Colby Rasmus, Matt Andriese Deliver In 4-0 Rays Win; Tommy Joseph Saves Phillies In 2-1 Win Over Rockies

Players of the Day for Thursday, May 25, 2017

American League

After losing the first two games of their four-game series with the visiting Angels, Tampa Bay got back to .500 (25-25) and dropped the Angels to an even 25-25 by winning the third and fourth games, 5-2 on Wednesday and 4-0 on Thursday.

Andriese: Strong 8 innings

While starter, Matt Andriese, was holding LA at bay for eight scoreless innings, Colby Rasmus was knocking in all of Tampa's runs, singling in a pair in the first and doubling home the same two guys - Cory Dickerson and Evan Longoria - in the fifth.

For Andriese (5-1, 3.24), the game was likely his best of the year thus far, scattering six hits and a pair of walks, fanning five. Another comparable performance for the 27-year-old righty was May 4, when he blanked Miami on seven hits over seven innings, walking three, striking out eight, in a 5-1 Rays victory.

Rasmus: 4 RBI

Andriese has picked up wins in four of his last five starts, without a loss.

The Rays are now five games behind the Yankees in the AL East and head to Minnesota on Friday, looking to extend their win streak to three games when they met the first-place Twins in the first of three at 8:10 pm ET.

National League

The Phillies finally figured out how to beat the Rockies, though it took them four games to do so.

Philadephia ended a for-game winning streak by Colorado and avoided being swept at home by the Rockies with a 2-1, 11-inning victory Thursday.

Their method was to use seven pitchers (even though starter Vince Velazquez pitched well enough to win - but got no decision - allowing one run over five innings) and make sure second-year first baseman, Tommy Joseph, got to the plate often enough.

Joseph keys Philly win

Joseph went 2-for-5 and drove in both of the runs for the Phillies, homering in the seventh inning to tie the game and delivering the game-winner with a single that scored Michael Saunders from second with one out in the bottom of the 11th.

Joseph's home run was his seventh and the two RBI for the game gave him 22 on the year. He's batting .255.

The Phillies ended the day tied with Miami for last place in the NL East, both teams 11 1/2 behind runaway leader Washington. Despite the loss, Colorado maintained first place in the NL West, though their lead over the Diamondbacks was trimmed to one game.

Philly stays put, opening a three-game series with the Reds on Friday, while the Rockies return home after a successful road trip (8-2) to play the Cardinals in three games over the weekend.

Max Scherzer Fans 17, Tosses Second No-Hitter of Season; Colby Rasmus Keeps Houston on Pace for Playoffs

Players of the Day for Saturday, October 3, 2015

American League

Scherzer: 2nd No-Hitter

Rasmus: 2HR, 2RBI

The AL wild card race continues to confound and confront the NY Yankees, despite having already clinched one of the two spots.

Baltimore took a double-header at Camden yards from the playoff-bound Yanks, taking the first game in a laugher, 9-2, and the second game on a mistake-filled eighth inning that saw the Orioles score the game winning run on a bloop single, a bunt single and two wild pitches from reliever Delan Betances, for the 4-3 win.

The Yankees have dropped five of their last six, and need just one win or a Houston loss to claim home field for the wild card game on Tuesday.

The AL West became even more confused as the Angles scored five runs in the ninth to overtake the Rangers, 11-10, leaving Texas one game up on the Astros after Houston whipped the Diamondbacks, 6-2. LA is two games back but still alive in the wild card.

Colby Rasmus slugged a pair of homers and drove in two runs in Houston's win. The Astros face the Diamondbacks in Arizona at 3:10 pm EDT to complete the regular season. A Houston win assures the Astros of being in the playoffs, either as a wild card or as champions of the AL West, pending a one-game playoff with the Rangers, which would purportedly be played on Monday.

National League

With the Mets in the playoffs and the Nationals playing out the string and making vacation plans, Washington took a small measure of revenge on their NL East rivals, sweeping a doubleheader, 3-1, in the opener and 2-0 in the nightcap, the latter, notably, the second no-hitter of the season for Max Scherzer.

Once again, Scherzer flirted with a perfect game, the only mar on his otherwise gemstone-perfect performance a sixth inning throwing error by Yunel Escobar. Scherzer fanned a season-high and franchise record 17, needing 109 pitches for the complete game win, improving his record to 14-12. Down the stretch, Scherzer was simply untouchable, notching nine straight strikeouts from two outs in the sixth until two down in the ninth. Curtis Grandson ended the game with a pop-up to third.

