Aaron Harang Shuts Out Astros on Two Hits; Tyler Colvin Leads Rockies over Nats with a Pair of Homers

Players of the Day for Tuesday, June 11, 2013

American League

If not for J.D. Martinez, Aaron Harang would have had a no-hitter in Seattle's 4-0 win over the Houston Astros.

Harang: 2-hitter

And, if shortstop Brendan Ryan hadn't flubbed a grounder in the sixth inning, Harang would have pitched a perfect game.

However, Martinez did have a couple of singles - the only hits off Harang - and Ryan's error was inconsequential, so, in a game that's more about "what is" rather than "if's," Harang had to settle for a two-hit shutout, which isn't such a bad thing.

Despite his 3-6 record, Harang has had his moments this season, especially of late. On May 27, he threw a four-hit shutout against San Diego, fanning eight. In Tuesday's effort, he struck out a season-high 10.

There wasn't a great deal of drama in Harang's outing. Martinez got his first hit with two out in the second, so there was no expectation of a no-hitter.

Seattle could use a few more outings like Harang's (s could the Astros). The Mariners are third in the AL West, 10 games behind co-leaders, Oakland and Texas.

The win was Seattle's second straight over the Astros. The Mariners will be looking for the series sweep when they take the field Wednesday night at 7:10 pm PDT.

National League

In Colorado, everybody's getting into the swing of things.

Colvin: 2HR, 4RBI

Tyler Colvin socked a pair of two-run homers as the Rockies buried the struggling Nationals, 8-3, taking the series opener from their guests at Coors Field.

Colvin, recently recalled from AAA Colorado Springs, was playing in just his third big league game this season, but proved he belongs in the majors with a winning performance.

His fifth-inning homer tied the game at two and started a five run uprising, culminating in Carlos Gonzalez's 18th of the year, a three-run blast. Colvin homered again in the eighth with a man aboard to put the game out of reach.

The Rockies' win, combined with Arizona's loss to the Dodgers and the Giants' defeat at Pittsburgh, tightened the NL West race yet again. Colorado is a game behind the Diamondbacks. San Fran is another game back, followed by San Diego, five out and LA, 7 1/2 behind.

Colorado, winners of two straight and seven of their last ten, will look to take Washington (31-32) further below the .500 mark when they meet in game two of the three-game series, Wednesday at 8:40 pm EDT.

Today's Trivia: The record for saves in a single season is an incredible 62. Who set that mark? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Detroit's Justin Verlander was AL rookie of the year in 2006 and won the MVP award in 2011.

Tyler Colvin Smacks a Pair in Colorado Loss; Rays' Desmond Jennings Whacks Three in Win over O's

Players of the Day for Sunday, April 1, 2012

Grapefruit League

Leadoff hitters aren't normally relied upon for home runs, but, in the case of Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings, he played an April Fool's prank on the Baltimore Orioles that their pitching staff is unlikely to forget.

Desmond Jennings

Jennings, who hadn't homered all spring, took one deep to lead off the game for the Rays. OK, ha, ha, very funny.

But, Jennings wasn't done. Not even close. In the fourth inning, he stepped to the plate and did it again, this time with the bases loaded. Grand Slam. Nice job. We get it.

In the seventh, Jennings pressed the issue, hitting his third homer of the game, a solo shot that sealed an 8-5 victory for the Rays, his leadoff prank resulting in a 3-for-4 game with six RBI and three runs.

Maybe the O's shouldn't have been so surprised with Jennings' power display. In 63 games with the Rays last season, he launched 10 long balls and drove in 25 runs. With a .348 batting average this spring, and , oh, by the way, 20 stolen bases last year, Jennings looks like a keeper in the Tampa Bay outfield. And that's no joke.

Cactus League

Tyler Colvin

Travis Hafner and Shelly Duncan each hit grand slams for the Cleveland Indians, leading to a 12-10 win over Colorado, but rockies' center fielder Tyler Colvin was not to be outdone, cracking a pair of home runs and two singles as he went 4-for-5, scored three times and drove in six runs.

Colvin, acquired from the Cubs in an off-season deal, looks like he'll stick with the Rockies as part of their well-staffed outfield. He's batting .403 in exhibition games with three homers and 18 RBI, plus, he's swiped three bases without being caught.

The home runs will come for Colvin when he gets his chances. In 2010 and 2011, he hit 26 for the Cubs, but his 2011 batting average slumped to .150, prompting a trip back to the minors and the eventual trade.

