Aaron Harang Shuts Out Astros on Two Hits; Tyler Colvin Leads Rockies over Nats with a Pair of Homers

Players of the Day for Tuesday, June 11, 2013

American League

If not for J.D. Martinez, Aaron Harang would have had a no-hitter in Seattle's 4-0 win over the Houston Astros.

Harang: 2-hitter

And, if shortstop Brendan Ryan hadn't flubbed a grounder in the sixth inning, Harang would have pitched a perfect game.

However, Martinez did have a couple of singles - the only hits off Harang - and Ryan's error was inconsequential, so, in a game that's more about "what is" rather than "if's," Harang had to settle for a two-hit shutout, which isn't such a bad thing.

Despite his 3-6 record, Harang has had his moments this season, especially of late. On May 27, he threw a four-hit shutout against San Diego, fanning eight. In Tuesday's effort, he struck out a season-high 10.

There wasn't a great deal of drama in Harang's outing. Martinez got his first hit with two out in the second, so there was no expectation of a no-hitter.

Seattle could use a few more outings like Harang's (s could the Astros). The Mariners are third in the AL West, 10 games behind co-leaders, Oakland and Texas.

The win was Seattle's second straight over the Astros. The Mariners will be looking for the series sweep when they take the field Wednesday night at 7:10 pm PDT.

National League

In Colorado, everybody's getting into the swing of things.

Colvin: 2HR, 4RBI

Tyler Colvin socked a pair of two-run homers as the Rockies buried the struggling Nationals, 8-3, taking the series opener from their guests at Coors Field.

Colvin, recently recalled from AAA Colorado Springs, was playing in just his third big league game this season, but proved he belongs in the majors with a winning performance.

His fifth-inning homer tied the game at two and started a five run uprising, culminating in Carlos Gonzalez's 18th of the year, a three-run blast. Colvin homered again in the eighth with a man aboard to put the game out of reach.

The Rockies' win, combined with Arizona's loss to the Dodgers and the Giants' defeat at Pittsburgh, tightened the NL West race yet again. Colorado is a game behind the Diamondbacks. San Fran is another game back, followed by San Diego, five out and LA, 7 1/2 behind.

Colorado, winners of two straight and seven of their last ten, will look to take Washington (31-32) further below the .500 mark when they meet in game two of the three-game series, Wednesday at 8:40 pm EDT.

Today's Trivia: The record for saves in a single season is an incredible 62. Who set that mark? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Detroit's Justin Verlander was AL rookie of the year in 2006 and won the MVP award in 2011.

Aaron Harang Hurls Dodgers Back into First in West; Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera Boost Tigers

Players of the Day for Wednesday, July 4, 2012

American League

Justin Verlander

After losing the first two games of their four-game series with the Twins, the Detroit Tigers needed a win badly, and turned to their ace, Justin Verlander, to deliver a win.

Miguel Cabrera

Not only did the big righty produce a winning effort, but the Detroit power hitters backed him at the plate. Prince Fielder stroked a two-run double in the opening inning and Miguel Cabrera homered twice, drove in three runs and scored three times in the 5-1 Tiger win.

Verlander scattered four hits, the only run coming off the bat of Chris Parmalee, his fifth inning solo shot cutting the Detroit lead to one. Otherwise, Verlander demonstrated his usual dominance, going the distance for his ninth win against five defeats, fanning seven and walking just one.

Cabrera, after scoring in the first inning on Fielder's double, took matters into his own hands in the late stages of the game, socking a solo homer in the sixth and a two-run job in the seventh to complete a 3-for-3 effort. Cabrera has 18 home runs and 68 RBI, second in the league behind Josh Hamilton's 74.

Detroit remained in third place, 4 1/2 games back of the White Sox in the Central. The Tigers and Twins finish up their series Thursday afternoon in Detroit.

National League

Aaron Harang

The Dodgers conceded first place in the NL West to the Giants just a few days ago, but took it back on Wednesday with a 4-1 win over Cincinnati, who relinquished their lead in the Central to the Pirates.

Aaron Harang tossed seven innings of three-hit ball, allowing one run on Devin Mesoraco's solo homer in the fifth inning. Harang, staked to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, struck out five and walked just one to improve to 6-5. Ronald Belisario worked the eighth and Kenley Jansen the ninth, neither reliever giving up a hit. Belisraio struck out the side in his inning of work; Jansen fanned two, picking up his 14th save.

While the Dodgers were taking their second straight from the Reds, Washington defeated the Giants for the second straight time, 9-4, and Pittsburgh won its third straight over the Astros, 6-4, to grab a one game lead in the division.