Washington scratched out a couple of runs in the 6th and 7th innings, the first on an RBI single by catcher Wilson Ramos. Dan Uggla socked a solo homer in the seventh.

Scherzer joined Nolan Ryan, Virgil Trucks, Allie Reynolds and Johnny Vander Meer, who pitched two in a row, as the only pitchers in MLB history to throw two no-hitters in the same season. His first no-hitter was against Pittsburgh on June 20. In that game, a hit batsman (Jose Tabata) kept him from perfection.

Washington and the Mets wrap up the regular season on Sunday at 3:10 om EDT.

Meanwhile, the Cubs and Pirates were attempting to sort out the wild card, but the Cincinnati Reds kept the two from finalizing which would have the better record and host the one-game playoff on Wednesday.

Cindy broke a 12-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory at Pittsburgh, while the Cubs got six strong innings from Kyle Hendricks (1 hit, 0 ER) and three relievers for a 1-0 win at Milwaukee. The results left Pittsburgh with a one-game lead over Chicago with one game to play. Both teams are in action on Sunday. A Chicago win and a Pittsburgh loss would produce a tie for the wild card and the Cubs would host the game at Wrigley field. A Pittsburgh win or a Cubs loss would put the game in Pittsburgh.

Barry Zito, Pablo Sandoval Instrumental in 8-0 Rout of Dodgers; Jays' Colby Rasmus Continues Hot Streak

Players of the Day for Monday, June 25, 2012

American League

It was back to regular play on Monday, with interleague games ending for the two leagues Sunday.

Getting right into the swing of things were the Toronto Blue Jays, who wound up in last place in the AL East during the interleague session, going 7-8 against National League teams.

Red-hot Rasmus

Desperate to get back into the race, the Blue Jays opened a three-game series in Boston with a 9-6 victory, tying themselves with the Red Sox at 38-35, 6 1/2 games behind the division-leading Yankees.

Colby Rasmus, who came over to the Jays late last season from St. Louis, continued to provide a solid punch at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run (11), two singles, three RBI and a couple of runs. Rasmus got the Jays off to a fast start with a two-run shot in the first as Toronto put a four-spot on the board in the opening inning.

After Boston tied the game at five, the Blue Jays put them way with long balls. J.P. Arencibia launched a two-run blast in the sixth and Jose Bautista finished the job with his 24th homer of the season, taking sole possession of the league lead with a two-run blast that plated Rasmus, who was aboard after singling to lead off the inning.

Rasmus has been one of the hottest hitters in either league recently, hitting safely in eight of his last nine games, with a .410 average (16-for-39), five homers and 15 RBI.


National League

Zito: 7 scoreless

With interleague games out of the way, the Giants and Dodgers got right at it, opening a series that may go a long way toward determining dominance in the NL West.

Sandoval: 3-for-3

The Giants took early advantage, opening the three-game set with an 8-0 win at home to pull to within two games of the Dodgers in the division.

Barry Zito blanked the visitors on three hits over seven innings, allowing three walks and striking out four. With Zito determined on the mound, Pablo Sandoval led the offense with a 3-for-3 effort, two doubles, three RBI and a pair of runs.

Raising his average to .315, the svelte Sandoval doubled home a pair of runs in the Giants' four run first, knocked in another with a sac fly in the second that put the Giants up, 7-0, and scored the final run on Hector Sanchez's double in the fifth.

San Francisco pounded LA starter Nathan Eovaldi (0-4) for ten hits and all eight runs and can tie the Dodgers - who have led the division almost all season - for the top spot with a series sweep.

CORRECTION: Yesterday, Baseball on Deck put the final interleague tally at 140-110 in favor of the AL, but checking up with MLB, the actual total should be 142-110. Somewhere, we missed a couple of games, and regret the error.

Rasmus Triples Twice for Cardinals; Eric Hosmer Leads KC Past Rangers

Players of the Day for Friday, May 27, 2011

American League

Eric Hosmer

Before Eric Hosmer even stepped foot onto a major league diamond, the raves were already coming. Judged the best prospect in the Royals' farm system, the KC brass could not keep him in AAA ball as he was hitting .439 with a 1.107 OPS with Omaha in the Pacific Coast League.