Cano, Rivera Lead Yankee Comeback in LA; Tyler Colvin, Up-and-Coming Rookie?

Players of the Day for Sunday, June 27, 2010 American League Dodger manager Joe Torre has a very good team in LA. Playing against his old team, the NY Yankees, revealed what he doesn't have, by comparison. Where he has closer Jonathan Broxton, the Yankees still have Mariano Rivera (left). And Torre also has nobody to match up to this year's Yankee sensation, second baseman Robinson Cano (Torre normally starts either Ronnie Belliard or Blake Dewitt at second). These differences played a big part in New York's dramatic come-from-behind, 8-6, 10-inning win over the Dodgers Sunday night. With the Dodgers apparently cruising to an easy victory - leading by 4 runs at the end of eight innings - Torre called on Broxton to put the final nails in the Yankee coffin. The LA closer got Mark Teixeira on a called third strike, but the next batter, Alex Rodriguez, singled and moved to second on fielder's indifference. That's when Cano, hitless in his previous three at-bats, delivered a run-scoring double and opened the floodgates. Six more batters came to the plate before Broxton could extricate himself. The Yankees tallied four runs in the inning to tie the game at 6-all. After Mariano Rivera worked a perfect 9th inning of relief, it was Cano again, launching a homer to left with A-Rod aboard, to put he Yankees up 8-6, and, with Rivera still on the mound in the bottom of the 10th, it was game over, Rivera picking up his second win of the season. A win turned into a loss, or, from the Yankees' perspective, a loss that became a win. The Yanks kept their 2-game lead over Boston intact with the win, thanks to Cano, who is a shoo-in for his first All Star start. He currently leads Dustin Pedroia by about a million votes, and Pedroia just went on the DL, so pencil - no, pen - him in. Cano is having a spectacular season, with a league-leading .359 batting average, 15 homers and 53 RBI. As for Rivera, his excellence is evident, as usual. He's converted 17 of 18 save opportunities, allowed just 12 hits in 29 1/3 innings, with 6 walks and 29 strikeouts. Rivera's ERA is 0.92, with an 0.61 WHIP. Opposing batters are hitting just .122 against him this season. Might as well mark him down for his 11th All Star appearance. Hey, Joe, need a closer? How about a second baseman? National League The season slipping away, with one more chance to snatch a win from their cross-town rivals, the Cubs finally rose to the occasion, taking the last of their three-game series - and last interleague game of 2010 - over the White Sox, by an 8-6 score. Without Tyler Colvin atop the Cubs' lineup, the White Sox may have won their 12th straight game, but the rookie provided an offensive spark, starting the scoring with a three-run homer in the 3rd inning, and ending it with an RBI single in the 8th. In between, he singled and scored in the 5th inning, going 3-for-5 with two runs and four RBI. Colvin is having a nice year for the Cubs and certainly deserves more playing time, but with Alfonso Soriano in left, Marlon Byrd having a career year in center and Kosuke Fukudome entrenched in right field, there's no place to put the kid. In just 134 at-bats, Colvin is hitting .296 with 10 homers, 9 doubles, 27 RBI and 24 runs. By comparison, Fukudome - the player he'd likely replace - is batting .270 with 6 homers, 8 doubles, 24 RBI and 24 runs in 189 at-bats. Will manager Lou Piniella make the move? Tough call, though Fukudome, with just 27 homers in nearly 2 1/2 seasons, doesn't have Colvin's power, plus, his career batting average is a sub-par .260. Colvin appears to have great upside, and with the Cubs languishing 8 1/2 games behind the Central division-leading Reds - with the Cards and Brewers also ahead of them - it might be time for Sweet Lou to shake things up. Colvin batted leadoff in Sunday's game, whereas Fukudome was in the top spot in the order in the Cubs' two prior losses to the White Sox Sox, going 1-for-7 with no runs and no RBI. Keep an eye on the Cubs for a full-time change, even though Colvin, a left-hander, may be a bit of a liability in right field, though that shouldn't sway the argument against him. More Streaking: The White Sox loss to the Cubs ended their 11-game winning streak tying them with Texas for the longest in the majors this season. Meanwhile, both Texas' Josh Hamilton and KC's Jose Guillen extended their hitting streaks to 21 games. Hamilton blasted a long, three-run homer in the Rangers' 10-1 win over Houston for his only hit of the game. Guillen had two singles in the Royals' 10-3 win over St. Louis. They are the longest hitting streaks in the majors, creating some excitement as baseball nears mid-season.