Baseball season isn't as far away as some people might think.
The Sporting News has information on reporting dates for all MLB teams, broken down by dates for pitchers and catchers, and then, full squad.
All major league teams will have pitchers and catchers report on either February 12 or 13, and full squads have their first scheduled practices on either the 17th or 18th.
The Royals and Rangers will open the exhibition season with the first spring training game, played February 21st at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. That game starts the Cactus League schedule.
Florida's Grapefruit League opens the following day with eight games on the slate.
Showing posts with label Texas Rangers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas Rangers. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Texas Rookie Ronald Guzman Bombs Yankees With 3 HRs; Reds' Anthony DeSclafani Stymies Diamondbacks
Players of the Day for Friday, August 10, 2018
American League
No rookie has ever hit three homers in a game against the New York Yankees ...until now.
23-year-old first baseman, Ronald Guzman, accomplished the feat on Friday, helping lift the Texas Rangers to a 12-7 victory after dropping the opener of their four-game series, 7-3.
Guzman socked two homers off Masahiro Tanaka and one off A.J. Cole as the Rangers piled up 14 hits. Guzman's homers were all of the solo variety. He has 12 HRs on the season, to go with 46 RBI and a .245 batting average.
His second homer off Tanaka sent the Yankee hurler to the showers and his third loss against nine wins.
Elvis Andrus, who had his career-best 19-game hitting streak broken in Thursday's loss, went 4-for-5 with three RBI.
The Yanks trail the Red Sox by nine games in the AL East. Texas remained in last place in the West, despite going 10-4 since July 27.
Game three is on tap for Saturday, 1:05 pm EDT at Yankee Stadium.
National League
The Reds aren't likely to make the playoffs this season, but they are in a position to play spoiler as 11 of the league's 15 teams contend for three division pennants and two wild card spots. Along with the Reds, only the Mets, Marlins and Padres have little to no post-season aspirations.
On Friday, Cincinnati pushed back against the Diamondbacks with a 3-0 win at Great American Ball Park to open a three-game set, leaving Arizona and the LA Dodgers tied for first place in the NL West.
Anthony DeSclafani tossed seven innings of shutout ball, improving to 6-3 on the year and 26-23 lifetime, allowing three hits and no walks, fanning nine.
DeSclafani also singled in the seventh and scored on a throwing error by Arizona's Clay Buckholtz on a Billy Hamilton bunt. The 28-year-old right-hander started the eighth, but was lifted after Steven Souza, Jr. singled to lead off the inning. DeSclafani gave up singles in the first and fourth innings, setting down the side in order in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings, throwing 63 of 94 pitches for strikes.
Game two of the series is scheduled for a 6:40 pm EDT start in Cincinnati.
American League
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| Guzman: 3HRs vs. Yanks |
23-year-old first baseman, Ronald Guzman, accomplished the feat on Friday, helping lift the Texas Rangers to a 12-7 victory after dropping the opener of their four-game series, 7-3.
Guzman socked two homers off Masahiro Tanaka and one off A.J. Cole as the Rangers piled up 14 hits. Guzman's homers were all of the solo variety. He has 12 HRs on the season, to go with 46 RBI and a .245 batting average.
His second homer off Tanaka sent the Yankee hurler to the showers and his third loss against nine wins.
Elvis Andrus, who had his career-best 19-game hitting streak broken in Thursday's loss, went 4-for-5 with three RBI.
The Yanks trail the Red Sox by nine games in the AL East. Texas remained in last place in the West, despite going 10-4 since July 27.
Game three is on tap for Saturday, 1:05 pm EDT at Yankee Stadium.
National League
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| DeSclafani: 7IP, 3H, 0ER |
On Friday, Cincinnati pushed back against the Diamondbacks with a 3-0 win at Great American Ball Park to open a three-game set, leaving Arizona and the LA Dodgers tied for first place in the NL West.
Anthony DeSclafani tossed seven innings of shutout ball, improving to 6-3 on the year and 26-23 lifetime, allowing three hits and no walks, fanning nine.
DeSclafani also singled in the seventh and scored on a throwing error by Arizona's Clay Buckholtz on a Billy Hamilton bunt. The 28-year-old right-hander started the eighth, but was lifted after Steven Souza, Jr. singled to lead off the inning. DeSclafani gave up singles in the first and fourth innings, setting down the side in order in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings, throwing 63 of 94 pitches for strikes.
Game two of the series is scheduled for a 6:40 pm EDT start in Cincinnati.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Arizona's Patrick Corbin Blanks Phillies Over 7 1/3; Joey Gallo Wrecks Seattle In 11-7 Texas Win
Players of the Day for Wednesday, August 8, 2018
American League
Joey Gallo socked a pair of home runs and drove in four runs, going 3-for-5 in the Rangers' 11-7 win over Seattle.
Gallo, who at age 24 is in his second full season with the Rangers, has 31 homers and 71 RBI. He and his Texas teammates made life miserable for Seattle's visit to Texas, scoring 11 runs in each of the last two games, taking the series two games to one and dropping the Mariners eight games off the pace in the AL West and three behind Oakland for the second wild card slot.
The Rangers reminded the Mariners of how important division contests are. They evened the season series at six games apiece despite being in last place in the division and hopelessly out of contention.
Seattle, which has lost seven of their last nine, have a tough road directly ahead. They open a four-game series in Houston on Thursday, then head to Oakland for three games against the Athletics.
National League
Taking the rubber game of their three-game series with the visiting Phillies by a 6-0 score, the Arizona Diamondbacks regained first place in the NL West by 1/2 game as the Dodgers dropped a 3-2 decision to Oakland.
Arizona's success was aided greatly by starting pitcher, Patrick Corbin, who improved to 9-4 with 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball.
Corbin allowed four hits, walked none, and fanned nine, increasing his strikeout total to 183, tied for second in the league with the Mets' Jacob DeGrom. Max Scherzer leads the league with 216 Ks.
Philadelphia's loss reduced their lead in the NL East to 1/2 game over Atlanta, 8-3 winners at Washington.
Both league leaders have Thursday off. The Phillies open a three-game series at San Diego on Friday while the Diamondbacks open a nine-game road trip with three in Cincinnati.
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| Gallo: 3-for-5, 2HR, 4RBI |
Joey Gallo socked a pair of home runs and drove in four runs, going 3-for-5 in the Rangers' 11-7 win over Seattle.
Gallo, who at age 24 is in his second full season with the Rangers, has 31 homers and 71 RBI. He and his Texas teammates made life miserable for Seattle's visit to Texas, scoring 11 runs in each of the last two games, taking the series two games to one and dropping the Mariners eight games off the pace in the AL West and three behind Oakland for the second wild card slot.
The Rangers reminded the Mariners of how important division contests are. They evened the season series at six games apiece despite being in last place in the division and hopelessly out of contention.
Seattle, which has lost seven of their last nine, have a tough road directly ahead. They open a four-game series in Houston on Thursday, then head to Oakland for three games against the Athletics.
National League
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| Corbin: 7 1/3 IP, 0ER, 9K |
Arizona's success was aided greatly by starting pitcher, Patrick Corbin, who improved to 9-4 with 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball.
Corbin allowed four hits, walked none, and fanned nine, increasing his strikeout total to 183, tied for second in the league with the Mets' Jacob DeGrom. Max Scherzer leads the league with 216 Ks.
Philadelphia's loss reduced their lead in the NL East to 1/2 game over Atlanta, 8-3 winners at Washington.
Both league leaders have Thursday off. The Phillies open a three-game series at San Diego on Friday while the Diamondbacks open a nine-game road trip with three in Cincinnati.
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.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Robinson Chirinos Delivers Win For Rangers Over Astros; Starling Marte 5-for-5 As Pirates Down Marlins
Players of the Day for Sunday, April 15, 2018
American League
With five games cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, there were just three AL games played on Sunday.
The nationally-televised meeting between Houston and the Texas Rangers in Arlington, provided a suitable stage for the Rangers and Robinson Chirinos as they took their second straight from the reigning world champions with a 10-inning, 3-1 triumph.
Perhaps the baseball gods were looking in as every player in the majors was wearing number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, Chirinos offering a meaningful message as he drove in all of the Rangers' runs, including the game-winning double in the 10th, which supplied two runs.
Chirinos belted a solo homer in the third inning, and starting pitcher, Bartolo Colon, made it stand up until the Astros finally broke through with a run in the eighth. Both relief staffs kept the game tied until Chirinos unknotted it with his mighty rip to dead center.
The Rangers have already played the Astros seven times this season, and they've held their own, winning three of the contests. However, Texas has won only three other games and is dead last in the AL West, with a 6-11 mark. Houston is in second place behind the Angels, three back, at 10-6.
Both teams travel and play on Monday, with the Rangers landing in Tampa Bay, while the Astros open a series in Seattle.
National League
At 11-4, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to alarm opponents throughout the National League. A young team with loads of potential, the surprising Pirates hit he ground running this season and lead the Cardinals by 2 1/2 games in the wide-open NL Central following their 7-3 win at Miami.
The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the first, but they failed to hold it, mostly because every time Starling Marte stepped up to the plate, he found a way to get on base, going 5-for-5, scoring four times driving in one.
