Cardinals 5 Pirates 4
WP: Kyle McClellan (10-6) LP: Jose Veras (2-4)
HR: Lance Berkman (30), Yadier Molina (12)
SB: Albert Pujols (7)
James McDonald (6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) got the better of Jake Westbrook (6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 3 K) to set the tone. The Pirates show they have some fight in them, regardless of their place in the division. In the end, St. Louis has the stronger bullpen throwing three innings of no-hit ball and Berkman (1-4) got the best of Veras (IP, H, 2 ER, BB, K) in the bottom of the eighth. McClellan (2 IP, 2 K) "closed" things out.
Brewers 5 Cubs 2
WP: Randy Wolf (11-8) LP: Rodrigo Lopez (4-5) S: John Axford (38)
HR: Starlin Castro (8), George Kottaras (3)
SB: Darwin Barney (8), Corey Hart (6), Nyjer Morgan (9), Ryan Braun (30)
A few Cubs errors helped put Milwaukee up for good tonight. Wolf (6.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K) pitched fantastically for Milwaukee and earned a fifth victory in his last six starts. Braun (2-2, 2 BB, R, RBI), Corey Hart (2-4, BB, K, 2 R) and Jerry Hairston Jr. (2-4) nab two hits tonight.
Marlins 6 Phillies 5
WP: Clay Hensley (2-5) LP: Roy Oswalt (6-8) S: Steve Cishek (3)
HR: John Buck (16), Ryan Howard (27), Wilson Valdez (1)
SB: Emilio Bonifacio (31)
Like Pacino says in Devil's Advocate, "What A Number!!!" Thirty-one SB's for Bonifacio, who has another (2-5, K, R) productive night. Even though Philly's pen (3.1 2 H, 5 K/FLA 3.1) was stronger, the Marlins pen (3.1, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 K) conserves Hensley's (5.2 UP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, K) early lead. Oswalt had the forgetful line (5.2 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, BB, 2 K) in this matchup. Former Phillies super pinch-hitter, Greg Dobbs (4-5, R, RBI) keeps up the appearances of a strong first season (.288 in 327 ABs) as a fish.
Hunter Pence goes 2-4 (K) in the losing effort. John Buck's (2-3, BB,K,R) sixth inning grand slam proves to be the difference.
Orioles 12 Yankees 5
WP: Tommy Hunter (3-2) LP: A.J. Burnett (9-11)
HR: Alex Rodriguez (14), Nick Swisher (19), Jorge Posada (12), J.J. Hardy (25), Matt Wieters (14), Mark Reynolds (30)
Isn't it sad a game of wall ball can happen in either stadium between the O's and Yanks? Tommy Hunter (7.0 IP 5 H, 4 ER, 4 K)...as they say, go west young man. Oakland, Seattle or San Diego, Tommy Hunter and his amazing one pitch arsenal will not last long in the A.L. East. Yes, I realize he pitched well against the mighty Roidriguez and his merry men, but this guy needs a pitcher park before
fantasy value will be had.
-Burnett (2 BB, 5 K) went five innings, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits.
-Wieters (2-4, R), Hardy (1-5, 3 RBI) and Nolan Reimold (2-4, R, 3 RBI) collect nine of the 12 Orioles' RBI's
Original scheduled as a doubleheader Saturday. Game 1 will be played September 8th, Game 2 will be played as a doubleheader Sunday.
Indians 2 Royals 1
WP: Ubaldo Jimenez (2-1) LP: Felipe Paulino (2-6) S: Chris Perez (28)
HR: Eric Hosmer (12)
Just looking at the matchup this morning seemed like one of a future importance. Before one is moved, consider Paulino (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6K) and Jimenez (7 H, 7 H, ER, BB, 10 K) heading off nicely in future match-ups. Ezequiel Carrera (0-1, 2 BB) ends up scoring the winning run in the seventh inning. Carlos Santana (R), Jack Hannahan and Koskue Fukudome (R) each went 2-3 in the win. The Royals cornerstone chips Hosmer (2-3) and Mike Moustakas (2-4, 2 K) chip in for the Royals.
-Jim Thome went 0-4 in his return to Cleveland.
Rays 6 Blue Jays 1
WP: James Shields (12-10) LP: Henderson Alvarez (0-2)
HR: Evan Longoria 2 (24), Desmond Jennings (6), John Jaso (4), Brett Lawrie (5)
It was 2008 when the Rays spent a mere 11.25 million dollars to lock up this guy. With another season and a month to showcase or seduce Shields (CG, 7 H, ER, 12 K), performances like tonight's are likely to become even more common. Matt Joyce went 2-4, with a run scored.
-Longoria (2-4) finally paying dividends, has five homers in his last 13 at bats.
Reds 4 Nationals 3
WP: Francisco Cordero (5-3) LP: Collin Balester (1-2)
HR: Wilson Ramos (11)
SB: Fred Lewis (2)
Oddly enough, one of those pitching match-ups FA fishermen were salivating over. Both up for comeback player of the year, Dontrelle Willis (7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 K) and Chien-Ming Wang (6 IP, 6 H, ER, 4 BB, K) pitched solidly. D-train who went 3-3 tonight. After Friday NC repeat offender, Ramos (1-4) hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning, the Nats were in great position to take the first game of this series. But Cincinatti scored three times in the last four innings to go home with smiles.
Brandon Phillips (2-4, 2 RBI) extends his hitting streak to nine games while Todd Frazier (R, RBI) has his second consecutive two-hit night at the plate.
The most hovered FA out there, Stephen Strasburg, pitches Saturday at AAA Syracuse. I myself stashed him ten days ago. The only thing he can do to top T.J. Surgery is have a heart-attack from the immense pressure this kid faces. Rotowire reports Strasburg struck out 18 in 9.1 innings between two levels of A-ball.
