National League
Yesterday, we took a quick look at the American League, so today it's the senior circuit in view after nearly two weeks of play.
Mets Hold Slim Lead in East
With their 6-3 win at Atlanta Thursday, the Mets leapfrogged over the idle Phillies into first place in what appears to be baseball's most contentious division. The only team likely to be out of it by August 1 or sooner is the Miami Marlins, though with the Braves, Mets, Nats, and Phillies all flawed to some extent, that's not exactly a surety.
New York is just 1/2 game to the good over the Phillies, who did themselves loads of good in the off-season, snatching up the biggest free agent prize in Bryce Harper among other pick-ups, including All-Star infielder Jean Segura. The deal sent first baseman Carlos Santana and shortstop J.P. Crawford to Seattle.
Segura was one of the top hitters in the AL last season, notching a .304 batting average. A sure-handed fielder, Segura fills a big hole in Philadelphia at short, though he's unlikely to add much power. He hit just 10 homers last season with 63 RBI. Look for him to up his runs total of 91 last season to over 100 if he's batting at or near the top of the lineup. He's batting .304 though 11 games and has crossed the plate 10 times.
Harper is off to a decent start, with four homers and 10 RBI to go with a .314 batting average. In his new surroundings, Harper may challenge for the batting title. He hit .330 with Washington in 2015 and is in a good spot in a hitter's ball park. Last year's .249 average will be overlooked if he produces as expected.
The Mets have as good a shot as any team to take the division if they get quality starts from the rest of the rotation and score runs for Jacob deGrom. The keys are the keep Noah Snydergaard healthy, get Steven Matz though six innings and get solid innings from middle relievers Robert Gsellman, Jeurys Familia, and Seth Lugo. Closer Edwin Diaz, with five saves already in the books, appears to have his role nailed down.
Washington still may have the best rotation in the division, but will miss Harper's bat. Atlanta, last season's division winner, will be in it as long as Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. stay healthy. Their pitching matches up well anywhere they play.
Cards Catch Brewers With Five Straight Wins
After a 3-5 start, St. Louis has reeled off five straight wins, including Thursday's 11-7 rip over the visiting Dodgers. The Cardinals may not have much thunder in their lineup, but as long as they get good pitching, their youthful lineup seems capable of keeping them in games, especially if the old man behind the plate - 36-year-old Yadier Molina - continues to play like a future Hall of Fame inductee.
Paul DeJong, Kolten Wong, Harrison Bader, and Marcel Ozuna form the nucleus of the offense, and the pickup of Paul Goldstein from Arizona gives the Cards' long-ball potential. Goldstein is batting just .180, but he's already swatted six homers. He needs to be more consistent (and he likely will be) for the Cardinals to hang in over the long haul.
In Milwaukee, the Brewers - also at 8-5 with the Cards - will have every opportunity to defend their 2018 division title and move forward in the playoffs. With the remarkable Christian Yellich leading the charge, Milwaukee is likely to repeat, especially if the Cubs continue to flounder. At the moment, Chicago is tied with the Reds for last place at 4-8, 3 1/2 back of the Brew Crew and Cardinals.
San Diego Improved With Machado
The Padres couldn't get much worse than their 66-96 mark in 2018, so they pulled the trigger and landed Manny Machado in the off-season after Machado had bailed on the Orioles mid-season for a playoff shot with the Dodgers in 2018.
A post-season hero Machado is not. His lifetime .213 average in the playoffs and World Series included 16 games with the Dodgers, a .227 batting average, three homers and 12 RBI. Those numbers are unlikely to raise any eyebrows, save those of Machado's detractors. Over the course of a full season in San Diego, Manny is likely to be "the Man" in bordertown California.
Thus far, Manny's helped the Padres to first place in the West, their 9-5 mark a game better than LA's 8-6 record. With three homers, seven RBI and a .245 batting average, Machado is probably trying a little too hard to impress his new team and fans. If he shakes off the nerves, he's capable of 35 homers and 100 RBI for the next six years or so. He had 35 and 86 in 2015, 37 and 96 in 2016, 33 and 95 in 2017, and 37 and 107 splitting time between Baltimore and LA.
Obviously, Machado can't do everything for the Padres. He'll need help, especially from the pitching staff, which includes left-handed rookie, Nick Margevicius, who has shown promise in three starts, winning two of them, against one loss. in 16 innings, quick Nick has fanned 12 and sports an ERA of 1.69.
It's a long season, and while the Padres probably won't go worst to first, the contenders in the division are few and far between. The Giants haven't been able to figure it out for a few years and don't look very competitive in 2019. Ditto the Rockies. Arizona has a good mix of veterans and good pitching, but the Dodgers, should they play to their potential, may run away and hide in the West.
The Dodgers are just a game off the pace and that's without Clayton Kershaw, who started the season on the 10-day IL. He's slated to make his seasonal debut Friday night, agains the Brewers. LA opens a three-game series with Milwaukee and will host the Reds for three following the weekend. Cody Bellinger has been carrying the team, batting .411, with seven HRs and 19 RBI.
Other series of note this weekend are San Diego at Arizona and the Mets at Atlanta. Both series began on Thursday, with the Mets topping the Braves, 6-3, and the Padres nipping the D-Backs, 7-6.
Showing posts with label San Diego Padres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Diego Padres. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2019
Friday, August 10, 2018
Mitch Haniger, Denard Span Power Mariners Past Astros; Hunter Renfroe Slam Toasts Brewers In 8-4 Padres Win
Players of the Day for Thursday, August 9, 2018
American League
Losers of seven of their last nine, the situation was critical as Seattle opened a four-game series in Houston with the division-leading Astros against former Cy Young award winner, Justin Verlander.
It didn't take long for the Mariners to revive hope, as Mitch Haniger led off the game with a home run - his 19th of the year. The next man up, Denard Span, tripled and was waved home on Jean Seguara's ground rule double. Seguara scored on Nelson Cruz's single, putting the Mariners up 3-0 before Houston even had a chance to respond.
In the second, Haniger doubled, Span knocked him in with his ninth homer, and Segura smacked a solo shot, making it 6-0.
Verlander was pulled after two brutal innings, giving up seven hits, throwing just 54 pitches.
Haniger knocked in another run in the sixth with a single, finishing 4-for-5 with two RBI. Span went 3-for-3 with a pair of ribbies. Both players scored twice en route to a huge, 8-6 triumph.
The win left the M's seven games back in the NL West. Houston leads Oakland by 4 1/2.
Game two of the series is Friday, 8:10 pm EDT.
National League
San Diego scored six runs in the ninth, overwhelming the Brewers, 8-4, in the finale of a three-game series in Milwaukee.
The key hit in the rally came off the bat of Hunter Renfroe, who socked a grand slam off Joakim Soria, changing the scoreboard from 4-3, Brewers to 7-4, Padres.
San Diego, well out of post-season consideration, took two of three from the Brew crew after taking the last game over the Cubs in Chicago, 10-6.
Renfroe, in his third season with the Padres, has 12 homers and 39 RBI in 72 games.
The loss dropped the Brewers two back of the Cubs in the Central.
San Diego returns home to host the Phillies on Friday; Milwaukee starts an eight-game road trip against the Braves, Cubs, and Cardinals.
American League
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| Haniger: 4-5, HR, 2 RBI |
Losers of seven of their last nine, the situation was critical as Seattle opened a four-game series in Houston with the division-leading Astros against former Cy Young award winner, Justin Verlander.
It didn't take long for the Mariners to revive hope, as Mitch Haniger led off the game with a home run - his 19th of the year. The next man up, Denard Span, tripled and was waved home on Jean Seguara's ground rule double. Seguara scored on Nelson Cruz's single, putting the Mariners up 3-0 before Houston even had a chance to respond.
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| Span: 3-for-3, HR, 2RBI |
Verlander was pulled after two brutal innings, giving up seven hits, throwing just 54 pitches.
Haniger knocked in another run in the sixth with a single, finishing 4-for-5 with two RBI. Span went 3-for-3 with a pair of ribbies. Both players scored twice en route to a huge, 8-6 triumph.
The win left the M's seven games back in the NL West. Houston leads Oakland by 4 1/2.
Game two of the series is Friday, 8:10 pm EDT.
National League
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| Renfroe's Slam Sinks Brewers |
The key hit in the rally came off the bat of Hunter Renfroe, who socked a grand slam off Joakim Soria, changing the scoreboard from 4-3, Brewers to 7-4, Padres.
San Diego, well out of post-season consideration, took two of three from the Brew crew after taking the last game over the Cubs in Chicago, 10-6.
Renfroe, in his third season with the Padres, has 12 homers and 39 RBI in 72 games.
The loss dropped the Brewers two back of the Cubs in the Central.
San Diego returns home to host the Phillies on Friday; Milwaukee starts an eight-game road trip against the Braves, Cubs, and Cardinals.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Manuel Margot Dives In Five As Padres Swamp Brewers; Rougned Odor Powers Rangers Over Seattle
Players of the Day for Tuesday, August 7, 2018
American League
The Texas Rangers roughed up Felix Hernandez and the visiting Seattle Mariners, taking the second game of their three-game series, 11-4, Tuesday night.
Hernandez was pounded for eight hits and seven runs over six innings, a large portion of the damage done by Rougned Odor, who doubled in two runs in the third inning and socked a two-run homer in the sixth, prompting Hernandez's exit.
The last-place Rangers handed the Mariners their sixth loss in their last eight games, dropping them 7 1/2 games behind Houston in the AL West. The Mariners gave up second place to the A's last week, and are in danger of dropping out of not just the division race, but the wild card hunt as well.