Singling and scoring in the third, fifth, and seventh inning, Marte finished off a perfect day at the plate with a solo home run in the ninth, completing the scoring for the Pirates.
One of the few Pittsburgh players that didn't get off to a blazing hot start, Marte raised his batting average from .241 entering the game, to .305 at its conclusion. He has three home runs and six RBI on the year.
Pittsburgh returns home to host the Colorado Rockies. Game one of the series begins Monday at 7:05 pm EDT.
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| Chirinos: HR, 2B, 3RBI |
With five games cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, there were just three AL games played on Sunday.
The nationally-televised meeting between Houston and the Texas Rangers in Arlington, provided a suitable stage for the Rangers and Robinson Chirinos as they took their second straight from the reigning world champions with a 10-inning, 3-1 triumph.
Perhaps the baseball gods were looking in as every player in the majors was wearing number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, Chirinos offering a meaningful message as he drove in all of the Rangers' runs, including the game-winning double in the 10th, which supplied two runs.
Chirinos belted a solo homer in the third inning, and starting pitcher, Bartolo Colon, made it stand up until the Astros finally broke through with a run in the eighth. Both relief staffs kept the game tied until Chirinos unknotted it with his mighty rip to dead center.
The Rangers have already played the Astros seven times this season, and they've held their own, winning three of the contests. However, Texas has won only three other games and is dead last in the AL West, with a 6-11 mark. Houston is in second place behind the Angels, three back, at 10-6.
Both teams travel and play on Monday, with the Rangers landing in Tampa Bay, while the Astros open a series in Seattle.
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| Marte: 5-for-5, HR, 4R |
National League
At 11-4, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to alarm opponents throughout the National League. A young team with loads of potential, the surprising Pirates hit he ground running this season and lead the Cardinals by 2 1/2 games in the wide-open NL Central following their 7-3 win at Miami.
The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the first, but they failed to hold it, mostly because every time Starling Marte stepped up to the plate, he found a way to get on base, going 5-for-5, scoring four times driving in one.
Singling and scoring in the third, fifth, and seventh inning, Marte finished off a perfect day at the plate with a solo home run in the ninth, completing the scoring for the Pirates.
One of the few Pittsburgh players that didn't get off to a blazing hot start, Marte raised his batting average from .241 entering the game, to .305 at its conclusion. He has three home runs and six RBI on the year.
Pittsburgh returns home to host the Colorado Rockies. Game one of the series begins Monday at 7:05 pm EDT.
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Grand Slam By Scooter Gennett Lifts Reds; Rougned Odor 2 HR Lead Ranger Rout Of White Sox
Players of the Day for Saturday, August 19, 2017
American League
Rougned Odor led a 20-hit assault by the Texas Rangers, as they hammered the visiting White Sox, 17-7, in the third of their four-game series.
Odor belted two home runs, giving him 26 on the year, and drove in five runs in the rout. The first of his two blasts capped a six-run third inning outburst by the Rangers and erased a 5-1 deficit. Odor's three-run homer came after the Rangers had already plated three in the inning.
Odor also homered in the fourth, a solo shot that added to the Texas lead, but, the real insult came in the seventh, when he walked with the bases full, giving him his fifth RBI of the game, upping his season total to 58.
The win put the Rangers at .500, with a 61-61 mark, and left them 1 1/2 games behind the Twins and Angels, presently co-owners of the second wild card spot. The Yankees have a good grip on they top wild card, with a 3 1/2 game lead.
The Rangers conclude their series with Chicago at 3:05 pm ET on Sunday.
National League
Not probable as a playoff team this season, the Cincinnati Reds (53-71) will be in the midst of the teams trying to make it to October via either the NL Central title or the wild card route.
To that end, Saturday's 11-8 defeat of the Braves in Atlanta may be of instruction to teams that will be facing the power-laden Reds in the days and weeks ahead.
The Reds were taking it to the Braves pretty well, leading, 7-2, after Scooter Gennett knocked in Joey Votto on a sac fly.
Atlanta would not go easily, however, scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning to close the gap. In the ninth, Gennett again was at the plate with a runner on third - and ones on first and second as well - when he uncorked his 21st home run of the season, a grand slam that put the Braves up comfortably, 11-4.
Atlanta would score four more in their final at-bat and put the tying run at the plate. Cincinnati reliever, Michael Lorenzen, slammed the door shut to close out the game.
Gennett is one of the reasons other teams should beware when facing the Reds. He's having the best season of his five year major league career, driving in 75 runs with a .292 batting average, surpassing his seasonal home run and RBI numbers in fewer games than in any of his previous years, all of which, prior to this year, were with the Brewers.
The victory gave the Reds a 2-0 lead in the series, which concludes Sunday at 1:35 pm ET. Atlanta has taken a severe blow to what slim playoff hope they may have had, falling 12 games out of the second spot over the past two games.
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| Odor: 2 HR, 5 RBI |
Rougned Odor led a 20-hit assault by the Texas Rangers, as they hammered the visiting White Sox, 17-7, in the third of their four-game series.
Odor belted two home runs, giving him 26 on the year, and drove in five runs in the rout. The first of his two blasts capped a six-run third inning outburst by the Rangers and erased a 5-1 deficit. Odor's three-run homer came after the Rangers had already plated three in the inning.
Odor also homered in the fourth, a solo shot that added to the Texas lead, but, the real insult came in the seventh, when he walked with the bases full, giving him his fifth RBI of the game, upping his season total to 58.
The win put the Rangers at .500, with a 61-61 mark, and left them 1 1/2 games behind the Twins and Angels, presently co-owners of the second wild card spot. The Yankees have a good grip on they top wild card, with a 3 1/2 game lead.
The Rangers conclude their series with Chicago at 3:05 pm ET on Sunday.
National League
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| Gennett Slams Braves |
Not probable as a playoff team this season, the Cincinnati Reds (53-71) will be in the midst of the teams trying to make it to October via either the NL Central title or the wild card route.
To that end, Saturday's 11-8 defeat of the Braves in Atlanta may be of instruction to teams that will be facing the power-laden Reds in the days and weeks ahead.
The Reds were taking it to the Braves pretty well, leading, 7-2, after Scooter Gennett knocked in Joey Votto on a sac fly.
Atlanta would not go easily, however, scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning to close the gap. In the ninth, Gennett again was at the plate with a runner on third - and ones on first and second as well - when he uncorked his 21st home run of the season, a grand slam that put the Braves up comfortably, 11-4.
Atlanta would score four more in their final at-bat and put the tying run at the plate. Cincinnati reliever, Michael Lorenzen, slammed the door shut to close out the game.
Gennett is one of the reasons other teams should beware when facing the Reds. He's having the best season of his five year major league career, driving in 75 runs with a .292 batting average, surpassing his seasonal home run and RBI numbers in fewer games than in any of his previous years, all of which, prior to this year, were with the Brewers.
The victory gave the Reds a 2-0 lead in the series, which concludes Sunday at 1:35 pm ET. Atlanta has taken a severe blow to what slim playoff hope they may have had, falling 12 games out of the second spot over the past two games.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Elvis Andrus Leads Texas Past Tigers, 12-6; Trevor Story's 2 HR Power Rockies Over Braves, 17-2
Players of the Day for Wednesday, August 16, 2017
American League
Hopelessly outpaced in the AL West by Houston but still in the hunt for a wild card spot, the Texas Rangers took a step forward, improving to just a game below .500 (59-60) with a 12-6 win over Detroit, sweeping the three-game series at Arlington.
Elvis Andrus had a big night, contributing three of the 17 Texas hits with two singles and his 16th home run, a solo whack that snapped a 4-4 tie in the fifth inning. Previously, Andrus had walked and scored on Adrian Beltre's two-run, third inning homer. Andres singled in two runs in the sixth, then stole second and scored on Nomar Mazara's three-run homer. Finally, Andrus singled home another score in the seventh, tallying four RBI and scoring three times.
Texas completes the sweep at an opportune time, hosting a four game series with the slumping White Sox - losers of four straight - beginning Thursday. After that, the Rangers head to LA for a four-game set with the Angels, the current holders of the second wild card slot, just two games in front of Texas.
National League
With Arizona losing at Houston, 9-5, the Colorado Rockies took back sole possession of the first wild card position with a 17-2 mauling of Atlanta at Coors Field in Denver.
The Rockies exploded for 18 hits, nine of them for extra bases. Nolan Arenado increased his RBI by two, to 103, which leads the majors. Trevor Story measured the tale of the tape, going 3-for-4 with a single and two hoe runs (17 & 18), knocking in six runs.
Story singled home a run in the third inning, then followed with a two-run blast in the fourth. In the seventh inning, he completed the Rockies' scoring for the game with a three-run shot to left. He has 56 RBI on the year.
Colorado leads the four-game series with the Braves, two games to one, with the finale scheduled for Thursday afternoon, at 3:10 pm ET. The Rockies hold a one-game lead in the wild card with Arizona second. NL Central contenders, St. Louis and Milwaukee trail the Diamondbacks by four and five games, respectively.
Streak Ended: While Miami was winning, 8-1, over the Giants, Giancarlo Stanton's six-game home run came to an end, though Stanton did single twice in four at-bats.
