Melky Cabrera Torches Zito, Giants, as Blue Jays Win 3rd Straight; Calos Gonzalez Goes 5-for-5 as Rockies' Belt Cubs

Players of the Day for Tuesday, May 14, 2013

American League

Melky Cabrera

San Francisco may have a 1 1/2 game lead in the NL West, but there are issues, one of which is the effectiveness of starting pitcher, Barry Zito, who was roundly pounded for 12 hits and eight runs (five earned) over 5 1/3 innings in a 10-6 rout at Toronto.

Zito's problems seem to be a function of road weariness. In his prior two road starts, he lasted only 2 2/3 innings in Milwaukee before going 3 2/3 at San Diego, making Tuesday's outing the longest of his last three away starts.

The troubles for Zito started with former teammate and leadoff hitter Melky Cabrera, who reached on an error and eventually scored in the first, then, later in the inning, drove in the last two of Toronto's six first inning runs.

Cabrera continued his assault throughout the game, singling in the fourth, singling and scoring in the sixth and doubling in another run in the seventh, finishing 4-for-5 and reaching base every time he went plate-ward.

Toronto banged out 18 hits in the win, its third straight, though they remain mired in last place in the AL East, 9 1/2 games behind the division-leading Yankees.

The Giants will try to earn a split in the two-game series Wednesday night in Toronto. Game time is 7:07 pm EDT.

National League

Gonzalez:
5-for-5, 2HR, 3RBI

The Rockies had a brief taste of first place earlier in the season, and, just two games out, appear to have an appetite for a full meal.

Knocking out Cubs starter, Christian Villanueva, on 12 hits and seven runs over five innings, the Rockies accumulated 17 hits in a 9-4 win at Chicago.

In the middle of their offensive assault was Carlos Gonzalez, who went 5-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs, a double, two singles, three RBI and three runs.

Gonzalez was a thorn in the Cubs' side all game long, his Tuesday performance a sign that, after two so-so seasons, he's regained the form from 2010, when he hit .336 with 34 homers and 117 RBI. Gonzalez currently is batting .313 with nine dingers and 22 RBI.

Colorado's win evened the three-game series with the Cubs at a game apiece. The rubber game goes off at 8:05 pm EDT at Wrigley Field.

Today's Trivia: The active strikeout leaders are both lefties and currently play for the same team. Who are they?

Yesterday's Answer: The two lefties in the top four all-time strikeout leaders are Randy Johnson (4875) and Steve Carlton (4136). Nolar Ryan is the all-time leaders with 5714 Ks; Roger Clemens is third, at 4672.