Reds 10, Astros 4. The Reds just whooped the tar out of Brett Myers, took a couple innings off, and then beat the tar out of Nelson Figueroa. Homer Bailey pitched very well for the Reds, allowing only one run in six while striking out seven and only walking one. Jay Bruce had three hits, three runs scored and a homer for the Reds, while Ryan Hanigan added three hits and three RBI.
Tigers 6, Yankees 3. AJ Burnett outpitched Rick Porcello, but three unearned runs did him in. The mirage of Brennan Boesch continued his good start to the year, collecting a pair of hits and three RBI to go along with a solo homer. Eric Chavez, starting in place of Alex Rodriguez, broke his foot on a triple and will be out for 4-6 weeks. No one should really be surprised that Chavez is hurt, but at least it’s not his back again.
Mets 5, Giants 2. Mike Pelfrey allowed only one earned run in 7 2/3 innings, while his counterpart Jonathan Sanchez allowed five runs in five innings and never really got it going. He walked six to go along with his six strikeouts. The teams only combined for ten hits, The defending champs fall to a game under .500.
Rays 3, Blue Jays 1. David Price added another pitching gem to a week that has had plenty. He went 8 2/3, allowed one unearned run and four hits, struck out ten, and didn’t walk a soul. That’s some legit stuff right there. Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman reached base twice for the Rays, who are 17-8 after starting the year 0-6. The legend of Sam Fuld continues to die out after an 0/4 day. He’s down to .261/.323/.391.
Angels 11, Red Sox 0. After a game that ended at 2:45 EST, the Angels and Red Sox started in the early afternoon. Those poor, exhausted souls. The Red Sox were the team that looked worse for wear, as John Lackey allowed eight runs in only four innings to his former team. The Angels got nine shutout innings from three pitchers, none of whom were really that spectacular. Erick Aybar and Howard Kendrick, the top two hitters for LA, went a combined 7/12 with three runs and three RBI. That’s how you set the table.
Cardinals 6, Marlins 3. Josh Johnson had his first bad start of the year, allowing five earned in 7 1/3 innings to push his ERA all the way up to 1.68. Jake Westbrook struck out eight without a walk in 6 1/3 for the Cardinals. Albert Pujols reached base four times, and Lance Berkman drove in foru runs. Yeah, that Berkman signing is working out pretty well so far.
Royals 9, Orioles 1. Chris Tillman allowed eight runs and got ten outs. That about sums up how Baltimore’s day went. Bruce Chem stymied them, allowing one run in seven. Melky Bleeping Cabrera had three hits, three rus and four RBI for the Royals, just to spite me a little more.
Indians 4, Athletics 3 (12 innings). Brett Anderson went nine for the A’s and only allowed two runs to go with five strikeouts and no walks. Problem is, the game went 12. Craig Breslow allowed two in the 12th to seal the deal for Cleveland, despite a late rally from Oakland. Lou Marson had three hits for the Tribe, and Ryan Sweeney went 5/6 with a pair of RBI for Oaktown.
Braves 2, Brewers 1. The Braves got a pair of solo homers from Eric Hinske and Martin Prado, and that was enough to complete the four game sweep of Milwaukee. Brandon Beachy struck out a career high nine and allowed one unearned run in six, but got a no decision. Shaun Marcum was equally as good, allowing one run in seven while striking out eight. Each starter only walked one hitter. Gotta love the efficiency involved.
Phillies 7, Nationals 3. Two runs in seven for Roy Halladay, who struck out ten without a walk. But it was against the Nationals, does that count as half? Needless to say, the Phillies ace did what they’re paying him to do. Raul Ibanez broke out of his recent coma with a 3/4 night with three runs and two RBI.
Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 2. The Rockies, led by seven shutout innings from Jason Hammel, held a two run lead going into the ninth. Huston Street (ironically named the delivery man of the month by MLB) allowed solo homers to Chris Young and Gerardo Parra to tie the game. A single by Justin Upton in the 11th would end up being the game winner. Dexter Fowler had three hits for Colorado, while Young added three of his own.
Mariners 3, Rangers 1. Colby Lewis had himself a day, going eight innings and striking out 11 with only one walk. The three runs he allowed were a dealbreaker though, as Jason Vargas of the Mariners only allowed one in his 7 2/3 innings. Justin Smoak tormented his former team, going 3/4 with a homer for Seattle. The Rangers, who were thought to cruise through the AL West after a hot start to the year, now sit in second place in a division where first place and last place are only separated by three games.
Lines of the Night
Hitting
Ryan Sweeney, A’s. 5/6, 1 2B, 2 RBI
Melky Cabrera, Royals. 3/4, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB
Jay Bruce, Reds. 3/4, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR
Raul Ibanez, Phillies. 3/4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR
Erick Aybar, Angels. 4/6, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 SB
Pitching
Brett Anderson, A’s. 9 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K. Game score: 70
David Price, Rays. 8 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K. Game score: 84
Mike Pelfrey, Mets. 7 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Game score: 68
Shaun Marcum, Brewers. 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K. Game score: 70
Brandon Beachy, Braves. 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. Game score: 70
WHAT TO WATCH
Braves @ Phillies: 7:05 PM. Derek Lowe and Cliff Lee go to the hill in the first series in Philly between the perennial powers in the NL East.
Yankees @ Rangers: 8:10 PM. Ivan Nova vs Matt Harrison. OK, the pitching matchup is horrible, but the series between two of the AL’s top teams is sure to be a good one.
Rockies @ Giants: 10:15 PM. Ubaldo Jimenez and Matt Cain will go at it in this duel for NL West supremacy.The Rockies have an awesome 11-4 road record.