American League
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| Anrdus: 3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI |
Hopelessly outpaced in the AL West by Houston but still in the hunt for a wild card spot, the Texas Rangers took a step forward, improving to just a game below .500 (59-60) with a 12-6 win over Detroit, sweeping the three-game series at Arlington.
Elvis Andrus had a big night, contributing three of the 17 Texas hits with two singles and his 16th home run, a solo whack that snapped a 4-4 tie in the fifth inning. Previously, Andrus had walked and scored on Adrian Beltre's two-run, third inning homer. Andres singled in two runs in the sixth, then stole second and scored on Nomar Mazara's three-run homer. Finally, Andrus singled home another score in the seventh, tallying four RBI and scoring three times.
Texas completes the sweep at an opportune time, hosting a four game series with the slumping White Sox - losers of four straight - beginning Thursday. After that, the Rangers head to LA for a four-game set with the Angels, the current holders of the second wild card slot, just two games in front of Texas.
National League
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| Story: 2 HR, 6 RBI |
The Rockies exploded for 18 hits, nine of them for extra bases. Nolan Arenado increased his RBI by two, to 103, which leads the majors. Trevor Story measured the tale of the tape, going 3-for-4 with a single and two hoe runs (17 & 18), knocking in six runs.
Story singled home a run in the third inning, then followed with a two-run blast in the fourth. In the seventh inning, he completed the Rockies' scoring for the game with a three-run shot to left. He has 56 RBI on the year.
Colorado leads the four-game series with the Braves, two games to one, with the finale scheduled for Thursday afternoon, at 3:10 pm ET. The Rockies hold a one-game lead in the wild card with Arizona second. NL Central contenders, St. Louis and Milwaukee trail the Diamondbacks by four and five games, respectively.
Streak Ended: While Miami was winning, 8-1, over the Giants, Giancarlo Stanton's six-game home run came to an end, though Stanton did single twice in four at-bats.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Charlie Blackmon 4-5, 4 R, Rockies Top Nats, 10-6; Steve Pearce Slams Again For Jays; Adrian Beltre Notches #3000
Players of the Day for Sunday, July 30, 2017
American League
He did it again.
Just three days after slugging a 10th-inning, walk-off grand slam in Toronto's 8-4 win over the A's, Steve Pearce capped a dramatic seven-run, ninth inning rally with another bases-full round-tripper, leading the Blue Jays over the LA Angels, 11-10.
Pearce's second walk-off grand slam in four days came off Angels' reliever, Bud Norris, who surrendered three hits and a walk and was charged with all four runs off Pearce's bat. Prior to Norris' appearance, Brooks Pounders failed to record an out in the bottom of the ninth. He faced three batters, allowed two hits and a walk and was charged with three runs.
Toronto's win came as the top two teams in the AL East - New York and Boston - were losing, but the Jays still trail by eight games in the division and also have to contend with the Orioles and Rays, both winners on Sunday.
Pearce's and Toronto's flair for the dramatic may have come too late in the season for the Blue Jays, however. They got off to a poor start, had injuries to key players and have not recovered. Despite having a mostly healthy lineup, Toronto is just 8-9 since the all-star break, though they have won five of their last seven.
Toronto begins a six-game road trip Monday, opening with the White Sox, then on to Houston for three games.
MILESTONE: Adrian Beltre recorded his 3000th major league hit Sunday with a fourth-inning double off Baltimore starter, Wade Miley. Beltre would later score on Rougned Odor's single, but the Orioles out-slugged the Rangers, 10-6. Beltre becomes the 31st player to reach the 3000-hit level, joining Roborto Clemente at the magic mark. Beltre, 38, is a 20 year veteran who has played his entire career - save 2010 in Boston - in the AL West, with the Angels, Seattle, and currently, the Rangers. He is a career .286 hitter, with 454 home runs and 1607 RBI, Hall of Fame numbers for sure.
National League
With a rainout of their scheduled Friday night opener, the three-game series between Colorado and Washington evolved into game one on Saturday and a double-header Sunday. The Rockies won Saturday, 4-2, and took the first game of the double-header, 10-6 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, thanks to another outstanding game from leadoff hitter, Charlie Blackmon, who's been tearing up opposing pitching all season long.
In five at-bats, Blackmon lashed four singles, drove in a run, stole a base and scored four times, improving his batting average to .329, fourth-best in the National League, .001 behind Washington's Bryce Harper. Blackmon leads the league in runs, with 93; Harper is second, at 86. Colorado's best hitter is also reshaping the way pitchers handle a lineup. He has 25 home runs (tied for 6th) and 70 RBI, 14th overall.
After singling and scoring in the first and third innings, Blackmon got his third single of the game in the fourth, driving in a run, later scoring from second on Nolan Arenado's single.
In the eighth, Blackmon singled again, stole second and scored on Arenado's triple. Arenado was 3-for-3 and his two RBI increased his league-leading total to 91.
In the nightcap, the Nationals came back with a 3-1 win, avoiding being swept and maintaining a 13 game lead over Miami in the NL East. The Rockies are 1/2 game behind Arizona for second place in the West, but 14 1/2 behind the Dodgers, winners of eight straight.
Colorado is 8-7 after the break and returns home Monday to open a six game home stand, starting on Tuesday with the Mets for three, followed by a visit from the Phillies over the weekend. Washington opens a three-game series in Miami on Monday, followed by three games in Chicago against the Cubs, opening Thursday.
American League
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| Pearce: Walk-off Slam |
Just three days after slugging a 10th-inning, walk-off grand slam in Toronto's 8-4 win over the A's, Steve Pearce capped a dramatic seven-run, ninth inning rally with another bases-full round-tripper, leading the Blue Jays over the LA Angels, 11-10.
Pearce's second walk-off grand slam in four days came off Angels' reliever, Bud Norris, who surrendered three hits and a walk and was charged with all four runs off Pearce's bat. Prior to Norris' appearance, Brooks Pounders failed to record an out in the bottom of the ninth. He faced three batters, allowed two hits and a walk and was charged with three runs.
Toronto's win came as the top two teams in the AL East - New York and Boston - were losing, but the Jays still trail by eight games in the division and also have to contend with the Orioles and Rays, both winners on Sunday.
Pearce's and Toronto's flair for the dramatic may have come too late in the season for the Blue Jays, however. They got off to a poor start, had injuries to key players and have not recovered. Despite having a mostly healthy lineup, Toronto is just 8-9 since the all-star break, though they have won five of their last seven.
Toronto begins a six-game road trip Monday, opening with the White Sox, then on to Houston for three games.
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| Beltre: 3000 Hits |
MILESTONE: Adrian Beltre recorded his 3000th major league hit Sunday with a fourth-inning double off Baltimore starter, Wade Miley. Beltre would later score on Rougned Odor's single, but the Orioles out-slugged the Rangers, 10-6. Beltre becomes the 31st player to reach the 3000-hit level, joining Roborto Clemente at the magic mark. Beltre, 38, is a 20 year veteran who has played his entire career - save 2010 in Boston - in the AL West, with the Angels, Seattle, and currently, the Rangers. He is a career .286 hitter, with 454 home runs and 1607 RBI, Hall of Fame numbers for sure.
National League
With a rainout of their scheduled Friday night opener, the three-game series between Colorado and Washington evolved into game one on Saturday and a double-header Sunday. The Rockies won Saturday, 4-2, and took the first game of the double-header, 10-6 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, thanks to another outstanding game from leadoff hitter, Charlie Blackmon, who's been tearing up opposing pitching all season long.
In five at-bats, Blackmon lashed four singles, drove in a run, stole a base and scored four times, improving his batting average to .329, fourth-best in the National League, .001 behind Washington's Bryce Harper. Blackmon leads the league in runs, with 93; Harper is second, at 86. Colorado's best hitter is also reshaping the way pitchers handle a lineup. He has 25 home runs (tied for 6th) and 70 RBI, 14th overall.
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| Blackmon: 4-for-5, 4 R |
In the eighth, Blackmon singled again, stole second and scored on Arenado's triple. Arenado was 3-for-3 and his two RBI increased his league-leading total to 91.
In the nightcap, the Nationals came back with a 3-1 win, avoiding being swept and maintaining a 13 game lead over Miami in the NL East. The Rockies are 1/2 game behind Arizona for second place in the West, but 14 1/2 behind the Dodgers, winners of eight straight.
Colorado is 8-7 after the break and returns home Monday to open a six game home stand, starting on Tuesday with the Mets for three, followed by a visit from the Phillies over the weekend. Washington opens a three-game series in Miami on Monday, followed by three games in Chicago against the Cubs, opening Thursday.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Elvis Andrus Drives In 5 As Texas Tops Tampa Bay; Robbie Ray Shuts Out Pirates For 3-0 Arizona Win
Players of the Day for Tuesday, May 30, 2017
American League
Texas topped Tampa Bay, 9-5, remaining tied with the Angels for second place in the AL West, 11 games behind the Astros, winners of their sixth straight, a 7-2 win at Minnesota.
The play of shortstop Elvis Andrus was key to the Texas victory. Andrus started the Rangers off on the right path, following Shin-Soo-Choo's leadoff homer with a double, scoring on Nomar Mazara's single to right.
