Homer Bailey Shuts Down Brewers as Reds Roll, 9-1; Chris Davis Belts #45, Goes 4-for-5 in Oriole Victory

Players of the Day for Sunday, August 18, 2013

American League

Chris Davis

It wasn't until just after midnight Sunday that the Boston Red Sox fell to the Yankees, 9-6, but earlier in the day, the Orioles had topped the Rockies, 7-2, the net result a full game pick-up in the standings for Baltimore, still in third place, 4 1/2 games behind front-running Boston.

Chris Davis had another MVP-like game, going 4-for-5 with two singles, a double, his 45th home run of the season, three runs and two RBI, staying five ahead of Detroit Miguel Cabrera in home runs and five behind him in RBI, at 115.

The Orioles wrapped up their home series, winning two games to one, and prepare for their crucial series with second place Tampa, starting Monday at 7:05 pm EDT in Baltimore.

National League

Homer Bailey

Cincinnati is making some serious noise in the NL Central division, winning nine of their last 12 to pull to within 2 1/2 games of division leading Pittsburgh, their latest triumph a 9-1 stomping of the Brewers to complete their four-game series in Milwaukee with a 2-2 split.

Reds' starter, Homer Bailey, was in top form, allowing three hits over eight innings of work, walking one and striking out eight, the Brewers only run coming on a solo homer in the fifth off the bat of left fielder Khris Davis.

The win was the third straight for Bailey, from four starts, throwing 82 of 118 pitches for strikes, improving his record to 8-10.

Heading back home, the Reds open a four game series with Arizona starting Monday night at 7:10 pm EDT.

Today's Trivia: Who lead their league in strikeouts more times, Randy Johnson or Roger Clemens? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Babe Ruth set the mark for most total bases in a season at 457 in 1921.