The Dodgers lead San Francisco by 1/2 game in the West. LA heads to Arizona for four games with the Diamondbacks, leading up to the all star break.

Jeter Goes 5-for-5, Rolls Past 3000 Hits; Harang, De La Rosa Shine in 1-0 Dodger Win

Players of the Day for Saturday, July 9, 2011

American League

At exactly 2:00 pm EDT, #2, Derek Jeter took a 3-2 pitch from Tampa Bay starter David Price and deposited it in the stands beyond the Yankee Stadium wall in right-center field for his second hit of the game.

Jeter joins 3000 club

There was nothing particularly special about the 3rd inning homer - Jeter had homered 236 times before - except that it was the sparkling shortstop's 3000th career hit, a level reached by only 27 players prior to him. The fans at Yankee Stadium were sent into delirium at the feat and his teammates mobbed him as he crossed home plate.

After singling to lead off the 1st inning with hit #2999, and having tied the game at 1-1, there seemed to be nothing more for Jeter to do that would make his special day any more meaningful, but the thrills were just beginning.

In the 5th, Jeter doubled to lead off the inning and came around to score on Curtis Granderson's single, tying the game again at 3-3. Later in the inning, Robinson Cano's sac fly put the Yankees up, 4-3, as Granderson touched home.

Jeter singled again in the 6th, but the Yankees failed to score. In the top of the 8th, Tampa tied the game again, at 4-4. In the bottom of the frame, Eduardo Nunez - the heir apparent to Jeter's shortstop position - doubled to lead off the inning and was advanced to third on Brett Gardner's sacrifice bunt.

Already having gone 4-for-4, Jeter stepped up to the plate and to the moment, delivering a signature ground single through the middle of the drawn-in infield for the 5-4 game winner after Mariano Rivera retired the Rays in routine 1-2-3 fashion in the 9th.

Five hits in five at-bats, plus a stolen base, two runs and two RBI, including the game winner, was how Derek Jeter signed him name into the 3000-hit club, tying Roberto Clemente at 3000 and surging past him into 27th on the all-time list at 3003.

It was not just a special day; it was an incredible day for Derek Jeter, the fans and for baseball, because there is no more a stand-up player in the game today than Jeter, the permanent Yankee, the modest, soft-spoken fellow who always seems to be in the thick of the action with the clutch hit or the fielding gem.

After all the great Yankees before him - Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Jackson - Jeter stands alone as the only Yankee to ever reach the storied 3000-hit plateau. Further, Jeter becomes only the second shortstop to make the list, joining the legendary Honus Wagner (3420). Of players to homer for their 3000th hit, he joins Wade Boggs (a Yankee in his later years) as the only ones to do that, and Craig Biggio is the only other player to have gone 5-for-5 in the game in which 3000 hits was achieved.

Jeter is the 11th player to get all 3000 hits with one team, a list punctuated by Stan Musial, who had 3,630 hits for the St. Louis Cardinals, Carl Yastrzemski (3,419 for the Red Sox) and Cal Ripken (3,154 for the Orioles).

As he contends through the remainder of the season, Jeter will pass by some great hitters in the 3000-hit club. Al Kaline in next in line at 3007, followed by Wade Boggs (3010), Rafael Palmiero (3020), Lou Brock (3023), Rod Carew (3053), Ricky Henderson (3055) and Craig Biggio (3060). It's a stretch, but Jeter could pass Dave Winfield at 3110 for #19 on the career list, though that is maybe a story for next season.

Jeter has joined truly elite company with his milestone achievement. Hats off to number 2, the Yankee captain, shortstop Derek Jeter.

National League

Rubby De La Rosa

San Diego starter Aaron Harang was not at all pleased when he was pulled after six innings. After all, he was pitching a no hitter. The issue was the pitch count, which had already reached 95. Besides, the opposing pitcher, Rubby de La Rosa of the Dodgers, had only allowed one hit and the score was tied 0-0.

Harang sat, as did De La Rosa after six scoreless innings, allowing just the sole hit and four walks, while fanning eight. Harang had walked three and struck out six.

Aaron Harang

The relievers for the Padres and Dodgers each pitched no hit ball until the Dodgers went to bat in the 9th, still hitless, but, with two out in the frame, Luke Gregerson allowed the first Dodger hit of the game, a double by Jose Uribe, and then gave up the game winner, a single by Dioner Navarro, for the walk-off, 1-0, Dodger win, their third straight shutout victory.