The Rays countered with four runs in the third and another in the fifth before Andrus tied the game at five with a three-run blast with two outs in the seventh inning, his seventh homer of the season. Texas tacked on two more runs in the eighth, and Andrus completed the scoring, singling home two teammates in the ninth. Andrus finished the game 3-for-5, with five RBI and two runs. Batting primarily from the two hole, Andrus is batting .288 with 27 RBI.
The Rangers had been gaining some ground through the middle of May when they won 10 straight, but ran into trouble on the road, dropping three in Boston and two of three in Toronto.
Back in Arlington, their Tuesday win evened the series at a game apiece, the rubber game scheduled for Wednesday at 8:05 pm ET.
National League
The race in the NL West is really heating up. With the Dodgers topping St. Louis, 9-4, for their sixth straight win, and Seattle clubbing Colorado, 10-4, the Dodgers have caught and passed the Rockies, leading the division by 1/2 game.
But, this is a three-team race. Arizona won at Pittsburgh, 3-0, Tuesday, on the strength of Robbie Ray's four-hit shutout at Pittsburgh.
Ray (5-3, 3.00) was solid throughout, out-dueling Pittsburgh's Ivan Nova, who kept the Diamondbacks scoreless until the sixth inning. Throwing 76 of 115 pitches for strikes, Ray fanned 10 without issuing a walk. An equal-opportunity hurler, Ray fanned all nine starters once each, excepting #8 hitter Gift Ngoepe, who struck out twice.
Ray upped his strikeout total to 84, tied for third in the NL with Jeff Samardzija and Zack Greinke. Max Scherzer leads the league with 89. The Mets' Jacob deGrom is second with 86.
Arizona, which dropped the first game of the series, looks to walk the Pirates off the plank in game three, Wednesday at 12:35 pm ET.
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| Andrus: 3-run HR, 5 RBI |
American League
Texas topped Tampa Bay, 9-5, remaining tied with the Angels for second place in the AL West, 11 games behind the Astros, winners of their sixth straight, a 7-2 win at Minnesota.
The play of shortstop Elvis Andrus was key to the Texas victory. Andrus started the Rangers off on the right path, following Shin-Soo-Choo's leadoff homer with a double, scoring on Nomar Mazara's single to right.
The Rays countered with four runs in the third and another in the fifth before Andrus tied the game at five with a three-run blast with two outs in the seventh inning, his seventh homer of the season. Texas tacked on two more runs in the eighth, and Andrus completed the scoring, singling home two teammates in the ninth. Andrus finished the game 3-for-5, with five RBI and two runs. Batting primarily from the two hole, Andrus is batting .288 with 27 RBI.
The Rangers had been gaining some ground through the middle of May when they won 10 straight, but ran into trouble on the road, dropping three in Boston and two of three in Toronto.
Back in Arlington, their Tuesday win evened the series at a game apiece, the rubber game scheduled for Wednesday at 8:05 pm ET.
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| Ray: 4-hit Shutout |
National League
The race in the NL West is really heating up. With the Dodgers topping St. Louis, 9-4, for their sixth straight win, and Seattle clubbing Colorado, 10-4, the Dodgers have caught and passed the Rockies, leading the division by 1/2 game.
But, this is a three-team race. Arizona won at Pittsburgh, 3-0, Tuesday, on the strength of Robbie Ray's four-hit shutout at Pittsburgh.
Ray (5-3, 3.00) was solid throughout, out-dueling Pittsburgh's Ivan Nova, who kept the Diamondbacks scoreless until the sixth inning. Throwing 76 of 115 pitches for strikes, Ray fanned 10 without issuing a walk. An equal-opportunity hurler, Ray fanned all nine starters once each, excepting #8 hitter Gift Ngoepe, who struck out twice.
Ray upped his strikeout total to 84, tied for third in the NL with Jeff Samardzija and Zack Greinke. Max Scherzer leads the league with 89. The Mets' Jacob deGrom is second with 86.
Arizona, which dropped the first game of the series, looks to walk the Pirates off the plank in game three, Wednesday at 12:35 pm ET.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Mike Napoli's Two Homers Blast Rangers Past Padres; Nolan Arenado Leads Rockies Over Dodgers, 10-7
Players of the Day for Thursday, May 11, 2017
American League
Everybody's chasing Houston the in AL West, including the Texas Rangers, who are in last place, 8 1/2 out, but just 1 1/2 out of second place (Houston leads Seattle by seven games).
Given their lineup, Texas ought to be a contender, but, while their division rivals, the Astros, have blazed a path to prominence, the Rangers have struggled to a 16-20 mark, which gets you nothing but fan anger and finger-pointing.
The Rangers won their third straight on Thursday, defeating the Padres by a 5-2 score. The game was won almost entirely on the bat of DH Mike Napoli, who homered in the bottom of the eighth off Padre starter, Clayton Richard, with a solo shot to left center, halving San Diego's lead to 2-1.
In the ninth, Napoli again came plate-ward, this time with the score tied, 2-2, with one out, after Texas scratched out a run off reliever Brandon Maurer. The well-traveled slugger delivered a three-run, walk-off blast sending the Padres to their thrid straight loss and seveth defeat in their last eight games (San Diego is 13-23 and arguably the worst team n the majors).
Napoli's big, four-RBI game maight signal a breakout for both him and the Rangers. Napoli is batting just .178 with seven homers and 17 RBI, well shy of what is considered his career year, last season with the Indians, when he socked 34 home runs and knocked in 101 runs.
Having finished with three straight wins in the interleague games against San Diego, Texas continues its eight-game home stand on Friday with the first of three games, hosting the A's at 8:10 pm ET.
National League
The Rockies continue to make converts to their cause in the NL West, the latest coming at the expense of the LA Dodgers, who helplessly watched Colorado pile up a 10-0 lead en route to a 10-7 victory, hiking their lead in the division to 2 1/2 games.
Pounding starter, Hyun-Jin-Ryu (1-5), for all 10 runs (only five earned), the Rockies took advantage of six walks and banged out eight hits in the first four innings. They scored two in the first, five in the second and three in the fourth before the Dodgers mounted a challenge in the latter stages of the game, eventually falling short.
Keying the run barrage was third baseman and two-time all-star, Nolan Arenado, who stroked a single and a pair of doubles in four at-bats, scoring three times and driving in a pair.
Arenado was a major contender for NL MVP last season when he socked 41 homers and drove in 133 runs. He's led the NL in home runs and RBI in each of the last two seasons and is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, batting .309 with eight dingers and 24 RBI.
The Dodgers will have a chance to redeem themselves Friday, when the Rockies host game two of the four-game series, starting at 8:40 pm ET at Coors Field.
American League
Everybody's chasing Houston the in AL West, including the Texas Rangers, who are in last place, 8 1/2 out, but just 1 1/2 out of second place (Houston leads Seattle by seven games).
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| Napoli HRs sink Padres |
The Rangers won their third straight on Thursday, defeating the Padres by a 5-2 score. The game was won almost entirely on the bat of DH Mike Napoli, who homered in the bottom of the eighth off Padre starter, Clayton Richard, with a solo shot to left center, halving San Diego's lead to 2-1.
In the ninth, Napoli again came plate-ward, this time with the score tied, 2-2, with one out, after Texas scratched out a run off reliever Brandon Maurer. The well-traveled slugger delivered a three-run, walk-off blast sending the Padres to their thrid straight loss and seveth defeat in their last eight games (San Diego is 13-23 and arguably the worst team n the majors).
Napoli's big, four-RBI game maight signal a breakout for both him and the Rangers. Napoli is batting just .178 with seven homers and 17 RBI, well shy of what is considered his career year, last season with the Indians, when he socked 34 home runs and knocked in 101 runs.
Having finished with three straight wins in the interleague games against San Diego, Texas continues its eight-game home stand on Friday with the first of three games, hosting the A's at 8:10 pm ET.
National League
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| Arenado key for Rockies |
The Rockies continue to make converts to their cause in the NL West, the latest coming at the expense of the LA Dodgers, who helplessly watched Colorado pile up a 10-0 lead en route to a 10-7 victory, hiking their lead in the division to 2 1/2 games.
Pounding starter, Hyun-Jin-Ryu (1-5), for all 10 runs (only five earned), the Rockies took advantage of six walks and banged out eight hits in the first four innings. They scored two in the first, five in the second and three in the fourth before the Dodgers mounted a challenge in the latter stages of the game, eventually falling short.
Keying the run barrage was third baseman and two-time all-star, Nolan Arenado, who stroked a single and a pair of doubles in four at-bats, scoring three times and driving in a pair.
Arenado was a major contender for NL MVP last season when he socked 41 homers and drove in 133 runs. He's led the NL in home runs and RBI in each of the last two seasons and is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, batting .309 with eight dingers and 24 RBI.
The Dodgers will have a chance to redeem themselves Friday, when the Rockies host game two of the four-game series, starting at 8:40 pm ET at Coors Field.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
A.J. Griffin Shuts Out Padres In 11-0 Texas Rout; Mark Reynolds Keeps Rockies In 1st, Beating Cubs
Players of the Day for Tuesday, May 9, 2017
American League
The Texas Rangers haven't been doing anything exceptionally well, but they may have gotten an emotional boost after Tuesday's 11-0 demolition of the Padres in San Diego.