The Yankees hold the top wild card spot, with Oakland four games back. Seattle is two games behind the A's.
After Seattle took the first game of the series, 4-3, in 12 innings, Monday, Texas tied it with Tuesday's victory and will look for another win as the series concludes Wednesday afternoon, 2:05 pm EDT.
National League
Taking a little of the steam out of Milwaukee's post-season hopes, the San Diego Padres scored in every inning from the third through ninth, carving up the Brewers for an 11-5 win.
Second year center fielder, Manuel Margot, led the San Diego assault from his customary leadoff spot, going 3-for-5 with five RBI. Margot singled in two runs in the third to get the Padres on the board. In the fifth inning, he socked a solo homer, then, in the sixth, his sacrifice fly scored Franmil Reyes to make the score 5-5.
In the ninth, Margot tripled and scored on an error to complete the rout.
The win was just the fifth by San Diego since the all star break, but their second straight. On Sunday, they downed the Cubs, 10-6, but remain mired in last place in the NL West, 18 1/2 games off the pace.
The loss sent the Brewers down by 2 1/2 to the Cubs in the NL Central but still 1 1/2 better than Arizona in the wild card race.
Game two of the series in Milwaukee starts Wednesday, at 8:10 pm EDT.
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| Odor: 2B, HR, 4 RBI |
The Texas Rangers roughed up Felix Hernandez and the visiting Seattle Mariners, taking the second game of their three-game series, 11-4, Tuesday night.
Hernandez was pounded for eight hits and seven runs over six innings, a large portion of the damage done by Rougned Odor, who doubled in two runs in the third inning and socked a two-run homer in the sixth, prompting Hernandez's exit.
The last-place Rangers handed the Mariners their sixth loss in their last eight games, dropping them 7 1/2 games behind Houston in the AL West. The Mariners gave up second place to the A's last week, and are in danger of dropping out of not just the division race, but the wild card hunt as well.
The Yankees hold the top wild card spot, with Oakland four games back. Seattle is two games behind the A's.
After Seattle took the first game of the series, 4-3, in 12 innings, Monday, Texas tied it with Tuesday's victory and will look for another win as the series concludes Wednesday afternoon, 2:05 pm EDT.
National League
Taking a little of the steam out of Milwaukee's post-season hopes, the San Diego Padres scored in every inning from the third through ninth, carving up the Brewers for an 11-5 win.
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| Margot: 3-5, 3B, HR, 5RBI |
In the ninth, Margot tripled and scored on an error to complete the rout.
The win was just the fifth by San Diego since the all star break, but their second straight. On Sunday, they downed the Cubs, 10-6, but remain mired in last place in the NL West, 18 1/2 games off the pace.
The loss sent the Brewers down by 2 1/2 to the Cubs in the NL Central but still 1 1/2 better than Arizona in the wild card race.
Game two of the series in Milwaukee starts Wednesday, at 8:10 pm EDT.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Jose Abreu's Two HRs Lead White Sox Past Mariners; Carlos Asuaje Leads Padres 13-5 Victory Over Rockies
Players of the Day for Monday, April 23, 2018
American League
Proving once again that baseball offers a game that anyone can win, the two worst teams in the majors both broke losing streaks on Monday, as the White Sox downed the Mariners, 10-4, and the Reds took out their frustrations i a 10-4 win over Atlanta. The Sox broke a seven-game losing skein; the Reds had lost five straight.
Helping set the tone in Chicago was Jose Abreu, who singled and scored in the first inning as the White Sox put five on the board. In the second inning, Abreu belted his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left.
In the fourth, Abreu singled but was left stranded, but took matters into his own hands again in the sixth with his second homer, a 422-foot bang to left. He finished 4-for-5 with three runs and three RBI.
The win left the White Sox at 5-14 on the year, 1/2-game better than Kansas City (5-15) in the division.
One fo the few white Sox players having a fair year thus far, Abreu is batting .308 with six homers and 12 RBI. He's hit 25 or more home runs and driven in at least 100 runs in each of his four prior seasons with the White Sox.
Game two of the series is slated for a 5:10 pm EDT start in Chicago.
National League
San Diego is another last place team that came up a winner on Monday, registering a 13-5 score at Colorado.
With a run already tallied in the first, Carlos Asuaje put the Padres up 4-0 over the Rockies with a three-run blast that traveled 400 feet into the right field stands.
Colorado battled back to take a 5-4 lead in the third inning, but, after a three scoreless innings, the Padres responded by pounding the Rockies with a nine-run seventh inning, including an RBI single and run scored by Asuaje, who finished 2-for-5 with four RBI.
The win didn't life San Diego out of last place, but their 9-15 record leaves them just 3 1/2 out of second place in the division. Colorado is 4 1/2 behind Arizona, trailing the Dodgers - four back - by just 1/2 game.
The NL West rivals meet agin on Tuesday. Game time is 8:40 pm EDT.
American League
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| Abreu: 4-for-5, 2HR, 3RBI |
Helping set the tone in Chicago was Jose Abreu, who singled and scored in the first inning as the White Sox put five on the board. In the second inning, Abreu belted his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left.
In the fourth, Abreu singled but was left stranded, but took matters into his own hands again in the sixth with his second homer, a 422-foot bang to left. He finished 4-for-5 with three runs and three RBI.
The win left the White Sox at 5-14 on the year, 1/2-game better than Kansas City (5-15) in the division.
One fo the few white Sox players having a fair year thus far, Abreu is batting .308 with six homers and 12 RBI. He's hit 25 or more home runs and driven in at least 100 runs in each of his four prior seasons with the White Sox.
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| Asuaje: 2-for-5, HR 4RBI |
Game two of the series is slated for a 5:10 pm EDT start in Chicago.
National League
San Diego is another last place team that came up a winner on Monday, registering a 13-5 score at Colorado.
With a run already tallied in the first, Carlos Asuaje put the Padres up 4-0 over the Rockies with a three-run blast that traveled 400 feet into the right field stands.
Colorado battled back to take a 5-4 lead in the third inning, but, after a three scoreless innings, the Padres responded by pounding the Rockies with a nine-run seventh inning, including an RBI single and run scored by Asuaje, who finished 2-for-5 with four RBI.
The win didn't life San Diego out of last place, but their 9-15 record leaves them just 3 1/2 out of second place in the division. Colorado is 4 1/2 behind Arizona, trailing the Dodgers - four back - by just 1/2 game.
The NL West rivals meet agin on Tuesday. Game time is 8:40 pm EDT.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Didi Gregorius Homers Twice, Drives In 8 As Yanks Rip Rays; Christian Villanueva Powers Padres With 3 HR
Players of the Day for Tuesday, April 4, 2018
American League
Delayed one day by snow, the NY Yankees held their home opener on Wednesday with an 11-4 pounding of AL East foe, Tampa Bay, highlighted by a world-class performance by shortstop Didi Gregorius.
Tampa pitchers found it impossible to keep the Yankee shortstop off the base paths, as Gregorius went 4-for-4 with a walk, single, double, two three-run homers and eight RBI.
Gregorius got the Yanks on the board in the second, doubling and scoring on Tyler Wade's single. In the third, Gregorius socked his first home run, then walked in the fifth, homered again in the seventh, and capped off his epic game with a two-run single in the ninth, completing the scoring for the Yankees.
The RBI assault left Gregorius tied for the AL lead with Toronto's Justin Smoak, both players with nine. His batting average is a stout .444.
Shortened to two games, the series concludes Wednesday at 1:05 pm EDT.
National League
After four losses, the San Diego Padres captured their first victory of the season, thanks in large part to the batting explosion of rookie third baseman, Christian Villanueva, who socked three home runs, scored four times, and drove in five as the Padres doubled up the visiting Rockies, 8-4.
The 26-year-old got the party started with a solo shot in the second inning and another in the fourth. The Padres scored three runs in the sixth, Villanueva scoring the run that put them up, 5-3. In the seventh, Villanueva put the game out of reach with a three-run blast, finishing the game at 3-for-3.
San Diego remained in last place in the NL West, but they are a mere one game out of second place. Arizona leads the division with a 4-1 mark.
Game three of the four-game series starts at 10:10 pm EDT on Wednesday.
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| Gregorius: 4-4, 2HR, 8RBI |
Delayed one day by snow, the NY Yankees held their home opener on Wednesday with an 11-4 pounding of AL East foe, Tampa Bay, highlighted by a world-class performance by shortstop Didi Gregorius.
Tampa pitchers found it impossible to keep the Yankee shortstop off the base paths, as Gregorius went 4-for-4 with a walk, single, double, two three-run homers and eight RBI.
Gregorius got the Yanks on the board in the second, doubling and scoring on Tyler Wade's single. In the third, Gregorius socked his first home run, then walked in the fifth, homered again in the seventh, and capped off his epic game with a two-run single in the ninth, completing the scoring for the Yankees.
The RBI assault left Gregorius tied for the AL lead with Toronto's Justin Smoak, both players with nine. His batting average is a stout .444.
Shortened to two games, the series concludes Wednesday at 1:05 pm EDT.
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| Villanueva: 3HR, 5RBI |
National League
After four losses, the San Diego Padres captured their first victory of the season, thanks in large part to the batting explosion of rookie third baseman, Christian Villanueva, who socked three home runs, scored four times, and drove in five as the Padres doubled up the visiting Rockies, 8-4.
