I think I'm going to be working on a piece later today about the trade deadline being pushed back. But I just want to note this in the DD today: the Mets nor the Phillies sold at the deadline. Each team has precipitously dropped in the standings, and both would firmly be in the sellers camp now…yet, neither moved anyone at the trade deadline. To summarize in a nutshell just had bad things have gotten for the Phillies, they're in *fourth* in the NL East behind the Braves, Nationals, and yes, the Mets. At least they were able to take a series with the Cubs in Philly this week, right?
PIC OF THE DAY
Ryan Raburn pitching dot jpg (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Day: Pirates 5, Marlins 4 (ten innings). Pittsburgh did it again. Miami took a 4-0 lead in this one against Gerrit Cole, but Jose Fernandez wasn't on top of his game. Both starters exited after just five, and the Marlins held a 4-2 lead. In the seventh, the Pirates tied the game after a pair of sacrifice flies. The Marlins loaded the bases in the eighth, but couldn't score. The Pirates got the go-ahead run into scoring position in the eighth, and he died there. Pittsburgh threatened in the ninth, and came away empty-handed. Finally in the tenth, Josh Harrison led off with a single and the Clint Barmes bunted him over to second. After a groundout, Starling Marte was intentionally walked, and Russell Martin proceeded to single in Harrison to give the Pirates their 70th win of the season. Last year, the Pirates won their 70th game on August 29th. This season is real, and it's spectacular.
Pitching Lines of the Day: Tim Lincecum dominated the Brewers in the Giants' 4-1 win, allowing one hit over eight shutout innings, striking out eight and walking one. Hyun-Jin Ryu controlled the Cardinals in Los Angeles' 5-1 victory, giving up one unearned run on five hits in seven innings, striking out seven without a walk. Bruce Chen outdueled Jon Lester in Kansas City's 5-1 win, allowing five hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two. Lester ended up allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits in seven innings, striking out four and walking a pair. Max Scherzer won yet again in Detroit's 10-3 romp of the Indians, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking one.
Hitting Lines of the Day: In the Phillies' 12-1 thrashing of the Cubs, Cody Asche went 3/5 with two runs, two RBI, a double, and a homer. Also in the win, Darin Ruf went 2/4 with two runs, two RBI, a walk, and a homer, and the newly-extended Chase Utley went 2/3 with two runs, an RBI, a walk, and two doubles. Marlins rookie Christian Yelich had a good game for the Fish in Pittsburgh, going 3/4 with two runs, two RBI, a walk, and his first career homer. AJ Ellis gave Ryu all the offense he needed in LA's win in St Louis, going 2/3 with two runs, three RBI, a walk, and a homer.
Other Games: The Mets beat the Rockies 2-1, and no one noticed because Matt Harvey didn't pitch.
What You Missed: Mark Reynolds will be looking for a new home. The Rangers claimed Alex Rios on waivers, but a deal might not follow. Speaking of those Rangers, they're cruising without Nelson Cruz in their lineup.
Today's Games: Jered Weaver and Scott Kazmir will duel in Cleveland. Andrew Cashner starts for the Padres in Cincinnati. Lance Lynn and the Cardinals host the Cubs. Jake Peavy starts for the Red Sox in Kansas City against Ervin Santana. Francisco Liriano starts for the Pirates in Colorado against Jorge de la Rosa. Matt Garza starts for the Rangers in Houston. Pat Corbin and the Diamondbacks host the Mets. Kyle Lohse gets the nod for the Brewers in Milwaukee. David Price starts for the Rays in Los Angeles. Ryan Vogelsong makes his first start in nearly three starts for the Giants, hosting Chris Tillman and the Orioles.
National TV: Tigers-Yankees (7 PM, MLB Network), Angels-Indians (7 PM, MLB Network)
MLB.tv Free Game: Marlins-Braves (7:30 PM)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Jake Peavy vs Ervin Santana (Red Sox vs Royals, 8 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