Ranger hitters scored 11 runs on just nine hits, thanks to seven walks by Padre pitchers. While the regulars in the lineup were scoring at will, starting pitcher, A.J. Griffin, improved to 4-0 with a complete game four-hit shutout, the first of each for the 29-year-old righty this season and his second (his first shutout was in 2013 with Oakland).
Griffin was on the mark throughout, throwing 71 of 104 pitches for strikes and getting first strikes on 23 of the 30 batters he faced. After getting out of the sixth inning with a double play, Griffin mowed down the final nine batters in order, finishing with four strikeouts while allowing one base on balls.
Griffin has been solid this season, with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP, fanning 27 while walking just six. Opposing hitter are batting a mere .183 against him in 29 1/3 innings.
The win marks the end of a nine-game road trip for the Rangers, in which they went 3-6. They remain in last place in the AL West, 8 1/2 games behind Houston, but return home Wednesday for two games against the Padres at 8:05 pm ET, starting an eight-game home stand.
National League
After Monday's opener was rained out in Colorado, the Rockies took the first of a twi-night doubleheader over the troubled Cubs, 10-4, before dropping the nightcap, 8-1. In the first game, Mark Reynolds showed why Colorado is a team to watch in the NL West, which they lead by 1 1/2 over the LA Dodgers.
Reynolds completed the scoring for Colorado when he stroked his 12th home run of the season in the sixth inning after singling home runs in the third and fourth, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs. In the late game, Cubs' pitchers worked around Reynolds, walking him three times. Reynolds was 0-for-1.
A veteran of 11 seasons, Reynolds, 33, has found new life in the high air of Denver. Always a slugger, but generally with a low average, Reynolds hit a career-best .282 with Colorado last season and is belting at a .333 pace this season (39-for-117). He's tied for seventh in batting and is third in both homers (12) and RBI (30).
At 21-13, the Rockies have been steady, winning five of their last seven after the completion of Tuesday's doubleheader. The Cubs have not been sharp. Their win snapped a four-game losing streak and they are just 5-8 over their last 13 games.
With the series tied 1-1, the Cubs and Rockies will play the rubber game Wednesday at 3:10 pm ET at Coors Field in Denver.
American League
The Texas Rangers haven't been doing anything exceptionally well, but they may have gotten an emotional boost after Tuesday's 11-0 demolition of the Padres in San Diego.
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| Griffin: CG, 4-Hit Shutout |
Griffin was on the mark throughout, throwing 71 of 104 pitches for strikes and getting first strikes on 23 of the 30 batters he faced. After getting out of the sixth inning with a double play, Griffin mowed down the final nine batters in order, finishing with four strikeouts while allowing one base on balls.
Griffin has been solid this season, with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP, fanning 27 while walking just six. Opposing hitter are batting a mere .183 against him in 29 1/3 innings.
The win marks the end of a nine-game road trip for the Rangers, in which they went 3-6. They remain in last place in the AL West, 8 1/2 games behind Houston, but return home Wednesday for two games against the Padres at 8:05 pm ET, starting an eight-game home stand.
National League
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| Reynolds: 12HR, 30RBI |
Reynolds completed the scoring for Colorado when he stroked his 12th home run of the season in the sixth inning after singling home runs in the third and fourth, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs. In the late game, Cubs' pitchers worked around Reynolds, walking him three times. Reynolds was 0-for-1.
A veteran of 11 seasons, Reynolds, 33, has found new life in the high air of Denver. Always a slugger, but generally with a low average, Reynolds hit a career-best .282 with Colorado last season and is belting at a .333 pace this season (39-for-117). He's tied for seventh in batting and is third in both homers (12) and RBI (30).
At 21-13, the Rockies have been steady, winning five of their last seven after the completion of Tuesday's doubleheader. The Cubs have not been sharp. Their win snapped a four-game losing streak and they are just 5-8 over their last 13 games.
With the series tied 1-1, the Cubs and Rockies will play the rubber game Wednesday at 3:10 pm ET at Coors Field in Denver.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Grand Slam Night: Ryan Rua Goes Yard For Rangers; Maikel Franco Clears Bases For Phillies
Players of the Day for Wednesday, April 26, 2017
American League
Blowing open the game with an eight-run eighth inning highlighted by Ryan Rua's grand slam, the Texas Rangers avoided being swept at home by the Minnesota, taking game three of their series by a score of 14-3.
Rua's belt was his second hit of the game, going 2-for-5 wiht four RBI. A part-time player, Rua only has 34 at-bats this season. The homer was his first of the year. He hit eight last season in 99 games with the Rangers.
The Rangers' win got them a game closer to AL West leader, Houston, losers to Cleveland Wednesday night, 7-6. After a slow, 5-10 start, the Rangers are 10-12 winning five of their last seven, 4 1/2 games back, but only 1/2 game out of second place in the division.
Texas will complete a ten-game home stand with a three-game series against the Angels starting Friday. Game one is slated for an 8:05 pm ET start.
National League
Philadelphia took the first of a two-game series with the Marlins Wednesday night, topping Miami, the 7-4 win fueled by Maikel Franco's grand slam, a 407-foot blast that cleared the wall in center field, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead.
The Phillies padded their edge with a run in the sixth and two more in the eighth, tying Miami for second place in the NL East, four games behind Washington. All of Philadelphia's runs came via the long ball.
For Franco, it was his fourth homer of the season, boosting his RBI total to 20 for the season.
The Phillies have won five straight and will be looking to extend their streak when they host the Marlins Thursday afternoon at Citizen's Bank Park. Game time is 1:05 pm ET.
American League
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| Rua's Slam Lifts Rangers |
Rua's belt was his second hit of the game, going 2-for-5 wiht four RBI. A part-time player, Rua only has 34 at-bats this season. The homer was his first of the year. He hit eight last season in 99 games with the Rangers.
The Rangers' win got them a game closer to AL West leader, Houston, losers to Cleveland Wednesday night, 7-6. After a slow, 5-10 start, the Rangers are 10-12 winning five of their last seven, 4 1/2 games back, but only 1/2 game out of second place in the division.
Texas will complete a ten-game home stand with a three-game series against the Angels starting Friday. Game one is slated for an 8:05 pm ET start.
National League
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| Maikel Franco Fuels Phils |
The Phillies padded their edge with a run in the sixth and two more in the eighth, tying Miami for second place in the NL East, four games behind Washington. All of Philadelphia's runs came via the long ball.
For Franco, it was his fourth homer of the season, boosting his RBI total to 20 for the season.
The Phillies have won five straight and will be looking to extend their streak when they host the Marlins Thursday afternoon at Citizen's Bank Park. Game time is 1:05 pm ET.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Joey Gallo Drives In Five As Rangers Down A's; Starling Marte Delivers In 10th For Pirates
Players of the Day for Sunday, April 9, 2017
American League
Managing to take two of three at home over the Oakland A's, the Texas Rangers got an 8-1 win to close out the series and the weekend.
Providing ample power for the Rangers was third baseman Joey Gallo, who got things underway with a three-run homer in the second inning, then added to the run total with a bases-loaded single in the sixth, driving in two more.
Technically still a rookie, Gallo saw limited action with the Rangers in both 2015 and 2016. His home run was his second of the season. He hit six in 108 at-bats in 2015 and is expected to be the Rangers' regular third baseman until Adrian Beltre Returns from the 15-day disabled list.
Now 2-4, the Rangers head to Anaheim for a three-game series with their division rival Angels beginning on Tuesday.
National League
After Nick Markakis scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th, Pittsburgh came to the plate in the bottom of the inning still looking to sweep the three-game series from the visiting Braves.
Adam Frazier led off the frame with a solid single off reliever Jose Ramirez. Next up, Starling Marte deposited the offering from Ramirez into the seats in center field 408 feet away for the walk-off game-winner and a 6-5 victory.
Marte, who was 4-for-5 in the game with three singles, also scored a run for the Pirates in the fourth inning. A six year pro, Marte has spent all his time in the majors with Pittsburgh where he batted .311 last season.
Off to a solid start, Marte checks in with a .381 average. The homer was his first of the year and he has five RBI on the season.
Pittsburgh, now 3-2, hosts the 4-2 Reds in a three-game series beginning Monday night at 7:05 pm ET.
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| Joey Gallo: 5 RBI |
Managing to take two of three at home over the Oakland A's, the Texas Rangers got an 8-1 win to close out the series and the weekend.
Providing ample power for the Rangers was third baseman Joey Gallo, who got things underway with a three-run homer in the second inning, then added to the run total with a bases-loaded single in the sixth, driving in two more.
Technically still a rookie, Gallo saw limited action with the Rangers in both 2015 and 2016. His home run was his second of the season. He hit six in 108 at-bats in 2015 and is expected to be the Rangers' regular third baseman until Adrian Beltre Returns from the 15-day disabled list.
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| Marte: gamee-winning HR |
National League
After Nick Markakis scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th, Pittsburgh came to the plate in the bottom of the inning still looking to sweep the three-game series from the visiting Braves.
Adam Frazier led off the frame with a solid single off reliever Jose Ramirez. Next up, Starling Marte deposited the offering from Ramirez into the seats in center field 408 feet away for the walk-off game-winner and a 6-5 victory.