Since joining the Royals as their everyday first baseman, the 6'4", 230-lb. rookie has done nothing but impress. In Friday's 12-7, 14-inning win at Texas, Hosmer made yet another statement that he's here to stay, going 4-for-7 with a home run, double, two singles, four RBI and two runs. About the only thing he didn't do was sell hot dogs in the stands.

Since joining the Royals earlier this month, Hosmer is batting .284 with 4 homers and 11 RBI and has made the Royals respectable. Although Cleveland has a six-game lead in the division, Kansas City is hanging on in third place, 8 games back with Detroit is two games ahead of them.

Should the Indians stumble, Hosmer and the Royals will be there to pick up the pieces.

National League

This is probably not the best time for the Rockies to be hosting a three-game series with St. Louis.

Colby Rasmus

Once holding a healthy lead in the NL West, Colorado has hit the skids hard, losing seven of their last eight and the Cardinals made it four straight, beating the Rockies 10-3 win to open the series.

St. Louis jumped all over starter Ubaldo Jiminez, dropping him to 0-5 with 12 hits and six runs over six innings. The chief tormentor was center fielder Colby Rasmus, who singled twice and tripled off Jimenez, then added a two-run triple in the seventh to cap a 4-for-5 night with three RBI, two runs and a steal.

Rasmus has five triples already this season and is batting .287. The win put the Cardinals 3 1/2 up on Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Rockies continued slide has them four games behind San Francisco in the NL West. Arizona has taken over second place, 1 1/2 out.

Damon Smokes Sox; Rasmus Keeps Cardinal Hopes Alive

Players of the Day for Thursday, September 9, 2010 American League While it may seem petulant and slightly mean-spirited, the Detroit Tigers, themselves all but eliminated from post-season contention, are making sure their AL Central rivals, the White Sox, watch the playoffs from their living rooms as well. Detroit and Chicago completed a four-game series in the Motor City and, after losing the first game, the Tigers came back to win the next three, seriously dampening Chicago's hope of catching the Twins, who suddenly lead the division by six games. Johnny Damon, who turned down trade offers earlier in the season and stayed with Detroit, went 4-for-4 as the Tigers took a 6-3 decision. Damon scratched out four singles, the first of which drove in Detroit's initial run, plating Austin Jackson in the bottom of the first inning. It was Damon's only RBI of the game, but he scored twice, crossing home plate in the 3rd and 7th innings. Detroit isn't done punishing the White Sox just yet. The two teams meet again for the last time this season in a three game series at Chicago, September 17, 18 and 19. National League In the midst of a losing streak a few weeks ago, Colby Rasmus attracted the attention - and ire - of teammate Albert Pujols when he mentioned something about wanting to be traded. Pujols responded that if he didn't want to be in St. Louis, he should go. Well, Rasmus didn't go anywhere, the two may have patched things up, but Rasmus provided starter Adam Wainwright with enough offense to win his 18th game of the year, going 4-for-4 with a pair of homers as the Cardinals stomped the Braves, 11-4. Pujols hit his 37th home run of the season to put the Cards up, 7-3, and after that it became the Rasmus show as the outfielder homered in the 5th, drove in two more with a single in the 6th and hit his second solo homer of the night in the 9th. The win, coupled with the Reds' 5th straight loss, has the Cardinals back in the hunt for the NL Central, just five games behind the Reds and four games behind in the loss column. Cincinnati spent their day losing the 4th straight to the Rockies, who've won seven in a row and have sliced into San Diego's lead in the West. The Giants topped the Padres, 7-3, and trail by just one game. Colorado is just 3 1/2 off the pace as the season winds down to the final three weeks. Idle Philadelphia benefitted from Atlanta's demise, picking up a half game to lead by one in the NL East.

