Daniel Descalso Lifts Cardinals over Arizona in 12-8 Slug-fest; Adam Rosales, Yoenis Cespedes Lead A's past White Sox

Players of the Day for Thursday, June 6, 2013

American League

Adam Rosales

After the White Sox scored three runs in the third inning, the Oakland A's began chipping away, scoring single runs in each of the next four innings, tying the game at 4-4 as Chicago tacked on another in the fifth, but eventually winning the contest, 5-4, as Adam Rosales socked a solo homer in the top of the tenth off reliever Matt Thornton.

In the fifth, Rosales had doubled in a run, sandwiched in between solo shots by Yoenis Cespedes in the fourth and sixth, followed by another solo homer by Josh Reddick.

Yoenis Cespedes

For Rosales, the home run was his fourth of the year, and, coupled with Boston's 6-3 walk-off win over Texas on David Ortiz's three-run blast, the Oakland victory moved them to within 1/2 game of the Rangers in the AL West. Cespedes' pair of solo jobs were his 12th and 13th of the season, which leads the A's.

The series-opening win was Oakland's eighth in their last 10. With three more remaining against the struggling White Sox - losers in nine of their last 10 - the A's are hoping to overtake the Rangers by the end of the weekend.

Game two of the series goes off at 8:10 pm EDT in Chicago.

National League

The St. Louis Cardinals are keeping the pedal to the metal, keeping themselves clear of pursuing Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the NL Central.

Daniel Descalso

On Thursday, St. Louis scored eight times in the third inning, cruising to a 12-8 victory over the visiting Diamondbacks.

The two division leaders knocked out 30 hits (17 by St. Louis) in the slugfest finale of a four game series, split two games apiece.

St. Louis was led by Daniel Descalso, whose two-run homer highlighted the eight-run uprising. Descalso also singled twice and scored once more, going 3-for-4.

Roughed up was Arizona starter, Ian Kennedy, who allowed 10 runs on 13 hits over four innings of questionable mound work.

Despite the loss, the Diamonbacks leave St. Louis 2 1/2 games clear of the Giants and Rockies in the NL West. The Cardinals hold a three-game lead on the Reds and four over the Pirates.

Today's Trivia: Career-wise, who hit more home runs, Ernie Banks or Willie McCovey? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: "Donnie Baseball", Don Mattingly, led the major leagues in doubles three straight years (1984-86) with 44, 48 and 53, respectively.