Marte, who was 4-for-5 in the game with three singles, also scored a run for the Pirates in the fourth inning. A six year pro, Marte has spent all his time in the majors with Pittsburgh where he batted .311 last season.
Off to a solid start, Marte checks in with a .381 average. The homer was his first of the year and he has five RBI on the season.
Pittsburgh, now 3-2, hosts the 4-2 Reds in a three-game series beginning Monday night at 7:05 pm ET.
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Adrian Beltre Belts Texas to NL West Title; J.A. Happ Sends Pirates Home for Wild Card Showdown with Cubs
Players of the Day for Sunday, October 4, 2015
American League
Texas is the champion of the AL West.
By defeating the LA Angels on the final day of the season, 9-2, the Rangers clinched the division and will play Toronto in the opening round of the playoffs.
Down 2-1, Adrian Beltre socked a two run homer in the fifth, putting the Rangers on top, then drove in another run with an infield single as the Rangers tacked on six runs in the seventh inning.
The Astros, finished second in the division and will be the second wild card, losing to Arizona, 5-3, on Sunday. Both the Astros and Yankees backed into the playoffs, but moreso the Yankees, as they lost for the sixth time in their last seven games, demolished by the Orioles, 9-4, losing three straight to the Orioles at Camden Yards.
The Astros travel to play the Yankees in the wild card game, Tuesday night at Yankees stadium.
National League
The Pittsburgh Pirates will face the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Wednesday as the Pirates finished one game better than the Cubs in the NL Central, taking home field for the wild card game, with a 4-0 win over Cincinnati.
J.A. Happ held the Reds scoreless on three hits over six innings to get the win, improving to 7-2 on the year. The Pirates scored single runs in the first, fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Pedro Alvarez socked his 27th homer of the season in the fourth.
The Cubs did their part to make the final day of the season interesting, whipping the Brewers 3-1. Chicago enters the post-season red-hot, winners of their last eight in a row.
Chicago finished 97-65. Pittsburgh was 98-64. Despite their designation as wild cards, the Pirates and Cubs had the second and third-best records in the league behind St. Louis, which ended the season with the best record in the majors, at 100-62, despite dropping both ends of a double-header at Atlanta on Sunday.
American League
Texas is the champion of the AL West.
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| Happ: 6 Shutout Innings Sends Pirates Home Happy |
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| Beltre: Homer Sends Rangers to AL West Crown |
Down 2-1, Adrian Beltre socked a two run homer in the fifth, putting the Rangers on top, then drove in another run with an infield single as the Rangers tacked on six runs in the seventh inning.
The Astros, finished second in the division and will be the second wild card, losing to Arizona, 5-3, on Sunday. Both the Astros and Yankees backed into the playoffs, but moreso the Yankees, as they lost for the sixth time in their last seven games, demolished by the Orioles, 9-4, losing three straight to the Orioles at Camden Yards.
The Astros travel to play the Yankees in the wild card game, Tuesday night at Yankees stadium.
National League
The Pittsburgh Pirates will face the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Wednesday as the Pirates finished one game better than the Cubs in the NL Central, taking home field for the wild card game, with a 4-0 win over Cincinnati.
J.A. Happ held the Reds scoreless on three hits over six innings to get the win, improving to 7-2 on the year. The Pirates scored single runs in the first, fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Pedro Alvarez socked his 27th homer of the season in the fourth.
The Cubs did their part to make the final day of the season interesting, whipping the Brewers 3-1. Chicago enters the post-season red-hot, winners of their last eight in a row.
Chicago finished 97-65. Pittsburgh was 98-64. Despite their designation as wild cards, the Pirates and Cubs had the second and third-best records in the league behind St. Louis, which ended the season with the best record in the majors, at 100-62, despite dropping both ends of a double-header at Atlanta on Sunday.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Pirates Clinch Playoff Spot as Neil Walker Drives Home 6; Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre Lead Texas over A's
Players of the Day for Wednesday, September 23, 2015
American League
With an assist from division foe, Los Angeles, the Texas Rangers expanded their lead to three games over the Houston Astros, downing the Oakland A's, 10-4, Wednesday night.
Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre led the charge for Texas, Beltre singling and scoring in the fourth inning to tie the game at one, before Elvis Andrus unloaded a three-run shot to put the A's down 4-1. Beltre delivered his 16th homer of the season the following inning, another three-run belt that put the game out of reach.
Texas has a magic number of eight to lock up the AL West. The Angels are 4 1/2 back and still looking to get into the playoffs, likely via the wild card. Houston is currently in line for the second wild card, trailing the Yankees (1st wild card) by four games. Minnesota is also in the mix. The Twins are a game behind Houston, 1/2 game ahead of the Angels.
With the third game of the series in Oakland slated for a 3:35 pm EDT start, the Rangers will be looking for the sweep before heading to Houston for a showdown, three-game series with the Astros. On Monday they return home to finish up: three games with the Tigers, followed by four against the Angels, October 1-4.
National League
Neil Walker went 4-for-5 and drove in six runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates hammered the Colorado Rockies, 13-7, the win assuring themselves of another trip to the post-season.
The Pirates are the second National League team to qualify for the playoffs. Pittsburgh is assured of at least a wild card spot, but still are eyeing the NL Central crown. They trail the Cardinals (the other NL team to have already qualified for the playoffs) by four games, with 10 left to play. St. Louis was a 10-2 winner over Cincinnati Wednesday night.
In the wild card, Pittsburgh picked up a game over the Cubs, now leading them by three. By most accounts, the Pirates and Cubs will be the wild card, St. Louis the Central division winner, though things could change as the season winds to a close.
The win was Pittsburgh's fifth straight. St. Louis has won four in a row.
Walker connected for his 15th homer of the season in the third inning, his three-run blast upping Pittsburgh's lead over the host Rockies to 5-0. Walker had put the Pirates on the board in the first with a two-run single. Later, he completed the scoring for Pittsburgh with an RBI single in the ninth as Pittsburgh piled on the runs.
The Pirates will be seeking a sweep of the four-game series at Colorado when they conclude this afternoon. Game time is set for 3:10 pm EDT.
On Friday, the Pirates open a three-game series in Chicago, then head home to host the Cardinals for three which will likely decide the division. Pittsburgh finishes up at home with three games versus the Reds on October 2, 3 and 4.
American League
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| Elvis Andrus |
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| Adrian Beltre |
Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre led the charge for Texas, Beltre singling and scoring in the fourth inning to tie the game at one, before Elvis Andrus unloaded a three-run shot to put the A's down 4-1. Beltre delivered his 16th homer of the season the following inning, another three-run belt that put the game out of reach.
Texas has a magic number of eight to lock up the AL West. The Angels are 4 1/2 back and still looking to get into the playoffs, likely via the wild card. Houston is currently in line for the second wild card, trailing the Yankees (1st wild card) by four games. Minnesota is also in the mix. The Twins are a game behind Houston, 1/2 game ahead of the Angels.
With the third game of the series in Oakland slated for a 3:35 pm EDT start, the Rangers will be looking for the sweep before heading to Houston for a showdown, three-game series with the Astros. On Monday they return home to finish up: three games with the Tigers, followed by four against the Angels, October 1-4.
National League
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| Walker: HR, 6 RBI |
The Pirates are the second National League team to qualify for the playoffs. Pittsburgh is assured of at least a wild card spot, but still are eyeing the NL Central crown. They trail the Cardinals (the other NL team to have already qualified for the playoffs) by four games, with 10 left to play. St. Louis was a 10-2 winner over Cincinnati Wednesday night.
In the wild card, Pittsburgh picked up a game over the Cubs, now leading them by three. By most accounts, the Pirates and Cubs will be the wild card, St. Louis the Central division winner, though things could change as the season winds to a close.
The win was Pittsburgh's fifth straight. St. Louis has won four in a row.
Walker connected for his 15th homer of the season in the third inning, his three-run blast upping Pittsburgh's lead over the host Rockies to 5-0. Walker had put the Pirates on the board in the first with a two-run single. Later, he completed the scoring for Pittsburgh with an RBI single in the ninth as Pittsburgh piled on the runs.
The Pirates will be seeking a sweep of the four-game series at Colorado when they conclude this afternoon. Game time is set for 3:10 pm EDT.
On Friday, the Pirates open a three-game series in Chicago, then head home to host the Cardinals for three which will likely decide the division. Pittsburgh finishes up at home with three games versus the Reds on October 2, 3 and 4.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Alex Wood Shackles Rockies as Dodgers Eye NL West Crown; Prince Fielder, Rangers Bomb Houston Again
Players of the Day for Wednesday, September 16, 2013
American League
Timing is important in all aspects of life, but the Texas Rangers may want to bottle whatever it is that has gotten the team - and especially Prince Fielder - red-hot at the right time of the season.
The Rangers took their third straight from Houston with a rollicking, 14-3, victory, extending their lead in the AL West to 1 1/2 over the former first place Astros.
Finding perfect timing at the plate was Prince Fielder, who homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rangers. Fielder got things started right away, singling home the Rangers' first run in the bottom of the first, then scoring on Mike Napoli's three-run homer as the Rangers put up a six-spot on Houston starter, Dallas Keuchel.
The rout was on.
Fielder belted a solo shot in the third inning and unloaded a three-run homer in the sixth, making the score at the end of the frame, 12-1.
