Friday was a good night for the Pirates. After a disappointing series loss in St Louis, the Pirates got back on the winning track by beating the Diamondbacks 6-2 in Pittsburgh. The Cubs curbstomped the Cardinals 7-0, and the Brewers dealt the Reds a 7-6 walkoff loss, helping give Pittsburgh a little more separation in the NL Central. They'll be in first place through the weekend at the very least now.
PIC OF THE DAY
Elvis Andrus is displeased. (Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: Rays 5, Blue Jays 4. On a night with quite a few walkoff hits, this game was my favorite. Toronto led 2-1 heading into the sixth, but extended their lead to 3-1 following an RBI single by Anthony Gose. In the bottom of the inning, Tampa Bay answered back with a Matt Joyce solo homer, cutting the lead to one once again. In the seventh, the Rays answered with a pair, thanks to a Yunel Escobar RBI groundout and an RBI single by Sam Fuld. Toronto tied it in the eighth after Gose brought in Brett Lawrie with a groundout. In the ninth, the Jays put their first two hitters on base before Fernando Rodney got out of the jam. In the bottom of the inning, Escobar walked with one out to bring up Jose Lobaton, and the catcher tripled home Escobar to give the Rays a solid win and pick up a game on the Red Sox.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Jake Arrieta had his finest outing as a Cub in their shutout win over the Cardinals, allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings, walking two and striking out seven. Derek Holland had a good start for the Rangers in their 3-1 loss to the Mariners, giving up two hits in seven shutout frames, striking out six and walking three. Hisashi Iwakuma countered by allowing one run on four hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking three. Zack Greinke controlled the Phillies in a 4-0 Dodgers win, allowing three hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings, walking four and striking out three. Danny Duffy had a strong start for the Royals as they beat the Tigers 2-1, giving up just one hit in six shutout frames, walking three and punching out three.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In Miami's 14-10 loss to the Giants, Justin Ruggiano went 3/4 with three runs, four RBI, a double, and two homers. For the Giants, Hunter Pence went 3/6 with three runs, five RBI, two doubles, and a triple, while Brandon Belt went 4/6 with four runs, an RBI, a double, and a triple. Alfonso Soriano continued his molten play for the Yankees as they routed the Red Sox 10-3, going 3/4 with two runs, four RBI, a homer, and a stolen base. In the Reds' loss in Milwaukee, Todd Frazier went 3/3 with a homer, a walk, and four RBI.
Other Games: The Rockies doubled up the Orioles 6-3. Justin Upton walked off for the Braves in their 3-2, ten inning win over the Nationals. The Mets beat the Padres 5-2, and the White Sox beat the Twins by the same score. The Astros pummeled the Angels 8-2. The A's topped the Indians 3-2.
What You Missed: Charlie Manuel is out in Philly. This week's watchability rankings.
Today's Games: Hiroki Kuroda gets the nod for the Yankees in Boston. Jeff Locke and the Pirates host the Diamondbacks. Bud Norris and the Orioles host the Rockies. Doug Fister and the Tigers welcome Wade Davis and the Royals in Detroit. Clayton Kershaw gets the nod for the Dodgers in Philly. Chris Sale starts for the White Sox against the Twins and red hot rookie Andrew Albers. Stephen Strasburg and Mike Minor will duel in Atlanta. Matt Cain starts for the Giants in Miami. Mat Latos and Yovani Gallardo will battle in Milwaukee. Felix Hernandez starts for the Mariners in Texas. Jenrry Mejia gets the start for the Mets in San Diego.
National TV: Yankees-Red Sox (4 PM, Fox), Diamondbacks-Pirates (4 PM, Fox), Cardinals-Cubs (4 PM, Fox), Dodgers-Phillies (7 PM, MLB Network), Royals-Tigers (7 PM, MLB Network)
MLB.tv Free Game: Astros-Angels (9 PM)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Stephen Strasburg vs Mike Minor (Nationals vs Braves, 7 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