The 26-year-old got the party started with a solo shot in the second inning and another in the fourth. The Padres scored three runs in the sixth, Villanueva scoring the run that put them up, 5-3. In the seventh, Villanueva put the game out of reach with a three-run blast, finishing the game at 3-for-3.
San Diego remained in last place in the NL West, but they are a mere one game out of second place. Arizona leads the division with a 4-1 mark.
Game three of the four-game series starts at 10:10 pm EDT on Wednesday.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Boston's Chris Sale Fans 13, Downs Orioles; Hunter Renfroe Socks 3 HR But Padres Lose To Arizona
Players of the Day for Wednesday, September 20, 2017
American League
While the Yankees were busy eliminating the competition in the wild card race, sweeping three from the Minnesota Twins and advancing their lead over them to seven games, the Boston Red Sox had the pedal to the metal as well, matching the Yanks with three straight over the fading Orioles, in Baltimore.
Capping the sweep with a 9-0 shutout, starter Chris Sale went eight full innings, didn't allow any walks, gave up just four hits and fanned 13, sending his major-league leading strikeout total to 300, becoming the first American League pitcher to achieve that milestone since Boston's Pedro Martinez did it 1999, when he set a club record with 313.
Sales threw 111 pitches, 77 of them for strikes, improving to 17-7 on the year. With 10 games remaining, and a mere three game lead over the Yankees, it's a good bet that Sale will get to the mound again this season, with the possibility of equalling or breaking Martinez's club record.
Boston's win assured that they will be playing in October, at least as a wild card, though the Sox clearly have higher aims. New York has a magic number of three to clinch a playoff berth, but they too have their eyes on the AL East division title.
The two contenders (Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Toronto have been mathematically eliminated) do not play each other again this season, unless they meet up in the playoffs. After a day off Thursday, Boston will head to Cincinnati for a three-game series with the Reds, then return home for their final seven games, three against the Blue Jays and four with Houston.
New York also opens a three-game road series on Friday, in Toronto. A make-up game with the Royals is slated for September 25 (Monday), prior to back-to-back three-game home series against Tampa Bay and Toronto.
National League
Arizona increased its lead in the wild card race to 5 1/2 over the Rockies with a 13-7 win at San Diego, despite the best efforts of rookie outfielder, Hunter Renfroe, who became the first Padre to belt three home runs in one game since the inception of the franchise back in 1969.
Renfroe socked his first in the third inning, a two-run blast, followed by solo shots in the fifth and ninth innings. Renfroe has 24 home runs and 54 RBI on the year.
The Padres built a 6-2 lead after five innings, but the Diamondbacks scored four in the sixth, one in the seventh, two in the eighth and four more in the ninth to win going away, avoiding the sweep in the three-game series.
Fortunately for Arizona, which had lost three straight before Wednesday's win, they had built a sizable lead in the wild card race. Below them, the battle is engaged for the #2 position. Colorado leads Milwaukee by one game and St. Louis by 2 1/2.
Looking like a sure thing to clinch the top wild card spot, Arizona has Thursday off, then opens a six-game home stand, playing three with Miami and then the Giants. They close out the regular season with three games at Kansas City.
American League
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| Sale: 300 strikeouts |
Capping the sweep with a 9-0 shutout, starter Chris Sale went eight full innings, didn't allow any walks, gave up just four hits and fanned 13, sending his major-league leading strikeout total to 300, becoming the first American League pitcher to achieve that milestone since Boston's Pedro Martinez did it 1999, when he set a club record with 313.
Sales threw 111 pitches, 77 of them for strikes, improving to 17-7 on the year. With 10 games remaining, and a mere three game lead over the Yankees, it's a good bet that Sale will get to the mound again this season, with the possibility of equalling or breaking Martinez's club record.
Boston's win assured that they will be playing in October, at least as a wild card, though the Sox clearly have higher aims. New York has a magic number of three to clinch a playoff berth, but they too have their eyes on the AL East division title.
The two contenders (Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Toronto have been mathematically eliminated) do not play each other again this season, unless they meet up in the playoffs. After a day off Thursday, Boston will head to Cincinnati for a three-game series with the Reds, then return home for their final seven games, three against the Blue Jays and four with Houston.
New York also opens a three-game road series on Friday, in Toronto. A make-up game with the Royals is slated for September 25 (Monday), prior to back-to-back three-game home series against Tampa Bay and Toronto.
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| Renfroe: 3 HR, 4 RBI |
Arizona increased its lead in the wild card race to 5 1/2 over the Rockies with a 13-7 win at San Diego, despite the best efforts of rookie outfielder, Hunter Renfroe, who became the first Padre to belt three home runs in one game since the inception of the franchise back in 1969.
Renfroe socked his first in the third inning, a two-run blast, followed by solo shots in the fifth and ninth innings. Renfroe has 24 home runs and 54 RBI on the year.
The Padres built a 6-2 lead after five innings, but the Diamondbacks scored four in the sixth, one in the seventh, two in the eighth and four more in the ninth to win going away, avoiding the sweep in the three-game series.
Fortunately for Arizona, which had lost three straight before Wednesday's win, they had built a sizable lead in the wild card race. Below them, the battle is engaged for the #2 position. Colorado leads Milwaukee by one game and St. Louis by 2 1/2.
Looking like a sure thing to clinch the top wild card spot, Arizona has Thursday off, then opens a six-game home stand, playing three with Miami and then the Giants. They close out the regular season with three games at Kansas City.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Padres Blast Cardinals, 12-4, on Yangervis Solarte's 6 RBI; Doug Fister Fires 1-Hitter As Boston Downs Cleveland
Players of the Day for Tuesday, August 22, 2017
American League
After Boston scored a run in the top of the first inning, Cleveland leadoff hitter, Francisco Lindor, responded with a home run off Red Sox starter, Doug Fister.
While the run may have given the Indians cause for early confidence, as it turns out, Lindor's homer would be the only hit Cleveland would muster against the Boston as the Red Sox wrecked the Indians, 9-1.
As the Sox piled up the runs, Fister tossed a one-hitter, allowing a couple of walks, issuing a free pass in the first to Edwin Encarnacion and another to Brandon Guyer, leading off the fifth. In the second, Fister hit Bradley Zimmer with a pitch, but in that case and in the fifth, he was bailed out by a double play.
Having sufficiently settled in, Fister didn't allow a baserunner after the fifth, setting down the last 13 Cleveland batters in order. The 6'8" right-hander needed 114 pitches for his eighth career complete game and the first this season, fanning six and facing two over the minimum. After such a solid performance, one can only question why the 33-year-old is only 3-6 with a 4.78 ERA.
Fister started the 2017 season with the Angels. The Red Sox acquired him off waivers in June to replace David Price in the rotation. He's started eight games for the Sox, with three appearances out of the bullpen. Recently, however, he has come around, winning three of his last four starts. He's 2-1 against the Indians over that span.
In his ninth season, Foster is 80-82 with a 3.64 ERA.
Boston's win evened the series between the division leaders, both up by 4 1/2 games, Cleveland over Minnesota and Boston ahead of the NY Yankees. Game three of the four-game set is Wednesday night at 7:10 pm ET at Cleveland's Progressive Field.
National League
The St Louis Cardinals were dealt a blow to their playoff hopes by visiting San Diego as Yangervis Solarte led the Padres to a 12-4 rout at Busch Stadium.
In five at-bats, Solarte doubled twice and busted his 14th home run of the season, driving in six runs, more than enough for the five Padres pitchers used in the rout. Oddly enough, starter Clayton Richard worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, but Craig Stammen, who retired just one batter in the bottom of the sixth, received the win after the Padres exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh.
Prior to that, Solarte had provided all the San Diego runs, knocking in three in the third with a bases-loaded double and driving in another in the fourth, with his second two-bagger. His two-run home run in the eighth capped off his night and completed San Diego's scoring.
The Padres, completely out of it, 33 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West (it could be worse, the Giants are 40 1/2 back), pushed third place St. Louis to 4 1/2 behind the Cubs in the NL Central. Milwaukee is second in the division, 2 1/2 off the pace. The loss was the Cardinals' third straight, leaving them five games behind the Rockies for the second wild card, but only 1/2 ahead of the surging Miami Marlins.
St. Louis will attempt to stop the bleeding when they host the Padres in game two of the three-game series, Wednesday at 8:15 pm ET.
American League
After Boston scored a run in the top of the first inning, Cleveland leadoff hitter, Francisco Lindor, responded with a home run off Red Sox starter, Doug Fister.
While the run may have given the Indians cause for early confidence, as it turns out, Lindor's homer would be the only hit Cleveland would muster against the Boston as the Red Sox wrecked the Indians, 9-1.
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| Fister: 1-hitter |
Having sufficiently settled in, Fister didn't allow a baserunner after the fifth, setting down the last 13 Cleveland batters in order. The 6'8" right-hander needed 114 pitches for his eighth career complete game and the first this season, fanning six and facing two over the minimum. After such a solid performance, one can only question why the 33-year-old is only 3-6 with a 4.78 ERA.
Fister started the 2017 season with the Angels. The Red Sox acquired him off waivers in June to replace David Price in the rotation. He's started eight games for the Sox, with three appearances out of the bullpen. Recently, however, he has come around, winning three of his last four starts. He's 2-1 against the Indians over that span.
In his ninth season, Foster is 80-82 with a 3.64 ERA.
Boston's win evened the series between the division leaders, both up by 4 1/2 games, Cleveland over Minnesota and Boston ahead of the NY Yankees. Game three of the four-game set is Wednesday night at 7:10 pm ET at Cleveland's Progressive Field.
