Since Matt Kemp returned to the Dodgers' lineup on Friday against the Padres, he's been pretty good….but, he hasn't been the Matt Kemp that dominated the National League in the month of April. Going into Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Kemp had just one extra base hit, a double, in four games since his return. On Wednesday, Kemp stepped up to the plate in the 12th inning of a 3-3 game, and launched a mammoth home run to right center off of Jake Diekman, walking the game off for the Dodgers and giving them a 5-3 win. Kemp might not be all the way back yet. I mean, he still hasn't stolen a base in five games, and he's struck out five times without walking…but I have a feeling that yesterday was the turning point for him.
Game of the Night: Royals 8, Mariners 7. After five, the Royals led this one 7-3, and with all of Seattle's runs coming on homers, it looked like Kansas City was in good shape. But the Mariners fought back and scored one in the sixth and three in the seventh (none coming via the home run) to knot the game at seven. The game went into the bottom of the ninth, and Billy Butler led off against Josh Kinney. On the third pitch of the at bat, Butler hit one into orbit to give the Royals an 8-7 walk-off win.
Pitching Lines of the Night: In Detroit's 7-2 win over the Angels, Doug Fister went eight and allowed just one run on two hits, walking two and striking out ten. Cliff Lee had a similar line, allowing one run on two hits over eight innings in LA, walking one and striking out four. Of course, the game went into extras, Lee got a no-decision, and Kemp walked off. In the same game, Clayton Kershaw also allowed just one run over eight, while he allowed five hits and struck out seven, walking none. Then, we have Hiroki Kuroda in New York, who threw a seven inning, rain-shortened complete game shuout for the Yankees in their 6-0 win over Toronto, allowing four hits and striking out five without a walk.
Hitting Lines of the Night: The Red Sox bruatlized the White Sox 10-1, and Cody Ross went 3/5 with three runs, six RBI, a double, and a pair of homers. The Padres beat the Astros 8-4, and in the losing effort, Matt Downs went 3/4 with four RBI and a pair of homers. The Pirates beat the Rockies 9-6, and Garrett Jones went 3/5 with two runs, three RBI, a double, and a homer. In Arizona's 7-1 win over Cincinnati, Jason Kubel went 2/4 with three RBI, a walk, and a pair of homers.
Other Games: The Brewers held on to beat the Cardinals 4-3. The A's walked off on the Rangers 4-3. The Indians beat up on the Rays, winning 10-6. The Nationals survived a late rally to beat the Mets 4-3. The Giants scored eight runs in extras, beating the Braves 9-4 in 11 innings. The Orioles got a two-run homer from Adam Jones in the first, and that was all they needed to beat the Twins 2-1. The Cubs beat the Marlins 5-1 in a rain-shortened mess at Wrigley.
Today's Games: Not only is this an abbreviated schedule, but only three games are at night too. Woohoo! Ubaldo Jimenez takes on David Price in Tampa. Madison Bumgarner and Tim Hudson will duel in Atlanta. RA Dickey takes on Gio Gonzalez in DC. Felix Hernandez will start for the Mariners in Kansas City. Jose Quintana takes on Clay Buchholz in Boston.
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
