Lost in all the hoopla in the league right now is that the Seattle Mariners are playing some really good baseball. Seattle is 23-13 since the All-Star Break, and is a +28 in those 36 games. They're 8-1 in their last nine games, which includes a sweep of the Twins and series wins against the Angels and Rays. Last night, the Mariners beat the Indians 5-3, despite Kevin Millwood not striking a Cleveland hittter out over his six innings of work. Despite all of the negativity surrounding this team, they're having a very good year, all things considered.
Game of the Night: Nationals 5, Braves 4 (13 innings). The Braves got a first inning run on a Jason Heyward RBI single, but the Nationals responded with four against Tim Hudson. The Braves battled back with three of their own in the fourth and fifth, highlighted by a Jason Heyward two-run homer to tie the game in the fifth. The game fell into a scoreless lull and went into extras. In the 13th, The Nationals didn't hit a ball out of the infield all inning, with an infield single, a failed sac bunt, *another* infield single that saw Danny Espinosa go from first to third, and a ball that was a sure-fire double play hit to Dan Uggla….who froze and dropped the ball, allowing Espinosa to score to end the game. What a killer for Braves fans.
Pitching Lines of the Night: In a 2-1 win in LA, Madison Bumgarner confounded the Ddogers, allowing just four hits in eight shutout innings, striking out ten and walknig none. Clayton Kershaw was nearlya s good for the Dodgers, allowing two runs on six hits over eight innings, striking out ten of his own without a walk. The Rangers beat the Orioles 5-1, and Ryan Dempster finally had a good start, allowing one run on four hits over eight innings, walking two and striking out six. The Mets fell to the Rockies 3-1, but RA Dickey was great as usual, allowing one run on three hits over seven innings, walking two and striking out six.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In that Mariners comeback win over the Indians, Michael Saunders went 3/4 witih two homers and four RBI for Seattle. Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy led Milwaukee to a 9-5 win against the Cubs, going 2/3 with two homers and four RBI. Giancarlo Stanton did his thing for the Marlins in a 12-3 blowout over the Diamondbacks, going 2/5 with two homers and four RBI. His teammate Jose Reyes went 4/5 with two runs, two RBI, and three doubles, whle John Buck went 4/5 with three runs and a homer. The Yankees fell 9-6 to the White Sox, but Derek Jeter went 4/5 with two runs, a double, and a homer.
Other Games: Jeremy Hellickson dominated the Royals in a 5-1 Rays win. The Phillies beat up the Reds, winning 12-5. The Twins shut down the A's, winning 7-2. The Padres controlled a tired Pirates team, winning 3-1.
Today's Games: Max Scherzer starts for the Tigers, hosting the Blue Jays. Paul Maholm and Stephen Strasburg will duel in Washington. Homer Bailey and the Reds take on Cliff Lee and the Phillies. David Price and the Rays host Luke Hochevar and the Royals. Ivan Nova and the Yankees will take on Francisco Liriano and the White Sox. Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals host the Astros. Brett Anderson makes his season debut in his return from Tommy John against the Twins. Ricky Nolasco and the Marlins take on Trevor Cahill and the Diamondbacks. Roberto Hernandez makes his second start of the year against Mr Perfect, Felix Hernandez. AJ Burnett starts for the Pirates in San DIego…he threw a no hitter there years ago! Tim Lincecum starts for the Giants against the Dodgers.
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
