Max Scherzer Fans 12 in 5-0 Detroit Victory; Pedro Alvarez Leads Pirates with 6 RBI

Players of the Day for Sunday, June 17, 2012

American League

Scherzer: 8IP 0ER 12K

Talk about two teams going in opposite directions: The Detroit Tigers won for the sixth time in their last eight outings, topping the Colorado Rockies, 5-0, as Max Scherzer (6-4) scattered seven hits over eight innings and fanned 12 without walking a batter, sending Colorado to their 10th loss in the last 11 games.

Scherzer threw 89 of 122 pitches for strikes and was pulled after eight full innings, having given it his all, setting down 10 of the last 11 batters he faced. Brayan Villarreal mopped up with a perfect ninth inning to preserve the win.

Scherzer's strikeout total reached an even 100, three behind teammate Justin Verlander, who leads the league.

The Tigers picked up a game on both AL Central leader Chicago and second place Cleveland and are just three games off the pace, with the Indians 1 1/2 ahead.

Both teams get a day off on Monday. Colorado heads to Philadelphia for a three game series starting Tuesday, while the Tigers continue their home stand with three against St. Louis.


National League

Pittsburgh continues to hang tough in the NL Central, taking two of three at Cleveland with a 9-5 victory over the Indians on Sunday.

Alvarez: 2HR, 6RBI

The Pirates took over sole possession of second place in the division, four back of Cincinnati, winners of six straight. St. Louis dropped to five behind, losing to Kansas City, 5-3, in 10 innings.

Pittsburgh got the bulk of their offense from third baseman Pedro Alvarez, who socked a pair of three-run homers and added a double to go 3-for-4 with six RBI.

Cleveland remained 1 1/2 behind the White Sox in the AL Central. It won't get any easier for the Indians as they host a three-game series with the Reds, starting Monday.

The Pirates return home for a six game home stand beginning Tuesday, with three against the Twins, followed by a weekend series with the Tigers.