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| Solarte: 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI |
The St Louis Cardinals were dealt a blow to their playoff hopes by visiting San Diego as Yangervis Solarte led the Padres to a 12-4 rout at Busch Stadium.
In five at-bats, Solarte doubled twice and busted his 14th home run of the season, driving in six runs, more than enough for the five Padres pitchers used in the rout. Oddly enough, starter Clayton Richard worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, but Craig Stammen, who retired just one batter in the bottom of the sixth, received the win after the Padres exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh.
Prior to that, Solarte had provided all the San Diego runs, knocking in three in the third with a bases-loaded double and driving in another in the fourth, with his second two-bagger. His two-run home run in the eighth capped off his night and completed San Diego's scoring.
The Padres, completely out of it, 33 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West (it could be worse, the Giants are 40 1/2 back), pushed third place St. Louis to 4 1/2 behind the Cubs in the NL Central. Milwaukee is second in the division, 2 1/2 off the pace. The loss was the Cardinals' third straight, leaving them five games behind the Rockies for the second wild card, but only 1/2 ahead of the surging Miami Marlins.
St. Louis will attempt to stop the bleeding when they host the Padres in game two of the three-game series, Wednesday at 8:15 pm ET.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Yuli Gurriel Grand Slam Paces Houston Past Miami; Hunter Renfroe's Walk-Off Homer Lifts Padres
Players of the Day for Monday, May 15, 2017
American League
.692.
That's the winning percentage of the Houston Astros as MLB approaches the end of the proverbial first quarter in the annual march to the pennants. At 27-12, the Astros have the best record in the majors and are on pace to run away with the AL West, with a record of 112-50.
Already eight games to the good over the Angels and Rangers, the Astros have led the division since being 7-4 on April 14 and appear poised to keep padding their lead for the foreseeable future.
In their 7-2 win at Miami - Houston's seventh win in their last eight games - another hero emerged for the night in the form of first baseman, Yuli Gurriel, who smacked a sixth-inning grand slam that erased a 1-0 Marlins lead and sent the Astros on their way to victory.
Technically a rookie, since MLB rules state, "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues..." and Gurriel had exactly 130 at-bats last year for Houston, the 32-year-old Cuban is batting .293 with three homers and 14 RBI. He continues to get plenty of playing time and has become a regular contributor to the Houston offense.
Houston will be looking to take game two of their three-game interleague series when they take the field at Marlins Park on Wednesday at 7:10 pm ET.
National League
The Brewers lost a 6-5 heart-breaker in the opening game of their four-game series in San Diego as the Padres, after giving up a run in the top of the tenth inning, plated a pair for the win on Hunter Renfroe's walk-off two-run homer.
Renfroe, who finished 2-for-4 with four RBI, got the Padres started with a two-run double in the opening inning, but the Brewers came back to eventually tie the game at 4-4 and force extra frames. After Eric Sogard's solo homer gave the Brewers a lead in the top of the 10th, the stage was set for Renfroe after Erick Aybar singled leading off the bottom of the inning. Milwaukee's Oliver Drake didn't get anybody out, giving up both the single and Renfroe's blast, and took the loss, dropping the Brewers to 21-18, 1 1/2 games behind the streaking Cardinals.
A 25-year-old rookie, Refroe is batting just .217, but, he's socked seven home runs and driven in 17 for the 15-25 Padres, who have found their way to last place in the NL West, 9 1/2 behind the division-leading Rockies.
The teams meet again for game two at Petco Park on Wednesday. Game time is 7:10 pm PT.
American League
 |
| Gurriel: Grand Slam |
.692.
That's the winning percentage of the Houston Astros as MLB approaches the end of the proverbial first quarter in the annual march to the pennants. At 27-12, the Astros have the best record in the majors and are on pace to run away with the AL West, with a record of 112-50.
Already eight games to the good over the Angels and Rangers, the Astros have led the division since being 7-4 on April 14 and appear poised to keep padding their lead for the foreseeable future.
In their 7-2 win at Miami - Houston's seventh win in their last eight games - another hero emerged for the night in the form of first baseman, Yuli Gurriel, who smacked a sixth-inning grand slam that erased a 1-0 Marlins lead and sent the Astros on their way to victory.
Technically a rookie, since MLB rules state, "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues..." and Gurriel had exactly 130 at-bats last year for Houston, the 32-year-old Cuban is batting .293 with three homers and 14 RBI. He continues to get plenty of playing time and has become a regular contributor to the Houston offense.
 |
| Refroe: 2-run HR |
National League
The Brewers lost a 6-5 heart-breaker in the opening game of their four-game series in San Diego as the Padres, after giving up a run in the top of the tenth inning, plated a pair for the win on Hunter Renfroe's walk-off two-run homer.
Renfroe, who finished 2-for-4 with four RBI, got the Padres started with a two-run double in the opening inning, but the Brewers came back to eventually tie the game at 4-4 and force extra frames. After Eric Sogard's solo homer gave the Brewers a lead in the top of the 10th, the stage was set for Renfroe after Erick Aybar singled leading off the bottom of the inning. Milwaukee's Oliver Drake didn't get anybody out, giving up both the single and Renfroe's blast, and took the loss, dropping the Brewers to 21-18, 1 1/2 games behind the streaking Cardinals.
A 25-year-old rookie, Refroe is batting just .217, but, he's socked seven home runs and driven in 17 for the 15-25 Padres, who have found their way to last place in the NL West, 9 1/2 behind the division-leading Rockies.
The teams meet again for game two at Petco Park on Wednesday. Game time is 7:10 pm PT.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Nomar Mazara Leads Rangers With Grand Slam; Yangervis Solarte Drives In 4 For Padres
Players of the Day for Friday, April 7, 2017
American League
After dropping their first three games of the season at home to the AL champion Cleveland Indians, the Texas Rangers registered win numero uno with a solid offensive attack, defeating the visiting Oakland A's by a score of 10-5 Friday night.
Accounting for more than half of the Rangers' total runs scored was right fielder Nomar Mazara, who drove in a run on a ground out in the first, socked a grand slam in the second and finished up with an RBI single in the sixth inning to complete the scoring for Texas.
A second-year player for Texas, Mazara hit 20 homers and batted .266 last season, but is off to a blazing start this year, batting .588 after four games, going 10-for-17 with two doubles, a pair of homers and nine RBI. Mazara currently leads the majors in batting and RBI.
The victory came in the first of a three-game series with Oakland. Game two is slated for an 8:05 pm ET start on Saturday.
National League
Predicted by many in the baseball punditry to be the worst team in the majors, the San Diego Padres and their youthful lineup may have plans to make those writers and broadcasters eat their words.
Opening a three-game home series with the Giants - considered the class of the NL West - the Padres racked up a 7-6 victory, thanks to a pair of solo homers by leadoff hitter Manuel Margot and a three-hit night by second baseman Yangervis Solarte.
A former Yankee farmhand, Solarte has spent the last two seasons with the Padres, batting .270 in 2015 and .286 last season, despite playing only 109 games in 2016.
In the win over the Giants, which improved the Padres to 2-3 on the season, Solarte singled twice and doubled in five at-bats, driving in single runs with both of his singles, and getting home two with his seventh-inning double, which put the Pardres ahead, 6-5. Later in the inning, Solarte scored what turned out to be the game-winner on a safety squeeze by catcher Austin Hedges.
Game two of the three game series between the Padres and Giants is slated for a Saturday start at 8:40 pm ET.
 |
| Mazara: GS, 6 RBI |
After dropping their first three games of the season at home to the AL champion Cleveland Indians, the Texas Rangers registered win numero uno with a solid offensive attack, defeating the visiting Oakland A's by a score of 10-5 Friday night.
Accounting for more than half of the Rangers' total runs scored was right fielder Nomar Mazara, who drove in a run on a ground out in the first, socked a grand slam in the second and finished up with an RBI single in the sixth inning to complete the scoring for Texas.
A second-year player for Texas, Mazara hit 20 homers and batted .266 last season, but is off to a blazing start this year, batting .588 after four games, going 10-for-17 with two doubles, a pair of homers and nine RBI. Mazara currently leads the majors in batting and RBI.
 |
| Solarte: 3-5, 4 RBI |
National League
Predicted by many in the baseball punditry to be the worst team in the majors, the San Diego Padres and their youthful lineup may have plans to make those writers and broadcasters eat their words.
Opening a three-game home series with the Giants - considered the class of the NL West - the Padres racked up a 7-6 victory, thanks to a pair of solo homers by leadoff hitter Manuel Margot and a three-hit night by second baseman Yangervis Solarte.
A former Yankee farmhand, Solarte has spent the last two seasons with the Padres, batting .270 in 2015 and .286 last season, despite playing only 109 games in 2016.
In the win over the Giants, which improved the Padres to 2-3 on the season, Solarte singled twice and doubled in five at-bats, driving in single runs with both of his singles, and getting home two with his seventh-inning double, which put the Pardres ahead, 6-5. Later in the inning, Solarte scored what turned out to be the game-winner on a safety squeeze by catcher Austin Hedges.
Game two of the three game series between the Padres and Giants is slated for a Saturday start at 8:40 pm ET.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Danny Espinosa Lifts Angels Over A's; Calyton Richard Goes Eight Shutout Innings For Padres
Players of the Day for Tuesday, April 4, 2017
American League
Danny Espinosa socked a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, leading the LA Angels to a 7-6 triumph over the Oakland A's.
Not known primarily as a power hitter, second baseman Espinosa knocked 24 ball out of parks last season, a career high, and got his stroke aligned with his first of the new season, which was also his only hit in eight at-bats thus far in 2017.