With his 3-for-5 effort in Wednesday's rout, Fielder has absolutely shot the Astros down from the sky. In the three games - all Ranger wins - he's 8-for-13 (.615), with three homers, eight RBI and eight runs. Houston pitchers would have been better off just walking him whenever he made it to the plate, but it's too late for that.
The series concludes with the Rangers looking for the four-game sweep Thursday at 8:05 pm EDT.
National League
Heading toward the playoffs, if there was anything the Dodgers didn't need to add to their roster it was another dominant starting pitcher. They already have Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, who've been treating opposing hitters like trifling playthings, so along comes Alex Wood, shutting out the Rockies for eight innings on one hit Wednesday night in a 2-0 Dodger win.
Just what the Cardinals, Pirates, Mets and Cubs wanted to see, another shutout (almost) by another Dodger hurler.
Wood (11-10) allowed a two-out, second-inning single to Kyle Parker, and then proceeded to set down the next 19 Colorado batters in order. No walks, one hit, five strikeouts, no runs, game over. Greinke and Kershaw may actually have been jealous.
The remaining playoff contenders should be paying close attention, because they're probably going to have to match up with the Dodger pitching staff at some point, and that's not going to look very promising.
Wood was acquired from Atlanta prior to the July 31 trade deadline. He is 4-4 for the Dodgers as a starter but has recently shown signs of coming around. On September 5th, he shut out San Diego for seven innings on three hits. He was shelled in Arizona his next start, but Wednesday's outing suggests that he's put that game behind him.
Taking two of three from the Rockies, the Dodgers maintain their 7 1/2 game lead over the Giants in the West. With 17 games to play, their magic number to clinch the division is 10.
American League
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| Fielder: On fire! |
The Rangers took their third straight from Houston with a rollicking, 14-3, victory, extending their lead in the AL West to 1 1/2 over the former first place Astros.
Finding perfect timing at the plate was Prince Fielder, who homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rangers. Fielder got things started right away, singling home the Rangers' first run in the bottom of the first, then scoring on Mike Napoli's three-run homer as the Rangers put up a six-spot on Houston starter, Dallas Keuchel.
The rout was on.
Fielder belted a solo shot in the third inning and unloaded a three-run homer in the sixth, making the score at the end of the frame, 12-1.
With his 3-for-5 effort in Wednesday's rout, Fielder has absolutely shot the Astros down from the sky. In the three games - all Ranger wins - he's 8-for-13 (.615), with three homers, eight RBI and eight runs. Houston pitchers would have been better off just walking him whenever he made it to the plate, but it's too late for that.
The series concludes with the Rangers looking for the four-game sweep Thursday at 8:05 pm EDT.
National League
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| Wood: Another LA ace? |
Just what the Cardinals, Pirates, Mets and Cubs wanted to see, another shutout (almost) by another Dodger hurler.
Wood (11-10) allowed a two-out, second-inning single to Kyle Parker, and then proceeded to set down the next 19 Colorado batters in order. No walks, one hit, five strikeouts, no runs, game over. Greinke and Kershaw may actually have been jealous.
The remaining playoff contenders should be paying close attention, because they're probably going to have to match up with the Dodger pitching staff at some point, and that's not going to look very promising.
Wood was acquired from Atlanta prior to the July 31 trade deadline. He is 4-4 for the Dodgers as a starter but has recently shown signs of coming around. On September 5th, he shut out San Diego for seven innings on three hits. He was shelled in Arizona his next start, but Wednesday's outing suggests that he's put that game behind him.
Taking two of three from the Rockies, the Dodgers maintain their 7 1/2 game lead over the Giants in the West. With 17 games to play, their magic number to clinch the division is 10.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Jason Hayward Gives Cardinals Win with 10th Inning Homer; Adrian Beltre Leads Rangers to First in AL West
Players of the Day for Tuesday, September 15, 2015
American League
Texas took over first place in the AL west with a spirited, come-form behind, 6-5, win over the Houston Astros on Mitch Moreland's sac fly in the bottom of the ninth, but, once again, it was the play of third baseman Adrian Beltre that put the Rangers in position to win.
Beltre went 4-for-5 with three singles and a double, scored a run and drove in two, including the game-tying run in the fourth inning, which knotted the score at 5-all.
Starters Derek Holland for Texas and Collin McHugh were both roughed up early, but the relief staffs of both teams kept the score tied until Moreland drove in Drew Stubbs (who was running for Prince Fielder) from third with a fly ball to center with no outs. Fielder led off the inning with a single, and Beltre singled pinch-runner Stubbs to third before Moreland delivered.
The Rangers have taken two straight over the Astros and forged a 1/2 game lead in the division. Houston is now in position for the 2nd wild card, 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees, but just 1 1/2 in front of the Twins and 3 1/2 better than the Angels.
Game three of the four-game series resumes Wednesday night at 8:05 pm EDT.
National League
For teams vying for playoff spots - be they wild cards or division titles - every game is big this time of year, so St. Louis fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Jason Hayward delivered a 10th-inning, two-run homer to boost the Cardinals past Milwaukee, 3-1.
It was a timely win, considering that the Pirates have been lately breathing down the backs of the Cardinals, but Pittsburgh lost to Chicago, 2-1, evening their four-game series at a game apiece. Had the Cardinals lost and the Pirates won, the lead in the NL Central would have dropped to just one game, a little too close for comfort, with 18 games remaining in the regular season.
As it turns out, the Cardinals still lead by three over Pittsburgh, and probably don't have to worry about the Cubs, who are likely to be the second wild card, as they are four games behind the Pirates, but 7 1/2 up on the Giants.
Heyward, who's been as steady in right field as the Cardinals could have expected, was 3-for-4.
The Brewers couldn't keep Hayward off the bases, as he doubled in the first inning, walked and stole second in the fourth but was stranded at third, doubled again in the sixth and scored the tying run on Jhonny Peralta's single.
In the eighth, Heyward reached on a fielder's choice and went first-to-third on another Peralta single, but again did not score.
With his fifth plate appearance in the 10th, Heyward belted his 12th home run of the season. Closer Trevor Rosenthal allowed a hit in the bottom of the 10th, but fanned two for his 44th save, second in the majors behind Pittsburgh's Mark Melancon.
Heyward's importance to the Cardinals cannot be understated. Generally batting in the three-hole, he's hitting a solid .296 with 12 homers, 32 doubles, 55 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He's been caught stealing just three times this season.
The Cardinals play game two of their three-game series at Milwaukee Wednesday, at 8:10 pm EDT.
NL Note: Stephen Strasberg took a no-hitter into the sixth, but allowed a lead-off single, finishing with eight innings of shutout ball, walking one and striking out 14. The Nationals won, 4-0.
American League
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| Beltre: 4-for-5, 2 RBI |
Beltre went 4-for-5 with three singles and a double, scored a run and drove in two, including the game-tying run in the fourth inning, which knotted the score at 5-all.
Starters Derek Holland for Texas and Collin McHugh were both roughed up early, but the relief staffs of both teams kept the score tied until Moreland drove in Drew Stubbs (who was running for Prince Fielder) from third with a fly ball to center with no outs. Fielder led off the inning with a single, and Beltre singled pinch-runner Stubbs to third before Moreland delivered.
The Rangers have taken two straight over the Astros and forged a 1/2 game lead in the division. Houston is now in position for the 2nd wild card, 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees, but just 1 1/2 in front of the Twins and 3 1/2 better than the Angels.
Game three of the four-game series resumes Wednesday night at 8:05 pm EDT.
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| Heyward: 3-4, 2 2B, HR, SB |
For teams vying for playoff spots - be they wild cards or division titles - every game is big this time of year, so St. Louis fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Jason Hayward delivered a 10th-inning, two-run homer to boost the Cardinals past Milwaukee, 3-1.
It was a timely win, considering that the Pirates have been lately breathing down the backs of the Cardinals, but Pittsburgh lost to Chicago, 2-1, evening their four-game series at a game apiece. Had the Cardinals lost and the Pirates won, the lead in the NL Central would have dropped to just one game, a little too close for comfort, with 18 games remaining in the regular season.
As it turns out, the Cardinals still lead by three over Pittsburgh, and probably don't have to worry about the Cubs, who are likely to be the second wild card, as they are four games behind the Pirates, but 7 1/2 up on the Giants.
Heyward, who's been as steady in right field as the Cardinals could have expected, was 3-for-4.
The Brewers couldn't keep Hayward off the bases, as he doubled in the first inning, walked and stole second in the fourth but was stranded at third, doubled again in the sixth and scored the tying run on Jhonny Peralta's single.
In the eighth, Heyward reached on a fielder's choice and went first-to-third on another Peralta single, but again did not score.
With his fifth plate appearance in the 10th, Heyward belted his 12th home run of the season. Closer Trevor Rosenthal allowed a hit in the bottom of the 10th, but fanned two for his 44th save, second in the majors behind Pittsburgh's Mark Melancon.
Heyward's importance to the Cardinals cannot be understated. Generally batting in the three-hole, he's hitting a solid .296 with 12 homers, 32 doubles, 55 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He's been caught stealing just three times this season.
The Cardinals play game two of their three-game series at Milwaukee Wednesday, at 8:10 pm EDT.
