The Rays are close in the AL East…ohh, they are close. By virtue of a 3-0 win in Boston last night, the Rays are now just a half game behind the Red Sox for first place in the division. All Tampa Bay needs to do is take two out of their next three in Boston, and they'll be in first place heading into the weekend. Anything less, and they'll be heading to the Bronx still looking to overtake the Red Sox in the division. Tampa Bay now has the third best record in baseball, and have won six straight games. Keep rollin' rollin' rollin'…
PIC OF THE DAY
Reed Johnson celebrates Jason Heyward's game-saving catch (The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: Braves 2, Mets 1. Atlanta trailed New York 1-0 heading into the ninth inning. Mets closer Bobby Parnell was on the hill, and immediately allowed back to back hits to Brian McCann and Evan Gattis to lead off the inning. Parnell got Dan Uggla to ground into a fielder's choice to kill the lead runner, but a passed ball moved Gattis and Uggla into scoring position. Chris Johnson grounded out to short to score Gattis and tie the game, and Reed Johnson followed with a single to drive in Uggla to put Atlanta on top. In the bottom of the ninth, Craig Kimbrel took the mound in wet conditions, and after striking out Ike Davis, plunked John Buck. Kimbrel struck out Juan Lagares for out number two, but pinch runner Andrew Brown moved up to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Justin Turner hit a sinking liner to left center, but Jason Heyward (playing center with BJ Upton on the DL) made a tremendous diving catch to preserve the win for Atlanta.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Matt Moore thrashed the Red Sox in Tampa Bays' 3-0 win, allowing just two hits in his complete game shutout, walking one and punching out four. Dillon Gee pitched very well for the Mets in their loss to the Braves, giving up two hits in seven scoreless innings, walking three and striking out three. Max Scherzer kept the White Sox under control in Detroit's 7-3 win, allowing two runs on four hits in eight innings, striking out five without a walk. Yu Darvish destroyed the Yankees in the Rangers' 3-0 victory, giving up two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless frames, walking two and striking out four. Bronson Arroyo controlled the Giants in the Reds 11-0 win, allowing seven hits in a complete game shutout, walking none and punching out six.
Hitting Lines of the Night: AJ Ellis led the Dodgers to a 14-5 romp in Toronto, going 4/6 with three runs, five RBI, and a homer. Jayson Werth stayed hot in Washington's 6-5 loss to the Pirates, going 2/4 with two homers and four RBI. In the win, Andrew McCutchen went 2/5 with two homers and four RBI of his own. JJ Hardy led the Orioles to a 9-2 win over the Royals, going 3/5 with two runs, three RBI, and a double. Junior Lake helped the Cubs to a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks, going 4/5 with a homer and three RBI. Devin Mesoraco powered the Reds to their blowout win over the Giants, going 3/5 with two runs, two RBI, a double, and a homer.
Other Games: The Padres beat the Brewers 5-3. The Marlins beat the Rockies, their fellow 1993 expansion squad, 3-1. The A's edged the Astros 4-3. The Twins held off the Angels and won 4-3. The Mariners prevailed over the Indians 2-1.
What You Missed: Matt Garza is a Ranger. Ryan Braun is the first victim of Biogenesis. Do midseason blobusters ever work out?
Today's Games: Gerrit Cole starts for the Pirates in Washington. Kris Medlen gets the nod for the Braves in Flushing. Jon Lester and the Bosox host the Rays. Alexi Ogando returns for the Rangers, hosting the Yankees. Shelby Miller and the Cardinals host the Phillies. Jarrod Parker and Jarred Cosart duel in Houston. Jose Fernandez takes on Jhoulys Chacin in Denver. Travis Wood takes on Pat Corbin in Phoenix.
National TV: Yankees-Rangers (8 PM, MLB Network), Tigers-White Sox (8 PM, MLB Network)
MLB.tv Free Game: Phillies-Cardinals (8 PM)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Jose Fernandez vs Jhoulys Chacin (Marlins vs Rockies, 8:40 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
