A.J. Griffin, R.A. Dickey Toss 2-Hitters for A's, Blue Jays; Neil Walker Homer Helps Pirates Tie Cardinals for NL Central Lead

Players of the Day for Wednesday, June 26, 2013

American League

R.A. Dickey

Toronto's R.A. Dickey and Oakland's A.J. Griffin matched each other Wednesday afternoon, each throwing two-hit shutouts for their respective wins.

A. J. Griffin

In Tampa, Dickey (7-8) used a fluttering knuckleball to baffle would-be Rays hitters, walking one and striking out six in a 3-0 whitewash, Toronto's 12th win in their last 14 outings.

Putting away the first 13 batters he faced, Dickey surrendered a one-out single to James Loney in the fifth, but snuffed him out on a force play. In the sixth, Yunel Escobar singled and was doubled up to end the inning. Desmond Jennings led of the seventh with a walk and stole second (the only Ray to advance past first base) but that was all, as Dickey set down the final nine batters in order.

Toronto avoided being swept in the three-game series with the win.

While Dickey was blanking the Rays, A. J. Griffin was doing the same to the Reds, striking out seven and walking two for a two-hit, 5-0, shutout, the first of his short career.

Walking two of the first three batters he faced, Griffin was off to a rocky start, but settled in, giving up hits in the fifth and seventh, and getting the final seven outs in order, evening his record at 6-6.

Griffin threw 73 of 108 pitches for strikes and fanned Reds' right fielder, Jay Bruce, four times.

The win kept the A's tied with Texas for first place in the AL West.

National League

Neil Walker

Pittsburgh won its sixth straight with a 4-2 win at Seattle, catching the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the NL Central in the process.

The Bucs improved to 48-30 on the season, tying St. Louis with the best record n the majors, atop the division. Pittsburgh has not been this many games over .500 since 1992, their last winning season.

To get to where they are, the Pirates had to overthrow a king, that being "King" Felix Hernandez, the ace of the Seattle staff and the 2011 AL Cy Young Award recipient, who fanned 11 over seven inning and did not figure in the decision. Neil Walker's fourth-inning, two-run homer gave the Pirates the lead, but Seattle scored single runs in the bottom of the fourth and seventh to tie the game at 2-all. Pittsburgh rallied for a pair of runs in the ninth off Seattle relievers, the final run coming on a wild pitch by Yoervis Medina.

Walker added a single to go 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Pittsburgh took both games in Seattle, finishing off their nine-game road trip with a 7-2 mark. After a day off Thursday, they open a home stand with three games against the last place Milwaukee Brewers.

Today's Trivia: Only once has a player from the Toronto Blue Jays won the AL MVP award. Who was it and in what year did he win it? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Pete Rose took home his only NL MVP Award in 1973.

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.

R.A. Dickey Throws Second Straight One-Hitter; Aaron Hill Hits for Cycle; Lonnie Chisenhall Leads Indians in 10-9 Win

Players of the Day for Monday, June 18, 2012

American League

Like it or not, interleague play has its effects on both leagues, and, not insignificant is what has happened in the AL Central, where the race has tightened up over the past two weeks.

Chisenhall: 3-4 3RBI

For the Cleveland Indians, playing the National League has had mixed blessings. After taking two of three from the Cardinals, Cleveland was swept by the Reds and lost two of three to Pittsburgh before opening their three games series at home against those same Reds with a wide-open, 10-9 victory.

It was only Cleveland's second win in seven games, but, because the White Sox were hammered by the Cubs, 12-3, the Indians find themselves only 1/2 game out of first place in the division.

Batting out of the bottom spot in the order, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall provided just enough of a spark with a single, triple and home run in four at-bats for the Indians to prevail.

Called up from AAA less than a month ago, Chisenhall's two-run homer in the second inning put the Indians up 4-3. After tripling and scoring in the fourth inning, his RBI single in the sixth broke a seven-all tie. He finished 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.


National League

R.A. Dickey and his tricky knuckleball are making history and Mets fans are loving it, as the crafty right-hander threw his second straight one-hitter in a 5-0 whitewash of the visiting Orioles.

Dickey: 1-Hitter

Dickey walked two, fanned a season high 13, and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, when Wilson Betemit delivered the only hit for the O's, a weak single to right field with two outs.