Athletics 15 Red Sox 5
WP: Gio Gonzalez (11-11) LP: Tim Wakefield (6-6)
HR: OAK - Josh Willingham (23), Scott Sizemore (7), Dustin Pedroia (17), David Ortiz (26)
SB: Jacoby Ellsbury (36), Mike Aviles (13)
It was too late by the time Wakefield exited as the A's were already locked in. After tossing around A.L. West leading Texas, you would think the Sox could easily handle Oakland this weekend. Well, "the other" Wakefield (4 IP, 8 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) was on the mound and Oakland ate it up. As for Gonzalez, call him anything but indecisive, 6-9 in his last 16 starts, Gonzalez (5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) has been a shade of his commanding self in 2010.
The A's and Sox will play a doubleheader Saturday and avoid Hurricane Irene weather on Sunday.
Rangers 11 Angels 7
WP: Derek Holland (12-5) LP: Dan Haren (13-7)
HR: Howie Kendrick (12), Russell Branyan (4), Nelson Cruz 2 (28), David Murphy (6)
SB: Elvis Andrus (33)
Very different from last season, Mike Scioscia's putting all of his eggs in his August basket. Already sending Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver to the Texas mound on three days rest this weekend, the Angels needed a commanding performance from series opener Haren. Rather it was Haren's (4.1 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, BB, 3 K) opponent Holland (6.2 IP, 8 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K) that manned up tonight. Neither pen (LAA 3.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 5 K/ TX 2.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, K) endured the heat tonight. Nelson Cruz (4-5, 3 R, 6 RBI) was a beast, taking Haren deep twice in the first four innings. Michael Young (3-5, 2 R) and David Murphy (3-5, 2 K, R, 4 RBI) also had three-hit performances.
-Bobby Abreu (2-4, BB,R) Vernon Wells (2-3, R) and Kendrick (2-5,2 K, 2 R, 2 RBI) each had two hit nights in the loss.
-Adrian Beltre joins AAA-Round Rock Monday
Tigers 8 Twins 1
WP: Rick Porcello (12-8) LP: Scott Diamond (0-2)
SB: Ben Revere (24)
After going 6.1 IP in his major-league debut against Cleveland, hopes are high for Scott Diamond. But Diamond (6.1 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, BB, 3 K) was just outmatched by the Tigers lineup tonight. To add to the Twin killing was Porcello (6.1 IP, 7 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K), pitched with fairly solid command. Delmon Young (3-5, 3 RBI), Miguel Cabrera (3-4, BB, K), Victor Martinez (2-3, BB, 4 RBI) and Ryan Raburn (3-5, 2 R)
Diamondbacks 5 Padres 0
WP: Wade LeBlanc (8-8) LP: Josh Collmenter (2-3)
SB: Jason Bartlett (23), Willie Bloomquist (14), Ryan Roberts (16), Chris Young (19), Paul Goldschmidt (3)
If you think San Diego's best defense this week, was blocking San Francisco from claiming Heath Bell, check out Cameron Maybin's catch at the wall tonight. No, his line wasn't fiendishly impressive against the Padres, but for the fourth straight start, Collmenter (5 IP, 6 H, 4 K) allowed two runs or less. The Dbacks had LeBlanc's (4 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) number tonight. Ryan Roberts and Justin Upton (R) lead the way, going 2-3 in the win.
Dodgers 6 Rockies 1
WP: Ted Lilly (8-13) LP: Esmil Rogers (6-3)
HR: Carlos Gonzalez (24), James Loney (7), Matt Kemp (30)
It was the same old formula for the Rockies, Cargo provides a homerun, and the rest of the team falls weakly to the opposing pitcher. Lilly cruised through seven innings, scattering one run on three hits, while walking one and striking out five Dodgers. Rogers (6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) pitched fantastically, till the wheels fell off in the seventh inning.
-Matt Lindstrom came of the D.L. (again) and pitched an inning of quiet ball
White Sox 4 Mariners 2
WP: Jake Peavy (6-6) Charlie Furbush (3-6) S: Chris Sale (5)
HR: Brent Lillibridge (12), Miguel Olivo (16)
SB: Ichiro Suzuki (33), Juan Pierre (22)
- Pierre (2-4, 2 R) and Alex Rios (2-5, K, RBI) got things rolling for the White Sox in the top of the first inning.
-Sale (IP, H, 2 K) notched his third save this month, filling in for Sergio Santos, who has not pitched since August 20th.
-Both Suzuki and Franklin Gutierrez grabbed two hits in the loss.
Giants 2 Astros 1
WP: Madison Bumgarner (8-12) LP: J.A. Happ (4-15) S: Santiago Casilla (2)
For seemingly the first time this season, Happ stood up to the hype. Unfortuantely, Happ (6 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 BB, 2 K) decided to throw his first quality start since June 3rd against a more impressive Bumgarner (6.1 UP, 5 H, ER, 3 BB, 2 K). Although Chris Barmes' ground-out RBI in the 7th made the game 2-1, it was former Astros 2B Jeff Keppinger's game-winning two-run double in the fifth inning. Carlos Beltran went 2-3 with a walk tonight.
Mets 6 Braves 0
WP: Chris Capuano (10-11) LP: Tim Hudson (13-8)
Hopefully for the rebuilding Mets, Capuano can fit in another complete game slightly quicker than five years from tonight. July 6th of 2006 was the last time Capuano (CG, SHO, 2 H, 13 K) went the distance. As for 13 strikeouts, this was the first time in his career.
-Hudson (6.1 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) was outshined tonight.
-Angel Pagan (3-5, K, R), Ruben Tejada (3-5, R) and Lucas Duda (3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Due to Hurricane Irene, the rest of the series has been postponed to doublehead September 8th.