Ian Kinsler and Michael Young Power Rangers; Matt Garza Shuts Out Brewers for 8 2/3

Players of the Day for Thursday, April 12, 2012

American League

The Texas Rangers are loaded with great hitters - think Adrian Beltre, Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz - but in Thursday's 5-3 win over Seattle, Texas needed only the first two guys in their lineup in order to get the job done, which was putting some distance between themselves and the second place Mariners.

Ian Kinsler

Michael Young

Ian Kinsler and Michael Young both went 3-for-4 and combined to score four of the Rangers' five runs and drive in all of them. Kinsler, batting in his usual leadoff position, had a pair of singles and a double, stole a base, scored three times and drove in a run, while Young, batting right behind him and playing DH for the day, drove in Kinsler each time he was on the basepaths with a couple of singles and and a two-run homer, tallying four RBI and scoring once.

While the rest of the lineup was apparently taking the day off - going a combined 3-for-24 - starter Derrick Holland picked up his first win of 2012, allowing two runs over seven innings. Mike Adams gave up another run in the ninth, but still picked up the save.

The Rangers are 1 1/2 games to the good over Seattle, having concluded the series in Arlington by taking three of four.

National League

The Cubs haven't had much to cheer about thus far, and, heading into the finale of their four-game series at Milwaukee were staring at being swept and starting off the season 1-6.

Matt Garza

Matt Garza came to the rescue with an outstanding job from the mound, throwing 8 2/3 innings of shutout ball on three hits to silence the Brewer bats, earning Chicago's second win of the season against five losses.

Garza allowed two base runners in the first inning on a single and a walk and issued a one-out walk in the second, but after that was lights out. From the third to the ninth inning, he didn't walk another batter and allowed just a pair of harmless singles, fanning nine while nearly going the distance in an 8-0 Cubs' romp.

Garza could have had the complete game shutout, but his own error (and a pitch count at 119), with two down in the ninth prevented him from finishing. Steve Camp came on to get the final out and send the Cubs out of Milwaukee with a much-needed win.

Matt Garza No-Hits Tigers; Joe Mauer Goes 5-for-5 with 7 RBI; Dan Uggla Leads Surging Marlins

Players of the Day for Monday, July 26, 2010 American League Tampa Bay has been relentless in their pursuit of the NY Yankees since being overtaken by them prior to the all star break. The Rays remained three games behind New York in the AL East on Monday thanks to the first no-hitter in Tampa franchise history, twirled by their ace Matt Garza in a 5-0 win over Detroit. While the Yankees were wrapping up a 3-2 win at Cleveland, down in Tampa, Garza was putting the finishing touches on a splendid pitching performance in which - thanks to a 5-4-3 double play that erased the only Tiger baserunner of the night, Brennan Boesch, who walked with one out in the second inning. After that Garza was the picture of perfection, setting down the next 21 straight batters for the fifth no-hitter in the major leagues this season. Garza (11-5) threw 120 pitches, of which 80 went for strikes. Striking out six, the only flaw was that 2nd inning free pass. In Kansas City, the Royals and Twins were playing an entirely different kind of game as the Twins sought to keep the pressure on front-running Chicago in the AL Central. Minnesota amassed 20 hits - including 7 doubles, 2 triples and 2 homers - in a 19-1 rout. A double and a three-run homer were part of the package Joe Mauer brought to the plate, going 5-for-5 with seven RBI and three runs, raising his batting average to somewhat pedestrian - for him, a three-time AL batting champ - .305. The Twins remained one game behind the White Sox, 6-1 victors over Seattle. National League The Florida Marlins hit a mid-season soft patch, but are putting together a nice second half run, winning their second straight and 8th of their last 11 since the all star break with a 4-3 win at San Francisco. The victory pulled the Marlins above the .500 mark - at 50-49 - and tied them with the Mets for 3rd place in the NL East, 7 1/2 games behind the Braves. Dan Uggla was instrumental in the win, banging his 19th home run of the season in the 4th inning and scoring on a sac fly in the 6th. Uggla went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. The Marlins used six different pitchers to fend off the Giants in the first of a fur game series.

