Dugout Digest – movin’ out

The Rangers overtook the A's for first place in the AL West for the first time in a month on Saturday by virtue of Texas' 5-4 win in Houston and Oakland's 5-4 loss in Toronto. Oakland has struggled since the Break, playing just 9-11 baseball, while the Rangers have played better at a 13-11 clip. There's still plenty of baseball left to be played, and this division is likely going to come down to the six games that the two teams have left this year.

PIC OF THE DAY

Ken Griffey Jr reacts at his Mariners Hall of Fame ceremony. (Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports)

Game of the Night: Cubs 6, Cardinals 5. St Louis held a 4-2 lead going into the eighth, and things looked fine with Trevor Rosenthal on the hill. But Rosenthal started the inning by walking the first two batters he faced, and followed that up with a pair of strikeouts. But Rosenthal couldn't seal the deal, allowing a game-tying two-run double to Darwin Barney to tie the game. Dioner Navarro followed up with a double of his own to put Chicago in front. The Cubs snagged an insurance run in the ninth, and it made a huge difference after Kevin Gregg allowed a solo homer to Matt Holliday to cut the lead to one. But the Cardinals couldn't get any more runs across the plate, handing the Cubs the victory.

Pitching Lines of the Night: Nate Eovaldi helped the Marlins stop Atlanta's winning streak at 14 by allowing one hit over seven shutout innings in Miami's 1-0 win, walking three and striking out eight. In the loss, Alex Wood of the Braves gave up two hits over six scoreless frames, striking out seven and walking one. Tom Gorzelanny carried the Brewers to a 10-0 win in Seattle, giving up three hits over seven shutout innings, walking two and striking out seven. Anibal Sanchez dragged the Tigers to a 9-3 romp in the Bronx, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings, punching out eight and walking one. Zack Greinke helped the Dodgers to a 5-0 win over the Rays, giving up six hits in 6 1/3 shutout innings, striking out seven and walking one. Tyson Ross pitched well for the Padres in their 3-1 win over the Reds, allowing one run on four hits in seven innings, walking four and striking out six.

Hitting Lines of the Night: In that Cardinals' loss to the Cubs, Matt Holliday went 2/3 with two homers, four RBI, and a walk. The duo of Torii Hunter and Austin Jackson gave the Tigers all the offense they needed in the Bronx, as Hunter went 3/4 with two runs, four RBI, and a homer, while Jackson went 2/4 with three runs, a walk, a triple, and a homer. Josh Reddick stayed hot for the A's in their loss north of the border, going 2/4 with two homers and three RBI, while Jose Bautista helped the Jays to a win after going 3/4 with two runs, two RBI, and a walk. Jayson Werth continued to punish his former team in Washington's 8-5 win over Philly, going three runs, three RBI, and a homer.

Other Games: The Giants edged the Orioles 3-2. The White Sox slid by the Twins 5-4. The Angels beat the slumping Indians 7-2. The Red Sox doused the once hot Royals 5-3. The Mets beat the Diamondbacks 4-1. The Rockies used a five run sixth to beat the Pirates 6-4.

Today's Games: Justin Verlander starts for the Tigers in New York against Andy Pettitte. Justin Masterson and the Indians attempt to salvage the series with the Angels. Mike Leake and the Reds host Ian Kennedy and the Padres. RA Dickey and the Blue Jays host the A's. Mike Minor starts for the Braves, hosting the Marlins. John Lackey and James Shields square off in Kansas City. Bud Norris starts for the Orioles in San Francisco against Matt Cain. Felix Hernandez and the Mariners host the Brewers. Stephen Strasburg starts for the Nationals, hosting the Phillies. Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers host the Rays.

National TV: Tigers-Yankees (1 PM, ESPN), Dodgers-Rays (8 PM, ESPN)

MLB.tv Free Game: Orioles-Giants (4 PM)

Pitching Matchup of the Day: John Lackey vs James Shields (Red Sox vs Royals, 2 PM)

Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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