The 383-fott drive to right center drove in teammates Jefry Marte and Andrelton Simmons, bringing the Angels back from a 6-4 deficit. Cam Bedrosian came in to toss a perfect inning in the bottom of the ninth, earning his first save of the season.
Notable in the game was the first start for Matt Carpenter, who returned to the mound for the first time since being struck in the head by a line drive, suffering a fractured skull, seven months earlier. Carpenter was effective, allowing two earned runs on four hits over five innings.
The win tied the four-game series at 1-1. The two teams take to the field at the Oakland Coliseum for game three Wednesday night at 7:05 pm PT.
National League
After being hammered and humiliated in their season opener, 14-3, by the Dodgers on Monday, Clayton Richard and the San Diego Padres said, "not so fast" to the home-standing Dodgers, blanking them 4-0, to even their record and the series at 1-1.
Richard tossed eight innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits and two walks, fanning five. Efficient in his pitch selection, Richard threw 68 of 99 pitches for strikes and recorded first pitch strikes on 19 of the 27 batters he faced.
A spot starter and long reliever for most of his career, Richard became part of the Padres' starting rotation this season and is off to a great start. The win took his career record above the break-even line, giving him 54 victories against 53 losses.
The Padres and Dodgers play game three of their four-game series Wednesday night in Los Angeles with first pitch slated for 7:10 pm PT.
American League
 |
| Espinosa: 3-run blast |
Not known primarily as a power hitter, second baseman Espinosa knocked 24 ball out of parks last season, a career high, and got his stroke aligned with his first of the new season, which was also his only hit in eight at-bats thus far in 2017.
The 383-fott drive to right center drove in teammates Jefry Marte and Andrelton Simmons, bringing the Angels back from a 6-4 deficit. Cam Bedrosian came in to toss a perfect inning in the bottom of the ninth, earning his first save of the season.
 |
| Richard: 8 Scoreless |
The win tied the four-game series at 1-1. The two teams take to the field at the Oakland Coliseum for game three Wednesday night at 7:05 pm PT.
National League
After being hammered and humiliated in their season opener, 14-3, by the Dodgers on Monday, Clayton Richard and the San Diego Padres said, "not so fast" to the home-standing Dodgers, blanking them 4-0, to even their record and the series at 1-1.
Richard tossed eight innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits and two walks, fanning five. Efficient in his pitch selection, Richard threw 68 of 99 pitches for strikes and recorded first pitch strikes on 19 of the 27 batters he faced.
A spot starter and long reliever for most of his career, Richard became part of the Padres' starting rotation this season and is off to a great start. The win took his career record above the break-even line, giving him 54 victories against 53 losses.
The Padres and Dodgers play game three of their four-game series Wednesday night in Los Angeles with first pitch slated for 7:10 pm PT.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Alejandro De Aza Powers O's over Yanks, 10-2; Tyson Ross Fans 12 as Padres Whip Rangers, 3-2
Players of the Day for Saturday, March 28, 2015
Grapefruit League
With a 10-15 mark in the Grapefruit League, the Orioles haven't exactly been catching anyone's eye this Spring, but, in their 10-2 victory over the Yankees in Tampa, there were some signs that the team which won the AL East last season is re-emerging in time for games that matter.
Batting in the leadoff position, Alejandro De Aza homered and had a sac fly in three at-bats, driving in four runs in the rout.
De Aza, picked up from the White Sox mid-season by the O's adds serious speed and power at the top of the order. Between the two clubs last season, De Aza hit eight homers and stole 17 bases, and he continued to work on cutting down on strikeouts - from 147 in 2013 to 119 last year.
Backup catcher, Steve Clevenger, went 3-for-3 and scored three times. Starting pitcher, Tyler Wilson, worked four innings, allowing only one hit, while fanning two with no walks.
The Yankees managed only three hits off Baltimore pitching, though two of them were solo home runs, by Stephen Drew and Alex Rodriguez.
Cactus League
Though he allowed six hits and two runs over the course of six innings, Tyson Ross managed to strike out 12 Texas Rangers and notch his third win of the exhibition season, in a 3-2 Padre win over Texas.
Ross looks to improve upon last year's marks and bolster what appears to be a solid rotation in San Diego.
Last year, in his first full season as a starter with the Padres, Ross et career-highs in starts (31), innings (195.2), strikeouts (195) and ERA (2.81) going 13-14 with 195 strikeouts in 31 starts, which included two complete games and a shutout.
Look for Ross to challenge for league lead in the K department. He finished eighth last season in the National League.
Grapefruit League
 |
| De Aza: HR 4RBI |
Batting in the leadoff position, Alejandro De Aza homered and had a sac fly in three at-bats, driving in four runs in the rout.
De Aza, picked up from the White Sox mid-season by the O's adds serious speed and power at the top of the order. Between the two clubs last season, De Aza hit eight homers and stole 17 bases, and he continued to work on cutting down on strikeouts - from 147 in 2013 to 119 last year.
Backup catcher, Steve Clevenger, went 3-for-3 and scored three times. Starting pitcher, Tyler Wilson, worked four innings, allowing only one hit, while fanning two with no walks.
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| Ross: 12 Ks, 3-0 |
Cactus League
Though he allowed six hits and two runs over the course of six innings, Tyson Ross managed to strike out 12 Texas Rangers and notch his third win of the exhibition season, in a 3-2 Padre win over Texas.
Ross looks to improve upon last year's marks and bolster what appears to be a solid rotation in San Diego.
Last year, in his first full season as a starter with the Padres, Ross et career-highs in starts (31), innings (195.2), strikeouts (195) and ERA (2.81) going 13-14 with 195 strikeouts in 31 starts, which included two complete games and a shutout.
Look for Ross to challenge for league lead in the K department. He finished eighth last season in the National League.
* * * *
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Jimmy Paredes, Chris Davis pace Orioles in 16-4 rout of Phillies; Brandon Morrow gets Win with 4 Scoreless for Padres
Players of the Day for Monday, March 16, 2015
Grapefruit League
Manny Machado missed the latter half of the 2014 season, but he's rehabbed and ready for the 2015 campaign.
Should the Orioles' third-baseman take a day off, as he did Monday in the O's 16-4 rout of the Phillies, Jimmy Paredes appears eager and ready to fill in.
In three at-bats, Paredes doubled, homered and delivered a sac fly, scored three times and drove in five runs at the Phillies' home in Clearwater, Florida.
The Orioles banged out five home runs and 21 hits in all. Adding to the barrage was Chris Davis, who had his fill, going 3-for-4 with a single, double, home run (his second) and four RBI.
After three years with the Astros and splitting last season between the Royals and O's, Paredes will likely be riding the bench or playing in the minors.
The win was just the fourth for the slugging Orioles. They have dropped 11. The loss dropped the Philles back to an 8-6 mark.
Cactus League
Just when the Cubs were getting it rolling, with four straight wins, along comes Brandon Morrow to spoil the party with four shutout inning in the Padres' 7-0 whitewash over visiting Chicago.
In his third appearance of the Spring and second start, Morrow was sharp for his new team, allowing just three hits without issuing a walk, striking out two. Morrow threw 48 pitches, 36 of which were strikes.
Traded to the Padres from Toronto after last season, Morrow should fit right into the starting rotation. A major leaguer since 2007, Morrow, who spent his first three seasons with the Mariners, moves from the AL to the NL, a decision made by more than just a few hurlers who can relish the thought of a soft spot in opposing lineups, having dealt with the DH for their entire career.
Morrow will enter the 2015 season with a 42-43 lifetime mark and a 4.28 ERA.
Jon Lester was on the mound as starter for the Cubs and was treated rudely, allowing six runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
The Padres are 7-6 in Spring games. The Cubs retreated to 5-9.
Grapefruit League
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| Jimmy Paredes |
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| Chris Davis |
Should the Orioles' third-baseman take a day off, as he did Monday in the O's 16-4 rout of the Phillies, Jimmy Paredes appears eager and ready to fill in.
In three at-bats, Paredes doubled, homered and delivered a sac fly, scored three times and drove in five runs at the Phillies' home in Clearwater, Florida.
The Orioles banged out five home runs and 21 hits in all. Adding to the barrage was Chris Davis, who had his fill, going 3-for-4 with a single, double, home run (his second) and four RBI.
After three years with the Astros and splitting last season between the Royals and O's, Paredes will likely be riding the bench or playing in the minors.
The win was just the fourth for the slugging Orioles. They have dropped 11. The loss dropped the Philles back to an 8-6 mark.
Cactus League
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| Brandon Morrow |
In his third appearance of the Spring and second start, Morrow was sharp for his new team, allowing just three hits without issuing a walk, striking out two. Morrow threw 48 pitches, 36 of which were strikes.
Traded to the Padres from Toronto after last season, Morrow should fit right into the starting rotation. A major leaguer since 2007, Morrow, who spent his first three seasons with the Mariners, moves from the AL to the NL, a decision made by more than just a few hurlers who can relish the thought of a soft spot in opposing lineups, having dealt with the DH for their entire career.
Morrow will enter the 2015 season with a 42-43 lifetime mark and a 4.28 ERA.
Jon Lester was on the mound as starter for the Cubs and was treated rudely, allowing six runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
The Padres are 7-6 in Spring games. The Cubs retreated to 5-9.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Justin Masterson Perfect in Three Innings for Red Sox; Matt Kemp Making Impact for San Diego
Players of the Day for Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Grapefruit League
After a bitterly disappointing 2014 campaign, the Boston Red Sox are undergoing a complete makeover. In the case of Justin Masterson, it's back to where they started, as the 6'6" right-hander returns to the team with which he started, back in 2008.
