The American League pennant race is getting quite interesting. Sure, the Tigers have a comfortable lead in the AL Central, and the Red Sox have some breathing room in the AL East, but neither team is simply coasting like the Braves over in the NL East. Boston is up three games on the Rays in the division, and the Orioles are also just 4.5 games back. Over in the AL West, the Rangers have a one game lead on the A's. And yes, while the Tigers are seven up on the Indians and 7.5 up on the Royals, the Orioles, Indians, and Royals are all within striking range of the wild card leading A's and Rays as well. Unlike the anticlimactic NL race, the AL is going to be quite fun to watch over the season's last seven weeks.
PIC OF THE DAY
Mike Aviles has some hops! (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Day: Yankees 5, Tigers 4. New York held a 4-1 lead heading into the eighth in this one, even after an ugly start from Andy Pettitte. David Robertson came in for the eighth to set up for Mariano Rivera, but allowed a solo homer to Brayan Pena. Big deal, it's just 4-2. With Rivera on the mound in the ninth, Miguel Cabrera led off with a homer. OK, still 4-3. After a Prince Fielder line out, Victor Martinez hit a homer of his own to tie the game. Oh. Well then. But in the bottom of the ninth, after getting the first two outs in easy fashion, Jose Veras allowed a walkoff homer to Brett Gardner, giving New York a win and keeping the Yankees above .500.
Pitching Lines of the Day: Stephen Strasburg threw the first complete game shutout of his career in Washington's 6-0 win over Philadelphia, allowing four hits and striking out ten while walking one. Felix Hernandez dominated the Brewers in Seattle's 2-0 win, giving up four hits over eight scoreless innings, striking out nine and walking one. Martin Perez twirled a complete game in the Rangers' 6-1 win over the Astros, allowing that one run on four hits, walking a pair and punching out eight. Clayton Kershaw finished off the Dodgers' sweep of the Rays with an 8-2 win, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in eight innings, striking out eight and walking two. Finally, Kevin Correia pitched the Twins past the White Sox 5-2, giving up five hits in seven scoreless frames, walking one and striking out seven.
Hitting Lines of the Day: Freddie Freeman powered the Braves to a 9-4 win over the Marlins, going 2/3 with two runs, three RBI, two walks, a double, and a homer. Mark Ellis gave Kershaw and the Dodgers all the offense they needed, as he went 3/5 with a double, a homer, and three RBI. Adam Jones helped the Orioles rout the Giants 10-2, going 2/5 with two runs, four RBI, a double, and a homer. Alex Gordon spurred the Royals to a 4-3 win over the Red Sox, going 3/4 with a double, a homer, two RBI, and a stolen base. Aaron Hill played well for the Diamondbacks in their 9-5 loss to the Mets, going 2/5 with a double, a homer, and four RBI.
Other Games: The Indians rallied to beat the Angels 6-5. The Reds topped the Padres 3-2 in 13 innings. The A's beat the Blue Jays 6-4. The Cardinals avoided a sweep by the Cubs, winning 8-4. The Pirates fell to the Rockies 3-2, handing Colorado a sweep in the process.
Today's Games: Yu Darvish gets the nod for the Rangers in Houston. Cole Hamels starts for the Phillies in Atlanta against Julio Teheran and the Braves. Hiroki Kuroda and the Yankees host the Angels. Mat Latos takes on Travis Wood in Chicago. Doug Fister and Chris Sale face off in the South Side of Chicago. Scott Feldman gets the nod for the Orioles in Arizona. Ricky Nolasco and the Dodgers host the Mets.
National TV: Angels-Yankees (7 PM, ESPN)
MLB.tv Free Game: Indians-Twins (8 PM)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Doug Fister vs Chris Sale (Tigers vs White Sox, 8 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
