Going into the bottom of the seventh inning at Turner Field, there was a chance the Braves' winning streak could come to an end. The Royals led 2-1, and with a solid bullpen, it looked like they might be able to hold off Atlanta's offense. But then, Juan Francisco hit a solo homer to dead center off of Jeremy Guthrie to tie the game at two. In the eighth, Kelvin Herrera took the mound for Kansas City, and disaster struck. With one out, Jason Heyward homered to left to put the Braves on top 3-2. Justin Upton followed that dinger with one of his own, extending the lead to 4-2. After Evan Gattis popped out, Dan Uggla came up and launched a homer of his own. All of a sudden, it was 5-2, and the game was out of reach. Each team scored another run, but the Braves still extended their winning streak to ten and their start to 12-1, solidifying their status as the best team in baseball.
PIC OF THE DAY
Billy Willians, Edwin Jackson, and Ernie Banks pose before the Cubs-Rangers game on Tuesday night. (Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: White Sox 4, Blue Jays 3. This game was tied at two heading into the ninth, but Chicago struck in the final inning against Steve Delabar. Delabar began the inning by walking Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko before striking out Conor Gillaspie for the first out. But then, Dayan Viciedo doubled in Dunn to put Chicago on top 3-2. Delabar intentionally walked Alexei Ramirez and was relieved by Darren Oliver, who allowed a sac fly to Hector Gimenez to make it 4-2. In the bottom of the inning, Brett Lawrie brought in Edwin Encarnacion wtih a sac fly of his own to make it 4-3, but neither Rajai Davis nor Maicier Izturis could push Adam Lind home and tie the game for the Jays.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Homer Bailey and Kyle Kendrick put together a pitchers duel in Cincinnati, with Bailey throwing eight shutout innings and giving up two hits while striking out ten without a walk, and Kendrick putting together seven scoreless innings while allowing two hits, two walks, and four strikeouts, but the game was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the ninth, and will finish up tonight. Derek Holland carried the Rangers to a 4-2 win over the Cubs (despite Lance Berkman hating Wrigley Field), allowing two hits in seven shutout frames, striking out six without a walk. Jason Marquis mastered the Dodgers in San Diego's 9-2 win, giving up one run on three hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out five.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In game one of the Mets doubleheader in Colorado, David Wright went 3/5 with three RBI and two homers. Over both games of the doubleheader caused by massive amounts of snow, which the Rockies won 8-4 and 9-8, Carlos Gonzalez went 5/8 with five runs, two RBI, two walks, a stolen base, a double, a triple, and a homer. Juan Franciso provided the Braves with offense early on in their win against the Royals, going 2/3 with two solo homers and a walk. In Detroit's 6-2 win in Seattle, Miguel Cabrera went 3/5 with four RBI and a homer. Carlos Gomez continued his offensive progressions for the Brewers in their 10-8 win against San Francisco, going 3/4 with two runs and his first homer of the year.
Other Games: The Yankees beat the Diamondbacks 4-2. The Orioles withstood a late Rays rally, winning 5-4. An emotional Red Sox team beat the Indians 7-2. The Marlins spanked the Nationals 8-2. Joe Mauer carried the Twins past the Angels 8-6. The A's continued to roll, beating the Astros 4-3.
What You Missed: Yovani Gallardo got a DUI. Johnny Cueto is on the DL.
Today's Games: Wade Davis takes on Mike Minor in a rare 12 PM game in Atlanta. CC Sabathia and the Yankees host Wade Miley and the Diamondbacks. Matt Moore starts for the Rays in Baltimore against Chris Tillman. Shelby Miller takes on AJ Burnett in Pittsburgh. Justin Masterson starts for the Indians against his former team, the Red Sox. Max Scherzer and Felix Hernandez will duel in Seattle. Clayton Kershaw starts for the Dodgers against the Padres.
National TV: Royals-Braves (12 PM, MLB Network), Phillies-Reds (7 PM, ESPN2)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