A trade brought Masterson to Cleveland in 2009, where he spent the next four full seasons, before heading to St. Louis in the middle of 2014. The Red Sox picked him up in a free agency deal and recently signed him to a one-year, $9.5 million deal.
So far, so good, as Masterson has allowed just one hit in five innings this Spring. On Tuesday, his three innings of shutout, no-hit ball propelled Boston to their fifth win in seven outings, a 5-1 victory over the Rays. He fanned four without issing any bases on balls.
five more hurlers followed Masterson to the mound, allowing a total of just three hits. Tampa Bay finally broke through for its only run in the eighth inning, though by then, the result had already been largely determined. Tampa Bay is 1-4 thus far into the Grapefruit League season.
Cactus League
The odd man out in the Dodgers' crowded outfield last season, Matt Kemp took the off-season route down the road to San Diego, and, from the looks of things thus far, he's going to add a ton of offense to the Padres' lineup in 2015.
Kemp went 3-for-3 as San Diego doubled up the Giants, 10-5, including his first homer of the pre-season, a three-run, third-inning blast.
A two-time All-Star, Kemp nearly captured the NL MVP back in 2011, when he batted .324 with 39 homers and 126 RBI. He led the league that season in the power categories and his batting average was good for third overall, but he fell short in the voting to Ryan Braun, who was later punished for using performance-enhancing substances.
Kemp should probably have won the award, and while the revelations about Braun may have been somewhat of a tonic to him, his last three seasons with the Dodgers have not been nearly up to the quality of that 2011 season. Everybody in San Diego is hoping Kemp will return to all-star form. He's batting a healthy .545 (6-for-11) thus far.
Grapefruit League
 |
| Masterson |
A trade brought Masterson to Cleveland in 2009, where he spent the next four full seasons, before heading to St. Louis in the middle of 2014. The Red Sox picked him up in a free agency deal and recently signed him to a one-year, $9.5 million deal.
So far, so good, as Masterson has allowed just one hit in five innings this Spring. On Tuesday, his three innings of shutout, no-hit ball propelled Boston to their fifth win in seven outings, a 5-1 victory over the Rays. He fanned four without issing any bases on balls.
five more hurlers followed Masterson to the mound, allowing a total of just three hits. Tampa Bay finally broke through for its only run in the eighth inning, though by then, the result had already been largely determined. Tampa Bay is 1-4 thus far into the Grapefruit League season.
Cactus League
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| Kemp: .545 BA |
Kemp went 3-for-3 as San Diego doubled up the Giants, 10-5, including his first homer of the pre-season, a three-run, third-inning blast.
A two-time All-Star, Kemp nearly captured the NL MVP back in 2011, when he batted .324 with 39 homers and 126 RBI. He led the league that season in the power categories and his batting average was good for third overall, but he fell short in the voting to Ryan Braun, who was later punished for using performance-enhancing substances.
Kemp should probably have won the award, and while the revelations about Braun may have been somewhat of a tonic to him, his last three seasons with the Dodgers have not been nearly up to the quality of that 2011 season. Everybody in San Diego is hoping Kemp will return to all-star form. He's batting a healthy .545 (6-for-11) thus far.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Will Middlebrooks, Andrew Cashner Power Padres; Jordany Valdespin, Reid Brignac Wreck Mets in Marlin Win
Players of the Day for Monday, March 9, 2015
Grapefruit League
Before some Mets' batters had even gotten to the plate, the Marlins had already put up nine runs on their NL East foes, scoring six in the second and three more in the third inning. The players doing the bulk of the damage were fresh faces on the Miami roster, Jordany Valdespin and Reid Brignac.
Valdespin, who started with the Mets and played in 54 games for the Marlins last season, singled and tripled in four at-bats, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Brignac, who spent last season in Philadelphia, went 3-for-4 (all singles) also driving in three and scoring twice.
When it was all said and done, the Marlins pasted the Mets, 13-2, improving to 3-2 for the Spring while dropping the Mets to a 3-4 mark.
Cactus League
Will Middlebrooks socked a three-run, second inning homer in support of three innings of no-hit ball from Andrew Cashner as the San Diego Padres evened their record at 3-3 and sent the Cubs to their fifth straight defeat of the spring without a win with a 6-3 victory.
Cashner blanked the punchless Cubs over the first three innings, walking one, while striking out a trio. After going 10-9 in 2013 with the Padres, Cashner dipped to a 5-7 mark over 19 starts in 2014, though his ERA dropped to a very respectable 2.55. He's expected to remain in the San Diego starting rotation.
Middlebrooks, who spent the last three seasons playing part-time for the Boston Red Sox, is looking to catch on as the regular third baseman with the Padres and he's off to a good start with a .400 batting average in two games. The Texas native needs to work on his plate demeanor, as his batting average has gone from .288 in 2012, to .227 in 2013, to a scary .191 last season.
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| Brignac |
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| Valdespin |
Valdespin, who started with the Mets and played in 54 games for the Marlins last season, singled and tripled in four at-bats, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Brignac, who spent last season in Philadelphia, went 3-for-4 (all singles) also driving in three and scoring twice.
When it was all said and done, the Marlins pasted the Mets, 13-2, improving to 3-2 for the Spring while dropping the Mets to a 3-4 mark.
Cactus League
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| Cashner |
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| Middlebrooks |
Cashner blanked the punchless Cubs over the first three innings, walking one, while striking out a trio. After going 10-9 in 2013 with the Padres, Cashner dipped to a 5-7 mark over 19 starts in 2014, though his ERA dropped to a very respectable 2.55. He's expected to remain in the San Diego starting rotation.
Middlebrooks, who spent the last three seasons playing part-time for the Boston Red Sox, is looking to catch on as the regular third baseman with the Padres and he's off to a good start with a .400 batting average in two games. The Texas native needs to work on his plate demeanor, as his batting average has gone from .288 in 2012, to .227 in 2013, to a scary .191 last season.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Homers by Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera Power Tigers over Twins; Andrew Cashner Tosses 2-Hit Shutout over Phillies
Players of the Day for Monday, September 15, 2014
American League
Breaking a 6-6 tie in the top of the ninth inning, Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera socked back-to-back homers to give Detroit a 8-6 win at Minnesota in the opener of a three-game series with the Twins.
The win was the fourth in a row for the Tigers, who have regained control of the AL Central after yielding the lead to Kansas City in August. Coupled with the Royals' 4-3 win over the White Sox, Detroit holds a 1 1/2 game edge in the division.
Game two is Tuesday at 8:10 pm EDT.
The other two divisions of the AL are nearly decided as both the Angels and Orioles won on Monday, the Angels topping Seattle - and sending the Mariners further down the standings in the wild card hunt - 8-1, while Baltimore took care of second-place Toronto with a 5-2 win over the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Baltimore's victory opened a three-game series with Toronto and set the stage for a possible clinching of the division on Tuesday, when the two teams meet for game two at 7:05 pm EDT. Baltimore's magic number is now one; LA's is three, as the A's are 10 1/2 back and were idle on Monday.
The A's have a one-game edge over KC for the first wild card. Seattle trails KC for the second wild card by two games. Toronto, Cleveland and New York are further back with fading hopes of reaching the post-season. The Yankees - 1-0 losers at Tampa Bay Monday - were officially eliminated from the AL EAst race.
National League
Andrew Cashner (4-7, 2.20) took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, eventually settling for a two-hit shutout for the Padres in a 1-0 win over the visiting Phillies Monday night.
Cashner walked one (Chase Utley in the fourth), fanned seven and threw 68 of 92 pitches for strikes. Domonic Brown bunted his way on with one out in the fifth, but was quickly erased on an inning-ending double play. Marlon Byrd's leadoff single in the eighth inning was the only other hit for the flat-lining Phillies.
The shutout was the second of the season for the San Diego hurler. Cashner shut out the Tigers on one hit back on April 11.
Elsewhere, division leaders LA and Washington were both winners; the Cardinals maintained a 3 1/2 game lead over the Pirates in the Central. Both the Cards and Pirates were idle on Monday.
In the only significant wild card action, San Francisco dropped its third straight, losing, 6-2, at Arizona. The Giants still hold a 2 1/2 game edge over the Pirates in the wild card. Pittsburgh is 1 1/2 in front of Milwaukee for the second wild card slot. The Brewers were also off Monday.
American League
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| Miguel Cabrera |
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| Torii Hunter |
The win was the fourth in a row for the Tigers, who have regained control of the AL Central after yielding the lead to Kansas City in August. Coupled with the Royals' 4-3 win over the White Sox, Detroit holds a 1 1/2 game edge in the division.
Game two is Tuesday at 8:10 pm EDT.
The other two divisions of the AL are nearly decided as both the Angels and Orioles won on Monday, the Angels topping Seattle - and sending the Mariners further down the standings in the wild card hunt - 8-1, while Baltimore took care of second-place Toronto with a 5-2 win over the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Baltimore's victory opened a three-game series with Toronto and set the stage for a possible clinching of the division on Tuesday, when the two teams meet for game two at 7:05 pm EDT. Baltimore's magic number is now one; LA's is three, as the A's are 10 1/2 back and were idle on Monday.
The A's have a one-game edge over KC for the first wild card. Seattle trails KC for the second wild card by two games. Toronto, Cleveland and New York are further back with fading hopes of reaching the post-season. The Yankees - 1-0 losers at Tampa Bay Monday - were officially eliminated from the AL EAst race.
