Asdrubal Cabrera Goes 5-for-5 for Indians; Hunter Pence Gets Houston a Series Win

Players of the Day for Sunday, May 22, 2011

American League

Asdrubal Cabrera

Having already inflicted severe psychological damage on most of the American League, the Cleveland Indians spent the weekend focused on the National League, specifically, making sure that everyone understood that the pride of Ohio was not to be found in Cincinnati, but along the shores of Lake Erie.

After beating the Reds, 5-4, on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday, the Indians took them out behind the woodshed on Sunday and delivered a rough, 12-4, beating.

Chief among the Cleveland offensive marvels was shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who went 5-for-5, punched out a pair of home runs, stole a base, scored twice and drove in five runs. Reds' hurlers couldn't keep Cabrera off the bases. Except for the 6th inning, there were men aboard every time he stepped to the plate. Cabrera's response to leading off the 6th was his second home run of the game.

Cabrera's two homers gave him nine on the season, and upped his RBI total to 32. Cleveland continues to dominate the AL Central standings. They maintained a seven-game lead, the largest in the majors.

National League

Upon completion of the first weekend of interleague play, the Houston Astros can celebrate having taken two of three from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hunter Pence

That may not be saying much, but for the last place Astros, winning a series against anyone is a step in the right direction.

Hunter Pence broke a 1-1 tie in the 5th inning with his 6th home run of the season, a two-run poke to left that gave Houston a lead they would not relinquish in their 3-2 win.

Pence also scored the Astros' first run, reaching on a fielder's choice and coming around to score in the third inning. In the 7th, he singled, completing a 2-for-5 day.

DIAMOND NOTES: After taking it on the chin the first two days of interleague play, the American League came back with a vengeance on Sunday, winning 10 and losing four, That left the two leagues dead even after 42 games this weekend, each league winning 21.

Overshadowed, but surely not to be forgotten: Rick Porcello had a no-hitter through five innings and finished with a 1-hitter over 8 innings as the Tigers dropped the Pirates, 2-0. Ronny Cedeno had Pittsburgh's only hit off Porcello, who improved to 4-2.

Tampa Bay remained tied with the Yankees in the AL East as James Shields threw a three-hit shutout in the Rays' 4-0 win over the Marlins. Shields (5-2) struck out 13 batters and issued only one walk.

Alexei Ramirez went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a home run as the White Sox whacked the Dodgers, 8-3. Ramirez scored twice and drove in a season-high five runs.