The first fight of the year between millionaires upset about how each other is playing the game…isn't it a wonderful time? Our first fight of the year came last night in San Diego, when Zack Greinke threw at Carlos Quentin, who rushed the mound. Both players, along with Jerry Hairston Jr and Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, were ejected. The potentially bigger story is Greinke's broken collarbone, which could destroy his season if it's severe. The fallout from this incident is definitely going to be something to keep an eye on. Oh, and the baseball game…the Dodgers won 3-2.
PIC OF THE DAY
Carlos Quentin and Zack Greinke tussle, while AJ Ellis, Justin Sellers, and Yonder Alonso all try to pry Quentin away. (Jake Roth – USA Today Sports).
Game of the Night: Orioles 3, Red Sox 2. This was a "by default" win due to the abbreviated schedule on Thursday. The Orioles trailed 2-1 after three in Boston, but Adam Jones tied the game at two in the fifth with an RBI single off of Red Sox starter Alfredo Aceves, in the rotation because of John Lackey's injury last Saturday. With both starters out of the game, John Farrell went to the musical relievers strategy in the seventh, but Jones doubled in Manny Machado off of Koji Uehara (the third reliever of the inning for the Red Sox) to give the Orioles the lead. Baltimore's stout bullpen held over the final three innings, and the O's left Beantown with a series win under their belt.
Pitching Lines of the Night: The A's pounded the Angels 8-1, and AJ Griffin did a fine job at limiting Anaheim's offense, allowing one run on five hits over eight innings, walking one and striking out two. Tigers starter Doug Fister shut down Toronto's potent offense in an 11-1 Detroit laugher, allowing one run in eight innings on eight hits, striking out five while walking just one. The rest of the pitching last night was awful.
Hitting Lines of the Night: Seth Smith and Josh Donaldson gave Oakland all the offense they needed. Smith went 4/5 with a run, an RBI, and two doubles, while Donaldson went 2/4 with two runs, two RBI, a walk, and his first homer of the year. Meanwhile in Detroit, tip your cap to Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson, and Torii Hunter. Fielder went 2/2 with four RBI, two walks, and a double, Jackson went 3/6 with three runs and an RBI, and Hunter went 2/4 with two runs and three RBI. Manny Machado went 3/4 with two runs, a walk, and a double for the Orioles. AJ Pierzynski helped the Rangers to a 4-3 win over the Mariners by going 2/3 with a walk and a solo homer. Bryce Harper led the Nationals to a 7-4 win over the White Sox, going 2/3 with two runs, two RBI, and two walks.
Other Games: The Giants beat the Cubs 7-6 in a very painful to watch game. The Yankees and Indians were rained out for a second straight day.
What You Missed: The Rockies spun Aaron Harang to Seattle. Garrett broke down expansion not helping the interleague DH issue. Ian's latest column looked at Jason Motte's potential Tommy John surgery.
Today's Games: The Nationals and Braves begin a series to determine the NL East's top dog, though the Julio Teheran-Ross Detwiler pitching matchup isn't exactly a marquee one. Jon Niese starts for the Mets in Minnesota. Justin Masterson and the Indians host the White Sox. CC Sabathia and the Yankees welcome the Orioles to the Bronx. Matt Cain starts for the Giants in Chicago. Alex Cobb gets the nod for the Rays in Boston. Mike Leake and AJ Burnett will duel as the Reds travel to Pittsburgh. JA Happ and the Blue Jays will head to Kansas City. Kyle Lohse returns to St Louis with his Brewers to take on Shelby Miller and the Cardinals. Max Scherzer starts for the Tigers in Oakland. Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers take on the Diamondbacks. Yu Darvish and Hisashi Iwakuma will battle in a western division clash between the Rangers and Mariners.
National TV: Braves-Nationals (7:00, MLB Network), Phillies-Marlins (7:00, MLB Network [alternate])
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.