National League
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| Cashner: 2H ShO |
Cashner walked one (Chase Utley in the fourth), fanned seven and threw 68 of 92 pitches for strikes. Domonic Brown bunted his way on with one out in the fifth, but was quickly erased on an inning-ending double play. Marlon Byrd's leadoff single in the eighth inning was the only other hit for the flat-lining Phillies.
The shutout was the second of the season for the San Diego hurler. Cashner shut out the Tigers on one hit back on April 11.
Elsewhere, division leaders LA and Washington were both winners; the Cardinals maintained a 3 1/2 game lead over the Pirates in the Central. Both the Cards and Pirates were idle on Monday.
In the only significant wild card action, San Francisco dropped its third straight, losing, 6-2, at Arizona. The Giants still hold a 2 1/2 game edge over the Pirates in the wild card. Pittsburgh is 1 1/2 in front of Milwaukee for the second wild card slot. The Brewers were also off Monday.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
David Ortiz Belts a Pair, Drives in Six for Red Sox; Jedd Gyorko's Slam, Five RBI, Buries Cardinals
Players of the Day for Saturday, August 16, 2014
American League
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| Ortiz: elite |
Ortiz crunched a pair of homers in Boston's 10-7 win over Houston. The man known around Boston as "Big Papi" has a career total of 459 home runs, having begun his career with Minnesota prior to being traded to the Red Sox following the 2002 season.
Both of the Ortiz blasts were two-run shots, one in the third and one in the fifth, but his big blow came in the eighth inning, when he broke open a tight game with a bases-loaded triple, plating two more runs for a 9-6 Boston lead. His six RBI gave him the AL and major league lead, with 91. He's fourth in home runs in the AL with 28.
Yastrzemski had 452 career home runs; Williams hit 521. Both spent their complete careers with the Red Sox. Ortiz, who turns 39 on November 18, has a very good shot at reaching the 500 club, with 28 long balls thus far and 40 more games to play this year, the magical mark is within reach next season. He is currently 36th on the all-time list. Among active players, only Adam Dunn (459), Albert Pujols (514) and Alex Rodriguez (654) have more.
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| Gyorko: slammin' |
St. Louis dropped another game further behind the Central division-leading Brewers on Saturday, dropping a 9-5 decision at home to the San Diego Padres, as Jedd Gyorko lashed a grand slam and drove in another run with a single, giving him five RBI for the game.
The Cardinals slipped to three games behind the Brewers, who were busy taking their second straight from the Dodgers in Los Angeles, 3-2.
Gyorko is in his second season with the Padres, and has eight home runs and 41 RBI in 74 games. The grand slam came in the seventh inning, turning a 5-4 Cardinal lead, into an 8-5 edge for the Padres.
Currently leading the wild card race, St. Louis has company, with the Giants a game back, Pittsburgh 1 1/2 behind and Altanta, 2 1/2 back.
St. Louis leads the series, two games to one. The series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 2:15 pm EDT at Bush Stadium.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Tommy Medica Goes 5-for-5 in Padres Win; David Murphy Leads Cleveland Past Rangers, 12-2
Players of the Day for Friday, August 1, 2014
American League
With two months left in the regular season, all six of the divisional races are still up for grabs, but the one in which the team on top has the biggest lead - the AL Central - could become the most interesting of all.
The Tigers still command a four-game edge over the Royals, who have won three straight, but the Indians and White Sox, 6 1/2 and seven games back, respectively, have not gone away.
All four Central contenders won on Friday, the Indians taking the first of their three-game series in Cleveland with a 12-2 pounding of the Rangers.
Batting out of the eighth spot, David Murphy provided some bottom-of-the-order offense with a 4-for-4 performance, banging two doubles, a pair of singles, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Murphy also had an eventful night in right field, throwing out Adrian Beltre at the plate to preserve a slender, 1-0, lead in the second inning, followed by an error on a bobble in the third, which did not result in any unearned runs.
Some may call it payback, but Murphy's big night came against the team for which he played six seasons, and which traded him to the Indians following 2013.
The series resumes Saturday, at 7:05 pm EDT.
National League
Trailing the Nationals by 1 1/2 in the East, one would think the Braves would relish a three-game series at San Diego, but the Braves went down in flames for the fourth straight time in the opener of their series at Petco Park, hammered by the Padres, 10-1.
San Diego banged out 20 hits, five of them by rookie first baseman, Tommy Medica, in five at-bats.
Medica, a UC-Santa Clara graduate, banged a pair of two-run homers (#s 5 and 6), three singles, drove in four runs, stole a base ad scored four times, certainly his best game as a major leaguer. with just 150 at-bats this season, Medica's batting average went from .248 to .273 in just one game.
San Diego still has a bit of hope in the West, trailing the Dodgers by 12 1/2, but time is running out on them.
Game two of the series is slated for an 8:40 pm EDT start on Saturday.
American League
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| Murphy: 4-for-4 |
The Tigers still command a four-game edge over the Royals, who have won three straight, but the Indians and White Sox, 6 1/2 and seven games back, respectively, have not gone away.
All four Central contenders won on Friday, the Indians taking the first of their three-game series in Cleveland with a 12-2 pounding of the Rangers.
Batting out of the eighth spot, David Murphy provided some bottom-of-the-order offense with a 4-for-4 performance, banging two doubles, a pair of singles, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Murphy also had an eventful night in right field, throwing out Adrian Beltre at the plate to preserve a slender, 1-0, lead in the second inning, followed by an error on a bobble in the third, which did not result in any unearned runs.
Some may call it payback, but Murphy's big night came against the team for which he played six seasons, and which traded him to the Indians following 2013.
The series resumes Saturday, at 7:05 pm EDT.
National League
 |
| Medica: 5-for-5 |
San Diego banged out 20 hits, five of them by rookie first baseman, Tommy Medica, in five at-bats.
Medica, a UC-Santa Clara graduate, banged a pair of two-run homers (#s 5 and 6), three singles, drove in four runs, stole a base ad scored four times, certainly his best game as a major leaguer. with just 150 at-bats this season, Medica's batting average went from .248 to .273 in just one game.
San Diego still has a bit of hope in the West, trailing the Dodgers by 12 1/2, but time is running out on them.
Game two of the series is slated for an 8:40 pm EDT start on Saturday.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Cleveland's Cory Kluber Goes Distance in 2-0 Tribe Win; Jedd Gyorko Powers Padres to 12-1 Victory over Cardinals
Players of the Day for Wednesday, July 30, 2014
American League
Keeping hopes alive in Cleveland, the Indians got to within one game of .500 (53-54), as Cory Kluber out-dueled Seattle's Felix Hernandez in a 2-0 Tribe victory.
Kluber hurled his second complete game of the season and first shutout of his major league career, which officially began in 2012, when he was 2-5 as a starter for the Indians. Kluber was 11-5 in 2013.
Allowing just three hits, Kluber twirled a gem, fanning eight without issuing a walk. He needed only 85 pitches to go the distance for his 11th win against six losses. 69 of his pitches went for strikes and he was consistently ahead of batters, throwing first-pitch strikes to 22 of the 28 batters he faced. Cleveland turned two double plays behind him, as Kluber faced just one batter over the minimum.
Yan Gomes drove in the only runs of the game with a double in the fifth inning.
The Indians will look to take two of three from the visiting Mariners when the teams meet for the rubber game of the series at 7:05 pm EDT at Progressive Field.
National League
It's a typical season in San Diego, with the Padres languishing well off the pace in the division, currently 12 1/2 games behind the Dodgers and little hope for the remainder of the schedule.
However, the Padres are staring at an unusual circumstance after trashing the Cardinals, 12-1, in game two of their three-game series. Another win would give them a sweep of the perennially-contentious Cards.
After taking game one by a 3-1 score, Wednesday's contest became a farce, when the Padres plated eight runs in the seventh inning, aided by Jedd Gyorko's bases-loaded triple, which, after a solo homer in the third inning, gave him four RBI on the night. The second-year player out of the University of West Virginia added a single for three hits in five at bats with a pair of runs.
Gyorko, a regular at second base, knocked 23 homers as a rookie last season for the Padres, but has spent a good portion of this season in the minors. In 59 games with San Diego in 2014, he's batting just .181, with six homers and 29 RBI.
The Pardes will be seeking the sweep on Thursday afternoon. Game time is 12:40 PDT at Petco Park.
American League
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| Kluber: 3-hitter |
Kluber hurled his second complete game of the season and first shutout of his major league career, which officially began in 2012, when he was 2-5 as a starter for the Indians. Kluber was 11-5 in 2013.
Allowing just three hits, Kluber twirled a gem, fanning eight without issuing a walk. He needed only 85 pitches to go the distance for his 11th win against six losses. 69 of his pitches went for strikes and he was consistently ahead of batters, throwing first-pitch strikes to 22 of the 28 batters he faced. Cleveland turned two double plays behind him, as Kluber faced just one batter over the minimum.
Yan Gomes drove in the only runs of the game with a double in the fifth inning.
The Indians will look to take two of three from the visiting Mariners when the teams meet for the rubber game of the series at 7:05 pm EDT at Progressive Field.
National League
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| Jedd Gyorko |
However, the Padres are staring at an unusual circumstance after trashing the Cardinals, 12-1, in game two of their three-game series. Another win would give them a sweep of the perennially-contentious Cards.
