauer (2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI), who hit his first homerun of the season and Jason Kubel (3-5, 3 RBI)
A's 13 Rays 4
WP: Trevor Cahill (9-9) LP: James Shields (9-9)
HR: Matt Joyce (15), Hideki Matsui (9), Ryan Sweeney (1)
Two solid pedigrees of a pitcher headed into this game, riding on very different mindsets. The game of Baseball is funny sometimes, as both exit out of this game heading in very opposite directions of when they started the night. Shields (4 IP, 12 H, 12 ER, 2 BB, 2 K), coming off a last, very solid start was suspect against a questionable offense tonight. Meanwhile, Cahill (7.1 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 6 K), who is coming off one of the worst shellings of his career was back to his solid self. The A's offense was of course the joker card, as three Oakland hitters (Jemile Weeks, Matsui and Sweeney) had three hits in route to their third straight win against the Rays in a series of four. As a result, Weeks (3 RBI) Matsui (5 RBI) and Sweeney (2 RBI) also made up for 70|PERCENT| of the Athletics production tonight.
-Desmond Jennings (2-4, R, RBI, BB, K) is now 8-18 since being recalled from the minors
-The Rays removed Kotchman (0-2) -all of a sudden 4th in A.L. Average- for the likes of Robinson Chirinos. Chirinos (2-2, R) went on to record the first multi-hit game of his young career.