Alex Rodriguez can't get a damn break. Not only did he get vociferously booed in Boston this weekend (which honestly, is part for the course), but even the umpires aren't giving him any love. After Ryan Dempster threw at Rodriguez in the second inning (eventually succeeding), both benches were warned and Dempster was allowed to stay in the game. Of course, this prevented the Yankees from retaliating at all, and New York manager Joe Girardi was ejected (so at least someone likes Alex, I guess). A-Rod ended up getting the last laugh though, finishing his night by going 3/4 with two runs, two RBI, and a homer to lead off the sixth inning to spur New York's comeback in their 9-6 victory.
PIC OF THE DAY
Jose Lobaton is the ice cream (and walkoff) king for the Rays. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Day: Padres 4, Mets 3. This was a largely meaningless game between two teams that aren't contenders, and the only real reason to watch was because Matt Harvey was on the hill for New York. Well, the Cy Young contender exited with a no decision after allowing two runs in six innings, but a pinch hit RBI double by Andrew Brown in the seven gave the Mets a 3-2 lead and gave Harvey a chance to pick up the win. That chance went up in smoke in the eighth thanks to a Padres rally against Gonzalez Germen that led to a run coming in after a Chris Denorfia RBI single. Pedro Feliciano (related: Pedro Feliciano is healthy again?!) came in to get out of Germen's jam with no more runs scoring, but his luck ran out in the bottom of the ninth, giving up a solo homer to Will Venable to hand the Padres a victory and move them back out of the basemen in the NL West.
Pitching Lines of the Day: Homer Bailey dominated the Brewers in the Reds' 9-1 win, allowing one run on three hits in eight innings, striking out eight and walking one. His competitor in the NL Central, Adam Wainwright, pitched the Cardinals past the Cubs 6-1, giving up one run on five hits over seven innings, walking one and punching out 11 Chicago hitters. Chris Archer pitched well for the Rays in their 2-1, ten inning win over the Blue Jays, giving up one run on four hits in seven innings, striking out five without a walk. Max Scherzer picked up his 18th win as the Tigers topped the Royals 6-3, allowing two runs on five hits in eight innings, striking out four without a walk. Wade Miley had a good game for the Diamondbacks in their 4-2, 16 inning win in Pittsburgh, giving up two runs on seven hits in eight innings, striking out eight and walking a pair.
Hitting Lines of the Day: Chris Davis did Chris Davis things as the Orioles beat the Rockies 7-2, going 4/5 with three runs, two RBI, a double, and a homer. Not to be too far outdone, his teammate Adam Jones went 3/5 with two runs, two RBI, a stolen base, a double, and a homer. Matt Dominguez played well for the Astros in their 7-5 win in Anaheim, going 4/5 with two runs, three RBI, and a homer. Alexei Ramirez sparked the White Sox to a 5-2 win over the Twins, picking up three hits in four at bats along with two runs, three RBI, a double, and a triple. Jon Jay brought the offense for the Cardinals at Wrigley, going 2/3 with two runs, four RBI, a walk, a double, and a homer.
Other Games: The Marlins edged the Giants 6-5. The Phillies slipped by the Dodgers 3-2 to end LA's winning streak at ten. The Braves beat the Nationals 2-1 with an AAA lineup…so they really can do anything, I guess. The Mariners beat the Rangers 4-3. The A's woke their bats up, beating the Indians 7-3.
Today's Games: David Price and Chris Tillman will square off in Baltimore. Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Dodgers head south to take on Jose Fernandez and the Marlins. Matt Garza and the Rangers host the Astros. Jordan Zimmermann and the Nationals take on Jeff Samardzija and the Cubs at Wrigley. Shelby Miller starts for the Cardinals in Milwaukee. Jered Weaver and the Angels host Danny Salazar and the Indians. Jarrod Parker starts for the A's, welcoming the Mariners to the Coliseum. Jon Lester and Tim Lincecum will battle in San Francisco. Francisco Liriano starts for the Pirates in San Diego against Andrew Cashner.
National TV: Rays-Orioles (7 PM, MLB Network), Diamondbacks-Reds (7 PM, MLB Network), Red Sox-Giants (10 PM, ESPN2)
MLB.tv Free Game: Dodgers-Marlins (7 PM)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Hyun-Jin Ryu vs Jose Fernandez (Dodgers vs Marlins, 7 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