Garza, Longoria Bury BoSox; Cantu Continues Hot Streak

Players of the Day for Thursday, April 30, 2009 American League Matt Garza (left) took a perfect game into the seventh inning and worked into the 8th, one-hitting the Red Sox as his Tampa Bay teammates piled up the runs in a 13-0 Rays victory. Garza (2-2) allowed an infield single by Jacoby Ellsbury to lead off the 7th. Other than that dribbler, he was lights out, later giving up a walk, but striking out ten in a dominating performance. Garza threw 108 pitches, of which 75 went for strikes. Leading the 18-hit Tampa attack was third baseman Evan Longoria (right), who opened the scoring with a first-inning, bases-loaded double off Boston starter Josh Beckett, and later singled and smacked a solo home run, driving in 4 runs and scoring three times. National League Jorge Cantu continued his hot hitting as the Florida Marlins topped the Cubs, 8-2, in 10 innings. Cantu got the Marlins on the scoreboard with a solo homer in the 7th inning, and doubled home three more as Florida struck for 6 runs in the top of the 10th. Over the last three games, Cantu has been on fire, going 6-for-10, stroking four home runs while piling up 10 RBI.

Garza Hurls Rays into World Series

Players of the Day from Sunday, October 19, 2008 NLCS: Tampa Bay 3 Boston 1 Game Seven of the ALCS came down to pitching, as Matt Garza outdueled Boston starter Jon Lester to lead the Rays to a 3-1 win over the Red Sox and a spot in the World Series to face the Philadelphia Phillies. Garza was nearly flawless through seven innings, allowing just a first inning home run to Dustin Pedroia, a single by Jason Bay in the seventh and three walks. Pedroia was the toughest batter against Garza. In 3 plate appearances he homered, was hit by a pitch and walked. When Jason Bartlett booted Alex Cora's grounder to lead off the 8th, Garza was relieved by Dan Wheeler. In the course of the inning, manager Joe Madden emptied his bullpen, using J.P. Howell and Chad Bradford before calling on rookie David Price with the bases loaded and two outs. Price didn't disappoint, striking out J.D. Drew to end the threat, and then getting the final three outs in the 9th. The Rays got their runs on an RBI double by Evan Longoria in the 4th, an RBI single by Rocco Baldelli in the 5th and a solo homer by Willy Aybar in the 7th. Garza recorded two wins over the Red Sox and was named series MVP. Notes: The World Series starts on Wednesday, October 22, at Tampa Bay.

Rays Pound Red Sox; Phillies' Late-Inning Homers Drop Dodgers

Players of the Day from Monday, October 13, 2008 ALCS: Tampa Bay 9 Red Sox 1 Matt Garza limited the Red Sox hitters to one run, working into the 7th inning and the Rays played long ball, knocking four homers as the Rays took a 2-1 lead in the ALCS with a 9-1 thumping of Boston at Fenway Park. The only run off Garza came in the bottom of the 7th inning when he walked Jason Varitek to open the inning. The Red Sox catcher moved to third on Alex Cora's single, and Garza was lifted for reliever J.P. Howell, who got Jacoby Ellsbury on a sac fly, scoring Varitek, then induced a double play grounder from Dustin Pedroia. Howell pitched through the 8th, allowing just a single by J.D. Drew before giving way to Edwin Jackson who mopped up in the ninth. The Rays got home runs from B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, Rocco Baldelli and Carlos Pena. Upton and Baldelli's blasts were three-run shots, while Longoria and Pena hit solo homers. Notes: The Red Sox are in serious trouble with game 4 set for Tuesday night at 8:07 pm ET. Two of their best pitchers - Josh Beckett and Jon Lester - have both been hammered by the Rays. Boston sends Tim Wakefield to the mound against the Rays' Andy Sonnanstine, who won the ALDS clincher over the White Sox on October 6. NLCS: Philadelphia 7 LA Dodgers 5 The Phillies displayed their plate power once more and took a commanding 3 games to 1 lead over the Dodgers when Shane Victorino (R) and Matt Stairs each launched 2-run bombs in the 8th inning to lead the Phillies to a 7-5 win over the Dodgers. The teams each had and surrendered leads in the game before the critical 8th inning outburst. Ironically, it was the Dodger's supposedly superior pitching that unraveled late in the game. Reliever Cory Wade gave up Victorino's blast and closer Jonathan Broxton gave up Stairs' game winner. LA has managed to score 5, 7, and 5 runs off Philly pitchers in the last three games, but have lost two of them. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8:22 pm ET. Game 1 winner Cole Hamels can wrap up the series for Philadelphia as he goes to the mound against LA starter Chad Billingsley.