After taking game one by a 3-1 score, Wednesday's contest became a farce, when the Padres plated eight runs in the seventh inning, aided by Jedd Gyorko's bases-loaded triple, which, after a solo homer in the third inning, gave him four RBI on the night. The second-year player out of the University of West Virginia added a single for three hits in five at bats with a pair of runs.
Gyorko, a regular at second base, knocked 23 homers as a rookie last season for the Padres, but has spent a good portion of this season in the minors. In 59 games with San Diego in 2014, he's batting just .181, with six homers and 29 RBI.
The Pardes will be seeking the sweep on Thursday afternoon. Game time is 12:40 PDT at Petco Park.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Rays Hand Rangers 7th Straight Loss as Wil Myers Leads 6-2 Victory; Padres' Andrew Cashner Tosses One-Hitter at Pirates
Players of the Day for Monday, September 16, 2013
American League
It what may turn out to be an extended preview of the one-game playoff between wild card teams, the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays began a four-game series Monday at Tropicana Park where the Rays had the edge, coming away with a 6-2 victory.
While the Rangers can boast about playoff experience, their roster loaded with veterans, a couple of big differences in the game were provided by youthful Rays, as Alex Cobb struck out ten and allowed just two earned runs over eight innings and rookie Wil Myers went 2-for-4 with a double, his 13th home run, two scores and three RBI.
Myers got the Rays on the board first, with a solo shot in the second inning, then put the Rays back in front, 2-1, in the fourth, scoing on a sac fly by Desmond Jennings. He also delivered a two-run double in the decisive fifth inning when the Rays plated four, taking the lead for good and giving their starter some breathing room.
The Tampa Bay win put the Rays in the enviable position of claiming the first wild card, a game better than the Rangers, who now have lost seven straight in a mid-September collapse.
Game two of the series is slated for 7:10 pm EDT in Tampa.
AL Wild Card Standings
National League
For Pittsburgh, the road to the playoffs is definitely not a straight one. The Pirates remained tied for first place in the NL Central with the Cardinals as both they and St. Louis went down in flames on Monday.
St. Louis dropped a 6-2 decision in Colorado, while the Pirates were being limited to one hit by journeyman hurler, Andrew Cashner, en route to a 2-0 San Diego win that was Cashner's first complete game shutout in a three-year major league career.
Cashner had a perfect game spoiled by Jose Tabata, who singled leading off the Pirate seventh, but was erased an out later when Andrew McCutchen grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Cashner maintained his cool, setting down the final six in order, completing the one-hitter by pitching to the minimum 27 batters. He did not walk anyone, nor were there any errors, passed balls, wild pitches or hit batsmen. Improving to 10-8 on the year, Cashner threw 67 of 97 pitches for strikes. He struck out seven, got 13 hitters on fly balls and seven on grounders.
Pittsburgh will try to get a few more hits when they host the padres in game two of the four-game series, Tueday night at 7:05 pm EDT.
Today's Trivia: The 2004 and 2005 World Series were both won 4-0 by the AL teams. Which teams were they and which NL teams did they defeat? (answer tomorrow)
Yesterday's Answer: Lou Gehrig is fifth all-time in on-base percentage, at .4474. Ty Cobb is ninth (.4330) and Jimmie Foxx 10th, at .4283.
American League
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| Wil Myers |
While the Rangers can boast about playoff experience, their roster loaded with veterans, a couple of big differences in the game were provided by youthful Rays, as Alex Cobb struck out ten and allowed just two earned runs over eight innings and rookie Wil Myers went 2-for-4 with a double, his 13th home run, two scores and three RBI.
Myers got the Rays on the board first, with a solo shot in the second inning, then put the Rays back in front, 2-1, in the fourth, scoing on a sac fly by Desmond Jennings. He also delivered a two-run double in the decisive fifth inning when the Rays plated four, taking the lead for good and giving their starter some breathing room.
The Tampa Bay win put the Rays in the enviable position of claiming the first wild card, a game better than the Rangers, who now have lost seven straight in a mid-September collapse.
Game two of the series is slated for 7:10 pm EDT in Tampa.
AL Wild Card Standings
| Team | GB |
| Tampa Bay | +1 |
| Texas | -- |
| Cleveland | -1/2 |
| Baltimore | -2 |
| NY Yankees | -2 1/2 |
| Kansas City | -2 1/2 |
National League
 |
| Andrew Cashner |
St. Louis dropped a 6-2 decision in Colorado, while the Pirates were being limited to one hit by journeyman hurler, Andrew Cashner, en route to a 2-0 San Diego win that was Cashner's first complete game shutout in a three-year major league career.
Cashner had a perfect game spoiled by Jose Tabata, who singled leading off the Pirate seventh, but was erased an out later when Andrew McCutchen grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Cashner maintained his cool, setting down the final six in order, completing the one-hitter by pitching to the minimum 27 batters. He did not walk anyone, nor were there any errors, passed balls, wild pitches or hit batsmen. Improving to 10-8 on the year, Cashner threw 67 of 97 pitches for strikes. He struck out seven, got 13 hitters on fly balls and seven on grounders.
Pittsburgh will try to get a few more hits when they host the padres in game two of the four-game series, Tueday night at 7:05 pm EDT.
Today's Trivia: The 2004 and 2005 World Series were both won 4-0 by the AL teams. Which teams were they and which NL teams did they defeat? (answer tomorrow)
Yesterday's Answer: Lou Gehrig is fifth all-time in on-base percentage, at .4474. Ty Cobb is ninth (.4330) and Jimmie Foxx 10th, at .4283.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Miguel Cabrera's Three Homers Wasted in Tigers' Loss at Texas; Yonder Alonso, Padres Pound Nationals, 13-4
Players of the Day for Sunday, May 19, 2013
American League
Playing in front of a national TV audience on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, Miguel Cabrera put on a power performance, but Adrian Beltre and David Murphy powered Texas to an 11-8 victory, taking their series with the Tigers three games to one.
Cabrera belted three homers - two solo shots and a two-run bomb - singled in the first inning and walked and scored in the sixth, but his 4-for-4, five RBI effort was for naught as the Rangers rallied from a 4-1 deficit with four runs in the fifth, four more in the sixth and two in the eighth.
David Murphy's three-run homer in the sixth gave Texas a lead they would not relinquish. Beltre had two doubles and went 4-for-5.
The loss for the Tigers left them two games behind Cleveland in the AL Central, while Texas enjoys a 6 1/2 game bulge over Oakland in the West.
Cabrera, who took down the triple crown last season, leads the league in RBI with 47, batting average (.387) and his 11 homers is one behind an AL foursome with 12.
National League
While the Giants, Rockies and Diamondbacks try to sort things out atop the NL West, San Diego continues to make progress on the leaders.
Despite a record of 20-23, the Padres are only 4 1/2 back of Arizona, which held onto a one-game lead despite a 2-1 loss at Miami. Colorado topped the Giants, 6-0, tying the Giants for second place.
San Diego earned a 2-2 split in their home series with the Nationals, banging out 15 hits to take the finale, 13-4.
Unheralded Yonder Alonso singled, doubled and cranked out his sixth homer of the season, scoring three times and driving in a pair of runs. The Padres hammered Washington starter, Dan Haren (4-5), for seven runs on nine hits over five innings.
In his second full year with the Padres, Alonso is having a solid start to his season, batting .289 with 26 RBI.
The loss left Washington 2 1/2 behind the Braves in the East. On Monday, San Diego begins a three-game series with Central division leader, St. Louis.
Today's Trivia: In 2009, Ichiro Suzuki led the majors with 224 hits. He was followed by two players - each with more than 200 hits - who played for the same team. Who were they?
Yesterday's Answer: Albert Pujols took the NL Home Run and RBI titles; his .312 batting average was tied for fifth with teammate Matt Holliday.
American League
Playing in front of a national TV audience on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, Miguel Cabrera put on a power performance, but Adrian Beltre and David Murphy powered Texas to an 11-8 victory, taking their series with the Tigers three games to one.
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| Miguel Cabrera |
David Murphy's three-run homer in the sixth gave Texas a lead they would not relinquish. Beltre had two doubles and went 4-for-5.
The loss for the Tigers left them two games behind Cleveland in the AL Central, while Texas enjoys a 6 1/2 game bulge over Oakland in the West.
Cabrera, who took down the triple crown last season, leads the league in RBI with 47, batting average (.387) and his 11 homers is one behind an AL foursome with 12.
National League
While the Giants, Rockies and Diamondbacks try to sort things out atop the NL West, San Diego continues to make progress on the leaders.
 |
| Yonder Alonso |
Despite a record of 20-23, the Padres are only 4 1/2 back of Arizona, which held onto a one-game lead despite a 2-1 loss at Miami. Colorado topped the Giants, 6-0, tying the Giants for second place.
San Diego earned a 2-2 split in their home series with the Nationals, banging out 15 hits to take the finale, 13-4.
Unheralded Yonder Alonso singled, doubled and cranked out his sixth homer of the season, scoring three times and driving in a pair of runs. The Padres hammered Washington starter, Dan Haren (4-5), for seven runs on nine hits over five innings.
In his second full year with the Padres, Alonso is having a solid start to his season, batting .289 with 26 RBI.
The loss left Washington 2 1/2 behind the Braves in the East. On Monday, San Diego begins a three-game series with Central division leader, St. Louis.
Today's Trivia: In 2009, Ichiro Suzuki led the majors with 224 hits. He was followed by two players - each with more than 200 hits - who played for the same team. Who were they?
Yesterday's Answer: Albert Pujols took the NL Home Run and RBI titles; his .312 batting average was tied for fifth with teammate Matt Holliday.
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