Thames Delivers for Yankees; Wainwright, Rasmus Lead Cards Back to First Place

Players of the Day for Wednesday, August 11, 2010 American League Marcus Thames must feel like the forgotten man. Seldom having had the opportunity to play full time - either with the Tigers or his current team, the Yankees - Thames doesn't make any noise about playing time; he just goes out and does his job. While the Yankees made moves to acquire Austin Kearns and Lance Berkman recently and amid talk that the Yanks are looking for yet another bat in their lineup, Thames quietly rode the bench and got his chance Wednesday night, replacing Mark Teixeira in the 3rd spot in the lineup while the regular first baseman was with his wife as she gave birth to the couples third child. Thames took the DH spot, while Berkman played first, and the slugging righty made the most of the opportunity, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs and two RBI, including the go-ahead RBI single in the 9th that won the game, 7-6. Having an excellent year at the plate despite getting only 114 at-bats this season, Thames upped his average to .321. The Yankees only need to look at Thames' stats from the two years he had the most playing time - both with Detroit. In 2006 he hit 26 homers and drove in 60 runs in 110 games. In 2008, he had 26 jacks and 56 RBI in 103 games. The win kept the Yankees 1 1/2 ahead of Tampa Bay and 5 up on the charging Red Sox, who have won three straight. National League St. Louis completed their sweep of the Reds in dominating fashion, taking over sole possession of first place in the NL Central, as Adam Wainwright (left) and Colby Rasmus (right) led them to a 6-1 win at Cincinnati. Wainwright was locked into a scoreless pitcher's duel with Brandon Arroyo when Rasmus provided a winning blast - a grand slam dead-center jack that put the Cards up 4-0. Rasmus also singled and scored the last of the Cardinal runs while Wainwright dominated the Reds, allowing just two hits over seven full innings without a walk, getting 14 of his 21 outs on ground balls. He struck out 4, improving his record to 17-6, tying Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez for the most wins in the majors. The win completed the three game sweep which brought the Cardinals from two games down in the standings to one game ahead of the Reds and in command of the division which they have dominated the past decade.

Thames Hammers Brewers; Ludwick, Rasmus Lead Cards

Players of the Day for Friday, June 19, 2009 American League The Tigers beat back the Brewers, 10-4, in a rain-shortened, 7-inning affair in Detroit which featured a pair of two-run home runs by one of baseball's hardest-hitting batters, the seldom-used Marcus Thames. Thames got the scoring started with a bomb in the first with Curtis Granderson aboard and capped the night with a another mash in the seventh, this time with Miguel Cabrera on base. Having played in just 19 games this season, Thames has 3 homers in his 54 at-bats. He missed much of the season with a strained rib cage and has suffered assorted injuries in his five years in the bigs. When he's otherwise healthy or in the lineup, he's a bona fide masher. Of his 327 career hits, almost half - 163 - have been for extra bases. Thames has knocked 67 doubles, 3 triples and 93 home runs in his major league days. The Tigers remained 2 games ahead of the Twins in the AL Central with the win, their second straight and first in their weekend series hosting the Brewers. National League Colby Rasmus (left) went 4-for-5 and Ryan Ludwick (right) smashed his first career grand slam as the Cardinals downed the Royals, 10-5, in Kansas City. Rasmus doubled and stroked three singles, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs as the Cards pounded out 14 hits. Ludwick only had one hit in his four at-bats, but it was a big one, produced after the KC brain trust decided to walk Albert Pujols to load the bases in the third inning. Ludwick's four-run blast was just the first of three homers in the frame. After his bomb, Rick Ankiel and Kahlil Greene hit back-to-back solo shots. With Milwaukee losing to Detroit, the Cardinals gained to within 1/2 game of the NL Central leaders. By the end of the weekend, the Cardinals, who play KC twice more, may find themselves atop the division. NOTES: Break up the Nats! The Washington Nationals took the final two games of their series with the Yankees and went up to Toronto on Friday to take the opener of their three-game series, 2-1, in 11 innings. It marked the second time this season that the Nationals have won 3 straight, the other back in May, when they took the finale in LA and then went to Arizona to take the first two games of their series. If the Nats win on Saturday, it will be the longest winning streak of their season. Meanwhile, a couple of teams that are truly hot reside in - of all places - the NL West, for years one of the weakest divisions in baseball. The Rockies won their 3rd straight and 14th of their last 15, with a 7-3 win over Pittsburgh. Colorado is finally over the .500 mark, at 34-33, 9 1/2 behind the Dodgers in the division. Just ahead of them, the San Francisco Giants - 8 games back - have been pretty good since late May, posting a 16-9 record recently to put themselves into at least a widl card contending position and with a possibility of running down the Dodgers.