Mound Moguls: Garza 2-Hits Texas; Webb Wins 18th

Players of the Day from Friday, August 15, 2008 American League Matt Garza is only 10-7, but he's had his fair share of big games this season. On Friday, Garza gunned down the American League's top hitting team, the Texas Rangers, shutting them out on 2 hits to lead the Rays to a 7-0 win. It was Garza's third complete game of the season and second shutout. He struck out 9 and walked just two, facing just three over the minimum. The win kept the Rays on top in the East, improving to a 3 1/2 game lead over Boston, as the Red Sox and Blue Jays were rained out.

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Notes: It may not be too early to begin wishing the New York Yankees a pleasant off-season, as they look unlikely to reach the playoffs. The Yanks dropped a 4-3 bomb to KC on Friday and are now 10 1/2 off the pace in the division and 7 games behind the Red Sox for the wild card. The Twins won and the White Sox lost, so the two are locked in on top of the Central division, both at 68-53. Horrors! The Angels lost their second straight game. Not to worry, they are 15 1/2 in front of Texas in the West. They should come around soon. National League Call him Mr. Consistency. Brandon Webb snapped Houston's 8-game win streak, holding the Astros to 2 runs on four hits over 8 innings as the Diamondbacks cruised to a 12-2 win. Webb (18-4) fanned 6 and walked just one batter as he became the first pitcher in the majors to reach the 18-win mark. Webb opened the season by winning his first 9 starts, and now has put up wins in his last 7 decisions. His last loss was nearly 2 months ago, on June 22.

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Notes: The Dodgers remained tied with Arizona atop the West with a 5-3 win over Milwaukee. The Cubs won their fifth straight and 9th consecutive road win, 6-5, at Florida, increasing their advantage in the Central to 5 1/2 games. The Cardinals beat Cincy, 5-3, and are two games behind the Brewers. In the East, the Mets and Phillies were both winners, so New York retains their 1-game edge in the division. The Marlins dropped 3 1/2 back.

Garza Stops Jays on 5 Hits; Zambrano Chills Brewers

Players of the Day from Tuesday, July 29, 2008 American League The Rays upped their lead in the AL East as Matt Garza twirled a 5-hit shutout at Toronto, topping the Blue Jays by a 3-0 score.

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Garza (9-6) outdueled Toronto's Roy Halladay (12-8), who allowed three runs on six hits over 8 innings, striking out 9. Garza fanned 5 and walked just one batter, allowing only one runner to second base as the Rays' infield turned three double plays. Notes: In Boston, the Angels took their second straight from the Red Sox, 6-2, as John Lackey (9-2) pitched a no-hitter for 8 1/3 innings before yielding a two-run homer to Kevin Youkilis in the 9th. The Sox have dropped 4 of their last 5 and will try to avoid being swept on Wednesday night. The Angels swept Boston in Anahiem just prior to the All Star break. Still, the Red Sox remain in close pursuit of the Rays, just 2 games behind. The Yankees lost their second straight at Baltimore, 7-6, as Aubrey Huff went 4-for-5, including his 32nd double and 22 home run, a solo shot. Huff drove in 4 runs, upping his season total to 71. In the Central, the Twins crept to within 1/2 game of the White Sox with a 8-5 win in Minnesota, topping the Sox for the second straight day. Jason Morneau delivered the key blow, a bases-loaded double in the 5th which plated 3 and gave the Twins a 5-4 lead. Morneau has 82 RBI on the season. National League Carlos Zambrano improved to 12-4, and the Cubs extended their NL Central lead to 3 games with a 7-1 win over Milwaukee. Zambrano gave up 5 hits and no runs over 8 innings, striking out 9 Brewers while walking just 2. The win was the second straight for the Cubs over Milwaukee, who are now 3 games behind in the standings, with St. Louis 4 back. The Brewers can make amends, as they host the Cubs on Wednesday and Thursday. Notes: In the East, the Mets topped Florida, 4-1, while the Phillies beat Washington, 2-1. New York holds a 1/2 game lead over Philly with the Marlins 2 games behind. Arizona and the Dodgers both won on exceptional pitching to keep the Diamondbacks one game to the good over LA. Jason Johnson stopped the Giants on 5 hits over 6 innings, leading the Dodgers to a 2-0 home win. In San Diego, Doug Davis allowed 2 hits while fanning 8 over 7 2/3 in a 3-0 Arizona win.