The low-hit game - just three total - was the fewest allowed in a nine-inning game this season and harkens back to September 9, 1965, when Cubs LHP Bob Hendley pitched a one-hitter at Dodger Stadium and Sandy Koufax beat him, 1-0, with a perfect game.

Mound Masters: Bedard, Harang, Lohse Dominant

Players of the Day for Sunday, April 12, 2009 American League Acquired from Baltimore following the 2007 season, Seattle's Erik Bedard was part of a 2008 season chock full of disappointment, spending much of the season on the DL, while still going 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA. Now recovered from shoulder issues, the left-hander worked 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball in his second start of the season, helping the punchless Mariners slip past Oakland, 1-0. Bedard, who allowed only 3 hits and one walk, struck out 7 for his first win of 2009. National League Two starters tossed complete-game shutouts on Sunday, so they both get a share of player of the day honors. Kyle Lohse (left) earned his second win of the season with a 3-hit gem against Houston, leading to a 3-0 St. Louis win. Lohse didn't walk anyone and struck out 4 batters. His ERA dropped to 1.13, while the WHIP came down to a minuscule 0.56. In Cincinnati, the Reds scored two first inning runs and starter Aaron Harang (right) made them stand up, blanking the Pirates for the duration and the 2-0 Reds' win. Harang evened his record at 1-1, allowing 3 hits without a walk while fanning 9 Pirates, including Nate McLouth 3 times. The 6'7" San Diegan threw 80 of 108 pitches for strikes, lowered his ERA to 0.64 and is just 8 Ks away from 1000 for his career.

Vidro boosts Mariners, Atkins powers Rockies

American League Boston 9 LA Angels 6 - The Red Sox won a crucial game and avoided being swept by the Angels as Mike Lowell went 4-4 and Dustin Pedroia broke a 6-6 tie in the 7th inning with his 6th home run of the season. The Boston bullpen shut down the Angels for the final 4 innings, with Jonathan Papelbon earning his 26th save. NY Yankees 4 Toronto 15 - Earlier in the evening, the Yankees were shocked back to reality by the Blue Jays, who snapped New York's 5-game win streak, hammering out 16 hits, sending Chien-Ming Wang to the showers after just 2 2/3 innings. Wang (13-6), allowed 9 hits and 8 earned runs in his shortest start of the season. Vernon Wells (right) went 3-4 with 4 RBI. The loss dropped the Yankees back to 6 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East. Seattle 8 Baltimore 4 - The Mariners tied the Tigers for the wild card lead as Detroit, New York and Cleveland all lost. Jose Vidro went 3-3 drove in four runs and scored twice, belting a 2-run homer and a pair of sac flies. Other AL Scores Cleveland 4 Chi White Sox 6, 13 innings Tampa Bay 7 Detroit 1 Oakland 6 Texas 3 Minnesota 11 Kansas City 4 National League Milwaukee 4 Colorado 19 - The Rockies took over third place in the NL West, pounding out 23 hits against the slumping Brewers. Garrett Atkins (right) went 4-4, including a pair of doubles, and drove in six runs. Colorado won their third straight while the Dodgers lost their sixth in a row. The Rockies are 4 behind Arizona in the division. Second place San Diego is 2 back. Prince Fielder knocked his league-leading 34th home run for the Brewers. LA Dodgers 0 Cincinnati 1 - The Dodgers, who were in first place just a week ago, lost their sixth straight and have been on the losing side of the ledger in 13 of their last 17 games. Their second straight loss to the Reds was also the third straight game in which they failed to score, having lost to Arizona, 3-0, on Sunday. The Reds won 4-0 on Tuesday and Wednesday's shutout was delivered by Aaron Harang (11-3), who worked the Dodgers over for 8 innings, allowing 4 hits while fanning 8. David Weathers pitched a perfect ninth for his 22nd save. Atlanta 3 NY Mets 4 - The Mets rallied for 2 runs in the 7th and Moises Alou capped the comeback with a solo homer in the 8th, expanding New York's NL East lead over the Braves to 4 1/2 games. With Atlanta losing, Philadelphia slipped into 2nd place in the division, 4 back. Florida 4 Philadelphia 6 - The Phillies won their third straight as Aaron Rowand socked his 18th home run, a two-run shot in the sixth that put the Phillies ahead to stay. Pittsburgh 6 Arizona 10 - Chris Snyder drove in four runs with a double and 2-run homer as the Diamondbacks extended their lead in the West to 2 games over the Padres. Arizona has been red hot, going 14-3 since July 20. Other NL Scores Chi Cubs 2 Houston 8 San Diego 1 St. Louis 2 Washington 0 San Francisco 5 - B. Bonds, 2-run HR (757)