Juan Pierre, John Mayberry Help Phils Dominate Reds; Ryan Dempster, Texas Drop Orioles

Players of the Day for Monday, August 20, 2012

American League

Ryan Dempster

Since being acquired by the Rangers in a late July trade with the Chicago Cubs, Ryan Dempster has not always lived up to expectations.

In two key starts - against the Angels and Yankees - Dempster both times allowed nine hits and eight earned runs, evincing considerable consternation among the Texas brass and Ranger fans.

Monday's effort was a bit closer to what was expected: Dempster allowed four hits and only one earned run over eight solid innings, guiding the Rangers to a 5-1 win over the wild card-contending Orioles.

Fanning six while walking two, Dempster picked up his second win as a Texas Ranger, getting the three-game series with the visiting O's off to a strong start.

The win improved the Texas lead in the AL West to six games over Oakland. The A's dropped a 7-2 decision to the Twins.


National League

Sooner or later, somebody was going to cool off the Reds; suitably, the reigning NL East champion Phillies did it with a barrage of 15 hits in a 12-5 stomping to open a four-game series in Philadelphia.

John Mayberry

After Cincinnati opened up a 5-3 lead with three runs in the top of the fifth, the Phillies dashed the hopes of their visitors with four runs in the bottom of the inning and three more in the sixth, putting the game away early.

Juan Pierre

John Mayberry and Juan Pierre were the slugging stars for Philadelphia. Mayberry went 3-for-5 with two singles, and a sixth inning home run, driving in three and touhing the plate three times.

The speedy Pierre was 3-for-4, with a pair of singles and a double, two stolen bases, three runs and an RBI, raising his batting average to .312, though he doesn't have enough at-bats (311) to qualify amongst NL batting leaders.

Despite the loss, the Reds maintained their 6 1/2 game lead over the Pirates in the NL Central as Pittsburgh lost, 3-1, at San Diego.

The Reds, who had won three in a row and eight of their last nine before hitting the road to Philly, will try to get back on track when the series resumes Tuesday night.