5-Hit Wonders Garza, Cook, Stymie Boston, Arizona

Players of the Day from Tuesday, July 1, 2008 American League The Rays topped Boston for the second straight day as Matt Garza virtually silenced the Beantown bats on five hits in Tampa Bay's 3-1 win over the Red Sox. Boston's only run came via a 4th inning J. D. Drew sac fly and was unearned. Other than that, Garza, who didn't walk a batter, continued his mound dominance. In his last start, Garza threw a one-hitter and over his last four starts (three of them wins) he's allowed 16 hits and 5 earned runs in 29 innings.

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The Rays expanded their lead over Boston to 2 1/2 games and 7 1/2 over the struggling Yankees. Tampa Bay is 5-0 against Boston at Tropicana Field this season. Notes: The Angels beat their only challenger in the West, the Oakland A's, 5-3, on Tuesday, to improve to 5-4 against the A's. The two teams play the rubber game of the 3-game set tonight in Anaheim and meet just six more times - in August and September - this season. If they hope to have any impact in the AL West race, the A's have to do better than play the Angels even. National League The Rockies got all their runs in one inning, but Aaron Cook had to work all nine for his complete game, 4-0 shutout over the punchless Padres. For Cook (11-5), the outing was the first shutout of his 6 year major league career and his 8th complete game. He allowed five hits, striking out four while walking none, throwing just 79 pitches (58 for strikes) and getting 15 outs on ground balls. Oddly enough, these two teams battled down to the wire for the NL West title last season. This game was all about which team would end up in last place. The Rockies are 9 games behind Arizona in the division; the Padres are 9 1/2 back. Notes: The Cubs and Cardinals both lost on Tuesday, making Milwaukee's 8-6 win over the Diamondbacks all the better. The Brewers are 4 1/2 behind the Cubs and just 2 back of St. Louis in the Central division struggle.

One Hit, Two Hit: Garza and Harden Dominate for American League

Players of the Day from Thursday, June 26, 2008 American League Matt Garza allowed just one hit - a seventh-inning solo home run by Hanley Ramirez - in a dominating, complete game, 6-1 win over Florida, completing a three-game sweep of the in-state series by the Rays. Garza (6-4) had a no hitter through six innings before giving up the leadoff blast to Ramirez, who smoked his 17th home run into the left center field stands. Unfazed, Garza retired the next nine batters in order, ending the game by getting Ramirez to ground out harmlessly to short. Garza struck out 10 and walked one. Notes: With the win, the Rays moved to within 1/2 game of the idle Red Sox atop the AL East. National League With the National League taking such a serious thumping from the AL in interleague play, it's only fitting to feature Rich Harden of the Oakland A's in this spot.

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Harden worked over the punchless Phillies on 2 hits over 8 innings, striking out 11 in the process as the A's downed Philadelphia, 5-0. Harden (5-0) threw 96 pitches, 64 of them for strikes. The A's took 2 of 3 from Philly. Notes: Just how bad a beating is the AL putting on the NL in this current round of interleague play which began June 13? Pretty bad. Over the past two weeks, the American League has won 112, the Nationals, 66. That's a winning percentage of 63%, currently good enough to win any divisional race. The teams go back to playing within their own leagues on Monday, June 30.