After a rainout a couple of weeks ago against the Royals, the Red Sox called up prospect Allen Webster for a spot start, and he pitched relatively well in the 5-4, ten inning Kansas City loss. Webster was called up again for a start on Wednesday, and the results were…not exactly up to snuff. In his brief outing against the Twins, Webster recorded only five outs, and gave up eight runs on six hits, walking three and striking out two. In the 15-8 Boston loss, Webster was saddled with a game score of just 10, one of the lowest of the season. Maybe he's not as polished as everyone is saying, and he *does* need more time in AAA.
PIC OF THE DAY
Jacoby Ellsbury goes airborne against the Green Monster in an attempt to make a catch. (Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Day: Giants 4, Phillies 3 (ten innings). Holding to a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning, Sergio Romo came on to save the game for the Giants. Jimmy Rollins led the inning off with a double for the Phillies, and moved up to third on a pop out. After Michael Young walked, Chase Utley singled home Rollins, and both runners moved into scoring position. Delmon Young then brought Michael Young home with a sac fly to tie the game at three. In the bottom of the inning for the Giants, Gregor Blanco reached on an infield single, but was gunned out trying to steal second. A Marco Scutaro double (which would have won the game) then followed, but Mike Adams got out of the inning. In the top of the tenth, Ben Revere reached on an infield single but was thrown out trying to steal second. Then in the bottom of the inning, Buster Posey led off with a single, moved to second on a bunt, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Andres Torres to salvage the series for the Giants.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Jason Marquis pitched the best game of the night, and my soul hurts. In San Diego's 1-0 win over Miami, Marquis allowed five hits in eight shutout innings, walking one and striking out three. Ricky Nolasco nearly matched him pitch for pitch, allowing one run on four hits in seven innings, striking out nine while walking one. There was another pitcher's duel going on yesterday, and that took place in Pittsburgh. The Mariners beat the Pirates 2-1, but AJ Burnett and Felix Hernandez were the show. Burnett allowed two runs on two hits in seven innings, walking four and striking out nine, while Hernandez allowed one run on six hits in eight innings, walking one and striking out five.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In that blowout win in Boston, Ryan Doumit carried the Twins offense by going 4/5 with three runs, two RBI, a walk, and a homer. Kelly Johnson had a great game for the Rays in their 10-4 win over Toronto, going 3/4 with three runs, two RBI, a walk, a double, and a homer. Paul Goldschmidt was the entirety of the Diamondbacks offense in their 3-2 win over the Dodgers, going 2/4 with two homers and three RBI. Alex Rios powered the White Sox to a 6-3 win over the Mets, going 3/5 with three runs, two RBI, a double, and a homer. Dan Uggla showed flashes of brilliance for the Braves in their 7-2 win over the Reds, going 2/4 with three runs and two homers.
Other Games: The Indians beat the A's 4-3, thanks in part to a terrible blown call in the ninth. The Orioles beat the Royals 5-3 and have very quietly ascended to the top of the AL East. The Cardinals edged the Cubs 5-4. The Astros beat the Angels 3-1, and are only a game and a half behind Anaheim in the AL West standings. Seriously. The Nationals beat the Tigers 3-1 behind Jordan Zimmermann and Bryce Harper. The Rangers bear the Brewers 4-1. The Yankees rallied late to beat the Rockies 3-2.
What You Missed: Roy Halladay will need shoulder surgery. Evan Gattis' arm is insane. Rays closer Fernando Rodney is a pumpkin once again. THE GREATEST KISS CAM MOMENT EVER, staged or not. JA Happ is in good condition after his awful injury.
Today's Games: Jeremy Guthrie starts for the Royals in Baltimore against his former team. CC Sabathia gets the nod for the Yankees in Denver. John Lackey starts for the Red Sox against the surprisingly competent Kevin Correia. Doug Fister and Dan Haren will duel in Washington. RA Dickey takes on David Price in a battle of struggling aces in Tampa. Cole Hamels takes on Pat Corbin in Arizona.
National TV: Braves-Giants (10 PM, MLB Network), Phillies-Diamondbacks (9:40, MLB Network [alternate])
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