Dickey proceeded to get the final out of the inning and set down 13 of 14 to close out the game, walking Betemit in the eighth.

At 11-1, Dickey leads the majors in wins, his 2.00 ERA tied for the best with Atlanta's Brandon Beachy and his 103 strikeouts are equalled only by Detroit's Justin Verlander.

Hill: Cycle

Over the last 42 2/3 innings, Dickey has not allowed an earned run, and his back-to-back one-hitters make him the first major leaguer to accomplish the feat since Dave Steib did it for Toronto in 1988.

Ike Davis' grand slam in the sixth inning broke a scoreless tie and was more than enough cushion for Dickey's impressive outing.

In Arizona, the Diamondbacks won their series opener against Seattle, 7-1, as Aaron Hill hit for the cycle, scored three times and drove in a run.

Hill singled and scored in the first inning as the D'Backs posted three runs, tripled to lead off the third inning and scored again, doubled in the bottom of the fifth and capped his 4-for-4 effort with a solo homer in the seventh.

INTERLEAGUE SCOREBOARD: The American League continues to dominate their Naional League counterparts. On Saturday and Sunday, the AL won 10 and lost 4 for a combined 20-8 mark over the weekend. The NL won 5 to the AL's 3 on Monday, though it still left the American League with a seemingly-insurmountable lead, at 98-78. Interleague play continues through June 24.

Brian Matusz Hurls Baltimore Back into Tie for First; R.A. Dickey Shuts Out Cardinals

Players of the Day for Saturday, June 2, 2012

American League

With all five teams over .500 and within three games of each other, no division in the AL is more competitive than the East, where Baltimore tied Tampa Bay for first place with a gutty, 2-1 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field in Tampa.

Baltimore starter Brian Matusz evened his record at 5-5, giving up just two hits over 7 1/3 innings, and got little help from Tampa Bay when the Orioles scored the eventual game winner on a wild throw by third baseman Drew Sutton that allowed Mark Reynolds to trot home from third.

Brian Matusz

Matusz, who walked three but struck out seven, worked a no-hitter through four, but allowed the Rays' only run of the game in the fifth, when Sean Rodriguez doubled to lead off the inning and scored two batters later when Sutton reached on a fielder's choice. Matusz fanned the next two batters to get out of the inning and was lifted in the eighth with two aboard on an error and a walk.

The Orioles' relief staff did its job, though. Pedro Strop advanced the runners on a wild pitch, but then got Ben Zobrist to ground into an inning-ending double play after walking B.J. Upton to load the bases.

Jim Johnson delivered a flawless ninth inning to earn his 17th save of the season, tying him with Tampa's Fernando Rodney and Cleveland's Chris Perez for the most in the American League.


National League

R.A. Dickey: 8-1

R.A. Dickey used his trademark knuckleball to baffle Cardinals' hitters in a complete game win as the Mets stopped St. Louis cold in a 9-0 win, a day after Johan Santana punched out the Cards with a no-hitter.

Dickey scattered seven hits over his nine innings, but didn't walk a single batter while whiffing nine. He also aided his own cause when he reached on a bases-loaded error in the bottom of the second. The Mets tallied three runs in the inning, more than enough for Dickey to earn his 8th win against one loss, tying him with Philly's Cole Hamels and the Cardinals' Lance Lynn for the most in the majors.

The victory - the second straight over the Cardinals in the first two games of their four-game series - left the Mets tied for second with Miami, one game behind Washington in the NL East, as the Marlins topped the Philles, 5-4, and the Nats took down Atlanta, 2-0. Stephen Strassberg shut out the Braves over seven innings, striking out nine, for his sixth win.

The win was Dickey's first complete game and first shutout of the season. He has five complete games on his career MLB record, with three shutouts.