NL Note: Stephen Strasberg took a no-hitter into the sixth, but allowed a lead-off single, finishing with eight innings of shutout ball, walking one and striking out 14. The Nationals won, 4-0.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Prince Fielder Sends Rangers over Astros; Clayton Kershaw Wins Ninth Straight for Dodgers
Players of the Day for Monday, September 14, 2015
American League
Prince Fielder helped the Rangers take game one of their four-game series with the first-place Astros Monday night by scoring three runs and belting a two-run homer in the eighth inning that broke a 3-3 tie and sent the Rangers on to the 5-3 triumph.
Fielder's homer was his 19th of the season and the win put the Rangers a mere 1/2 game behind the Astros. Fielder was 2-for-4, with a single and the decisive blast. He's batting .309 (7th in the AL) with 77 RBI.
Starters Cole Hamels for the Rangers and the Astros' Scott Kasmir each went seven innings and allowed three runs (one of Kasmir's was unearned), but neither received a decision. Relievers Keone Kela took the win and Houston's Will Harris was saddled with the loss.
Game two of the crucial four-game series is Tuesday at 8:00 pm EDT.
National League
It's pretty much over in the NL West, the few questions remaining are by how much the Dodgers are going to take the division and whether they will beat the Mets and Cardinals for the league's best record, and thus, home field advantage at some point in the playoffs.
LA's 4-1 win in the opener of a three-game series (and 10 game homestead) featured another stellar performance by another Dodger ace (they have two), Clayton Kershaw, who snuffed the Rockies on three hits, allowing just one earned run over seven innings.
The Rockies scored their only run on a walk a hit and a groundout in the opening frame, but after that, Kershaw was nearly unhittable, striking out the side in the second and allowing just two hits and a walk over the next six innings.
Luis Avilan worked the eighth for the Dodgers and Chris Hatcher picked up the save - his third - holding the Rockies scoreless in the ninth.
The win was the Dodgers' third straight, keeping them 7 1/2 games in front of San Francisco, with 19 remaining. Their magic number to clinch the division is down to 12.
Kershaw (14-6) has won nine straight, with four no-decisions during the span that stretches back to July 3rd. His last loss was June 27th, and in the four no-decision games, he's allowed one earned run in two and no earned runs in the other two. He's allowed just four earned runs in his last 14 starts (108 innings) for an almost impossible ERA of 0.33 over that span.
On the year, he has three complete games, two shutouts and 264 strikeouts, a number that leads the majors. Washington's Max Scherzer is second in the NL with 231.
The Rockies will try to even the series Tuesday night. 7:10 pm PDT is the scheduled start time.
American League
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| Fielder: Heroic Homer |
Prince Fielder helped the Rangers take game one of their four-game series with the first-place Astros Monday night by scoring three runs and belting a two-run homer in the eighth inning that broke a 3-3 tie and sent the Rangers on to the 5-3 triumph.
Fielder's homer was his 19th of the season and the win put the Rangers a mere 1/2 game behind the Astros. Fielder was 2-for-4, with a single and the decisive blast. He's batting .309 (7th in the AL) with 77 RBI.
Starters Cole Hamels for the Rangers and the Astros' Scott Kasmir each went seven innings and allowed three runs (one of Kasmir's was unearned), but neither received a decision. Relievers Keone Kela took the win and Houston's Will Harris was saddled with the loss.
Game two of the crucial four-game series is Tuesday at 8:00 pm EDT.
National League
It's pretty much over in the NL West, the few questions remaining are by how much the Dodgers are going to take the division and whether they will beat the Mets and Cardinals for the league's best record, and thus, home field advantage at some point in the playoffs.
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| Kershaw: Absurd Stats |
The Rockies scored their only run on a walk a hit and a groundout in the opening frame, but after that, Kershaw was nearly unhittable, striking out the side in the second and allowing just two hits and a walk over the next six innings.
Luis Avilan worked the eighth for the Dodgers and Chris Hatcher picked up the save - his third - holding the Rockies scoreless in the ninth.
The win was the Dodgers' third straight, keeping them 7 1/2 games in front of San Francisco, with 19 remaining. Their magic number to clinch the division is down to 12.
Kershaw (14-6) has won nine straight, with four no-decisions during the span that stretches back to July 3rd. His last loss was June 27th, and in the four no-decision games, he's allowed one earned run in two and no earned runs in the other two. He's allowed just four earned runs in his last 14 starts (108 innings) for an almost impossible ERA of 0.33 over that span.
On the year, he has three complete games, two shutouts and 264 strikeouts, a number that leads the majors. Washington's Max Scherzer is second in the NL with 231.
The Rockies will try to even the series Tuesday night. 7:10 pm PDT is the scheduled start time.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Adrian Beltre Belts Two HR in Texas Victory; Zach Greinke Tosses Eight Scoreless as Dodgers Win
Players of the Day for Sunday, September 14, 2015
American League
Toronto helped itself to a larger lead in the AL East (now up by 3 1/2), taking three of four from the Yankees in New York over the weekend, but the Yanks rallied to avoid the sweep on Sunday with a 5-0 victory, but, those three prior losses have tightened up the wild card race considerably.
Texas downed Oakland, 12-4, staying 1 1/2 back of the Astros in the West, but now find themselves just four games behind the Yankees in the wild card, and one game ahead of Minnesota for the second wild card slot.
Adrian Beltre belted a pair of home runs in the win - a two-run and a three-run shot - tallying five RBI on the day and giving him 55 on the year. Beltre's sub-par stats may be a sign of him slowing down. He turned 36 in April of this year. His numbers suggest 2015 will be among the worst of his career, though he's been providing big at-bats for the Rangers recently.
Texas took the series against Oakland, two games to one, and open a pivotal, four-game series at home against the Astros starting Monday in Arlington. The series may go a long way toward determining not just the AL West winner, but also the wild card participants.
National League
Continuing their run to the NL West championship, the LA Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3, though the final score is hardly indicative of the kind of game pitched by Dodger hurler, Zach Greinke.
Earning his third win in September, Grienke tossed eight innings of shutout ball on three hits, walking two and striking out eight. He needed just 93 pitches (59 thrown for strikes) before turning the ball over the Kenley Jansen for the ninth with a 4-0 lead. Jansen, in a non-save scenario, nearly mucked it up, walking Paul Goldschmidt and allowing a single by David Peralta, before surrendering a two-out home run to Jerrod Saltalamacchia, giving the D'Backs hope. Jansen did finally get the last out, and the win, leaving the Dodgers right where they were when the day started, 7 1/2 games better than the Giants in the division, albeit, with one less game to play.
With 20 games remaining in the regular season, LA is virtually assured of the division crown, and, with the way Greinke has been throwing, only he and Chicago's Jake Arrieta appear as solid candidates for the NL Cy Young award. Grinch leads the majors with a 1.61 ERA.
Greinke has won 12 of his last 14 starts, with one loss and one no-decision, boosting his record for the season to 17-3. Depending on when the Dodgers clinch the pennant and possible playoff scenarios, Greinke could squeeze in four starts, but most likely will get three, and a chance at winning 20 games.
The Dodgers took the series in Arizona, two games to one, and head home to begin a ten-game homestead, beginning with three against the Rockies, starting Monday.
American League
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| Beltre: 2 HR, 5 RBI |
Texas downed Oakland, 12-4, staying 1 1/2 back of the Astros in the West, but now find themselves just four games behind the Yankees in the wild card, and one game ahead of Minnesota for the second wild card slot.
Adrian Beltre belted a pair of home runs in the win - a two-run and a three-run shot - tallying five RBI on the day and giving him 55 on the year. Beltre's sub-par stats may be a sign of him slowing down. He turned 36 in April of this year. His numbers suggest 2015 will be among the worst of his career, though he's been providing big at-bats for the Rangers recently.
Texas took the series against Oakland, two games to one, and open a pivotal, four-game series at home against the Astros starting Monday in Arlington. The series may go a long way toward determining not just the AL West winner, but also the wild card participants.
National League
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| Greinke: 17-3, 1.61 ERA |
Earning his third win in September, Grienke tossed eight innings of shutout ball on three hits, walking two and striking out eight. He needed just 93 pitches (59 thrown for strikes) before turning the ball over the Kenley Jansen for the ninth with a 4-0 lead. Jansen, in a non-save scenario, nearly mucked it up, walking Paul Goldschmidt and allowing a single by David Peralta, before surrendering a two-out home run to Jerrod Saltalamacchia, giving the D'Backs hope. Jansen did finally get the last out, and the win, leaving the Dodgers right where they were when the day started, 7 1/2 games better than the Giants in the division, albeit, with one less game to play.
With 20 games remaining in the regular season, LA is virtually assured of the division crown, and, with the way Greinke has been throwing, only he and Chicago's Jake Arrieta appear as solid candidates for the NL Cy Young award. Grinch leads the majors with a 1.61 ERA.
Greinke has won 12 of his last 14 starts, with one loss and one no-decision, boosting his record for the season to 17-3. Depending on when the Dodgers clinch the pennant and possible playoff scenarios, Greinke could squeeze in four starts, but most likely will get three, and a chance at winning 20 games.
The Dodgers took the series in Arizona, two games to one, and head home to begin a ten-game homestead, beginning with three against the Rockies, starting Monday.
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