Miguel Montero Leads Arizona over Seattle; Justin Masterson's Complete Game Keeps Indians in First

Players of the Day for Wednesday, June 20, 2012

American League

Cleveland hold onto first place in the AL Central, thanks to a complete game win by Justin Masterson, who struck out nine while holding the visiting Reds to three hits in a 7-1 Indians' victory.

Justin Masterson

Masterson (4-6) didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning and no Cincinnati runner reached second base safely until the eighth inning, when the Reds manufactured their only run of the game - unearned - on an error, double and ground out. Masterson finished in strong fashion fanning the final four batters he faced and didn't issue a walk the entire game.

With the White Sox blanking the Cubs, 7-0, Cleveland maintained their 1/2 game lead in the division and completed the sweep of Cincinnati, who are still 2 1/2 games clear of Pittsburgh in the NL Central.

National League

Miguel Montero

Arizona's Miguel Montero socked a two-run homer and added a pair of singles to go 3-for-4 with four RBI as the Diamondbacks pounded the Mariners, 14-10.

Montero's fourth-inning blast got the Diamondbacks to within one run of Seattle at 5-4, and they tied the score later in the frame. Scoring five in the fifth and four more in the sixth inning, the Diamondbacks pulled away from the visiting Mariners and ended their series taking two of three.

Arizona continues to struggle along in the NL West, a game under .500 at 34-35 and eight games behind the LA Dodgers.