Hamilton, Cruz Batter Boston Bullpen; Dickey 1-Hits Luckless Phillies

Players of the Day for Friday, August 13, 2010 American League The Texas Rangers probably don't need any help in order to win the AL West division, but they'll take it when offered, like they did Friday night, from the imploding Boston pitching staff and bullpen. The Red Sox traveled to Arlington a night after blowing a 9th-inning, 5-2 lead in a 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays, evidence that Red Sox arms are tiring in the heat of the summer, but they got no rest in Texas, using eight pitchers in a 10-9, 11-inning loss to the Rangers. Boston scored seven times in the top of the 4th to take an early 8-2 lead, but starter Josh Becket, who hasn't been his usual self all season (3-2, 6.51 ERA), lasted only five innings, allowing single runs in the 1st and 2nd, two in the 4th and two more in the 5th as the Rangers began their rally. Boston scored another run in the top of the 7th, but Texas countered with two more in the bottom of the frame and eventually tied the game when Vlaimir Guerrero singled home Josh Hamilton (left), who crossed the plate for the 4th time in the 8th. Hamilton went 4-for-5 with a solo home run, two singles and a double, raising his outrageous league-leading batting average to .362. There was no further scoring by either team until the bottom of the 11th, when Nelson Cruz (right) took the first offering from Tim Wakefield into the seats in left field for a walk-off, game-winning home run, his 16th of the year. Cruz had been an earlier contributor as well, finishing the night 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs. The Rangers banged out 17 hits against the worn-out Boston staff, who face Texas twice more this weekend before getting a day off. Boston didn't lose any ground to the Yankees or Rays, both losers Friday. They trail New York by six games and are four behind the second-place Rays. Texas sports an 8 1/2 game lead over the Angels, with the A's another 1/2 game back in the AL West. National League Playing in New York at Citi field simply does not agree with Phillies' hitters. Pitcher Cole Hamels would rather not see the Mets again soon either. Hamels, who had the only hit off Mets' starter R.A. Dickey, lost his second straight 1-0 decision to the Mets. Last Saturday, he struck out 11 and allowed just one run over seven innings but was victimized by Johan Santana. On Friday, Dickey allowed only a 3rd inning walk to Wilson Valdez and Hamels' 6th inning single as the Mats blanked the Phillies for the 4th straight time at Citi Field. Back in May they shut them out three straight, outscoring them 16-0. Dickey, a knuckleballer, had the Phillies completely off-balance, striking out seven and getting eight groundouts and eight more outs on fly balls, mostly pop-ups and weak fliers. The Mets scored their only run on back-to-back doubles by David Wright and Carlos Beltran in the 6th inning and regained third place in the NL East, nine games behind front-running Atlanta. The Phillies dropped three games off the pace as the Braves topped the Dodgers, 1-0 in Atlanta. Dickey (8-5, 2.43) recorded his first shutout and complete game since 2003, when he was a starter for the Texas Rangers.

Young Leads Rangers to 10th Straight; Dickey 6-0 for Mets

Players of the Day for Wednesday, June 23, 2010 American League If the Rangers keep hitting the ball the way they have been, ten-game win streaks - like the one they're currently on - will become commonplace occurrences. Texas pounded a hopelessly-overmatched Pittsburgh team, 13-3, extending the longest winning streak in the majors to 10 games while maintaining a 3 1/2 game bulge over the Angels in the AL West. This game was over early as the Rangers scored all of their runs in the first four innings, led by Michael Young's exceptional 3-for-4 effort. Young, one of baseball's premier hitters, homered in his first-inning at bat, launching his 10th of the season, a two-run shot. He then singled and scored in the 3rd and doubled in a pair and scored again in the 4th inning. After that, he took a seat on the bench, his team comfortably ahead, his .315 batting average intact, along with his 49 RBI. Texas' 10 straight wins have all come against NL squads (Milwaukee, Florida, Houston, Pittsburgh), but they've been solid in both the hitting and pitching departments, outscoring their opponents 64-28 over that span. The Rangers look to extend their streak and complete their third straight series sweep Thursday night in Arlington. National League The Mets keep crowding Atlanta at the top of the NL East standings. Thanks to eight innings of shutout ball by R.A. Dickey, who improved his record to 6-0 in the Mets' 5-0 win over Detroit, Atlanta's lead is down to a scrawny 1/2 game. Dickey, who has only had seven starts this season, has been one of the Mets' most reliable hurlers. After losing his first start - May 19 - at Washington, Dickey has recorded a win in each start after that and is carrying a solid 2.33 ERA. Thursday's 8 innings were the deepest he's gone into a game, and the fur hits allowed the lowest total of his season. Dickey walked two batters and struck out four. He recorded 14 ground outs and retired just 5 batters on flies. The mets can claim first place in the division on Thursday with a win and an Atlanta loss. The Mets are looking for a three-game home sweep of the Tigers while the Braves try to avoid being swept by the White Sox in Chicago.