Throughout the 135 or so years of baseball, every team had beaten every other team…except for one. The Pirates had *never* beaten the A's. Oakland was 11-0 vs Pittsburgh throughout history, and when the A's won the first two games of their series at PNC Park this week, the streak looked like it had the possibility to continue for another few years. But that didn't happen. The Pirates won 5-0, and finally, we've achieved full parity in baseball.
Until we have more expansion, of course.
PIC OF THE DAY
PNC Park is flooded as the sky darkens(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: Blue Jays 5, Indians 4. The Indians held a slim 1-0 lead heading into the seventh inning, but of course, it didn't hold. Emilio Bonifacio singled in a pair in the inning to give Toronto a 2-1 lead. Of course, THAT lead didn't hold after Michael Brantley tied the game with a single off of All-Star (lol) Brett Cecil in the eighth. In the top of the ninth, Munenori Kawasaki put the Jays on top with a two-run single, and a third run ended up scoring on the play after a Michael Bourn error. But in the bottom of the inning, Toronto nearly collapsed. Casey Janssen got the first two outs in quick fashion, but then allowed a pair of singles, cutting the lead to two. After a walk, Kawasaki threw the ball away and what would have been a game-ending groundout. All of a sudden, it was 5-4, and the winning run was on base for the Tribe. But Steve Delabar came in and got Brantley to fly out, ending the game and giving the Blue Jays a solid victory.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Francisco LIriano did it again for the Pirates in their win over the A's, allowing four hits over seven shutout innings, walking one and striking out six. Ivan Nova continued to perform well since returning to the Yankees rotation, leading the Bronx Bombers to an 8-1 win over the Royals and allowing one run on five hits in eight innings, striking out six and walking two. CJ Wilson dominated the Cubs in a 13-2 Angels laugher, giving up one run on four hits in seven innings, punching out six without a walk. Zack Wheeler torched his former team in the Mets' 7-2 win in San Francisco, giving up one run on three hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out five. Finally, Wei-Yin Chen's return to the Baltimore rotation was a success as they topped the Rangers 6-1, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out four.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In that Angels win in Chicago, Josh Hamilton went 2/5 with two homers and five RBI. Robinson Cano went 3/4 with two runs, three RBI, a double, a homer, and a stolen base in the Yankees' win over the Royals. Hanley Ramirez stayed scorching for the Dodgers in their 7-5, 14 inning win in Arizona, going 3/6 with two runs, three RBI, a walk, a double, and a homer. Prince Fielder helped the Tigers to an 8-5 win over the White Sox, going 3/4 with two runs, three RBI, and a homer. Finally, David Ortiz helped the Red Sox to an 11-4 rout over the Mariners, going 2/3 with two runs, three RBI, a double, and a homer.
Other Games: The Marlins topped the Braves 6-2. The Reds cruised past Milwaukee 6-2. The Rays beat the Twins 4-3 in 13 innings. The Nationals homered four times in a 5-1 win in Philly. The Cardinals edged the Astros 5-4. The Rockies slipped by the Padres 5-4.
What You Missed: Shaun Marcum's season is over. Here's a gallery of all of the All-Star Game apples.
Today's Games: RA Dickey starts for the Blue Jays in Cleveland. Matt Moore and the Rays host the Twins. Ervin Santana and Andy Pettitte duel in the Bronx, and some guy makes his return for the Yankees…Dirk, or Darren, or something. Chris Sale and Anibal Sanchez duel in Detroit. Erasmo Ramirez makes his first start of the year for the Mariners as they host the Red Sox. Mat Latos and the Reds take on Tim Hudson and the Braves. Jordan Zimmermann and the Nationals take on Kyle Kendrick in Philly. Jake Westbrook and Edwin Jackson square off in Chicago. Yovani Gallardo looks to boost his trade stock for the Brewers in Arizona. Madison Bumgarner starts for the Giants in San Diego.
National TV: White Sox-Tigers (1 PM, MLB Network), Royals-Yankees (1 PM, MLB Network), Reds-Braves (7 PM, MLB Network), Rangers-Orioles (7 PM, MLB Network)
MLB.tv Free Game: Blue Jays-Indians (12 PM)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Chris Sale vs Anibal Sanchez (White Sox vs Tigers, 1 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
