Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki Blast Reds; R.A. Dickey Hurls 8 1/3 Shutout Innings as Jays Top Giants

Players of the Day for Wednesday, June 5, 2013

American League

R.A. Dickey

Toronto is still nine games under .500, dead last in the AL East, 10 1/2 games out, but on Wednesday they got a boost from knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey, who blanked the Giants on two hits over 8 1/3 innings in a 4-0 Blue Jay win.

At 5-7, Dickey's had his troubles moving from the National to the American League (he pitched for the Mets until this season), so maybe interleague play suits his style, but whatever the case, San Francisco hitters couldn't get good wood on his knuckler except for a couple of harmless singles, one by Pedro Sandoval in the fourth, the other by Gregor Blanco with one out in the ninth. Dickey followed Blanco's hit by walking Marco Scutaro, which got him the hook from manager John Gibbons. Casey Janssen came on for the final two outs, earning his 12th save of the year.

Dickey walked two and struck out five, splitting the two-game series a game apiece. The Toronto hurler also help his own cause, driving in the Blue Jays' first run with a double in the fifth inning as Toronto scored all of their runs in the frame.

The Jays and Giants part company on Thursday, the Giants going to Phoenix for a three-game series with NL West leader, Arizona, while the Blue Jays head back home for a three-game set with the Texas Rangers, starting Friday.

The Giants dropped three games behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West. The loss to Toronto was their sixth in their last nine games.

National League

Tulo: 5-5, 2 HR

In a battle of divisional contenders, the rubber match of the three-game series between the Reds and the Rockies turned into a Colorado home-run derby as the Rockies banged out 20 hits and socked six homers in a 12-4 romp.

The Reds took the opener at home, 3-0, on Monday, but the Rockies came back with a 5-4 decision on Tuesday. Wednesday's finale started out well for the Reds, who had a 4-1 lead after the first inning, though that proved to be all they'd score of Jon Garland and a pair of relievers, while the Rockies hammered five Cincinnati pitchers, scoring multiple runs in the third, fourth, seventh and eighth innings.

Gonzalez: 3HR, 6RBI

Troy Tulowitzki went 5-for-5 with a pair of long-balls, a two run homer in the third and a solo shot in the eighth. While Tulo had an exceptional day at the plate, he was overshadowed by Carlos Gonzalez, who blasted three out of Great American Ball Park, driving in six runs with a solo shot, a two-run job and a three-run belt, giving him 17 homers on the season, second in the NL behind Domonic Brown, who smashed his 18th in the Phillies' 6-1 win over Miami. Tulowitzki is third in the league with 15.

The result left the Reds still very much in the hunt in the NL East, trailing the Cardinals by 2 1/2 games, while the Rockies leave Cincinnati with a 2-1 series win, also 2 1/2 games behind the West, where the Diamondbacks lead.

Today's Trivia:: Who led the majors in doubles for three straight seasons, 1984 though 1986? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: The Yankees' Derek Jeter is the current active leader in plate appearances with 11,895 trips.