A number of players that were dealt at the trade deadline made their debuts with their new clubs on Saturday. The results weren’t exactly dynamic.
Yoenis Cespedes went 1/4 with a run scored in his first game with the Red Sox.
Jon Lester pitched the A’s to a win over the Royals, but allowed three runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out just three.
Justin Masterson’s Cardinals beat the Brewers despite their new starter allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings to go along with three walks and four strikeouts.
So, maybe the success won’t be instant for some of these guys. It’s alright – we still have two months until the playoffs.
Game of the Night: Twins 8, White Sox 6. Who ever said that teams that really aren’t contenders can’t play a fun baseball game? The Twins led 4-2 after four, but the White Sox battled back in the seventh. Yohan Pino allowed a pair of singles to begin the inning, and was pulled after an Adrien Nieto sac bunt put the tying run in scoring position. Brian Duensing game in to face Adam Eaton, and Eaton promptly doubled in a pair to tie the game. Jared Burton then took Duensing’s place on the hill, and allowed a go-ahead RBI double to Gordon Beckham. After a Jose Abreu intentional walk and an Adam Dunn lineout, Alexei Ramirez singled in Beckham to make it 6-4. In the top of the eighth, the White Sox bullpen ran into their own difficulties. After getting Brian Dozier to ground out to begin the game, Ronald Belisario allowed a single to Trevor Plouffe, hit Josh Willingham, and gave up a single to Kurt Suzuki to make it 6-5. Jake Petricka then reliever Belisario, and after getting Kennys Vargas to ground out for the second out, gave up a go-ahead two-run double to Oswaldo Arcia. Adam Eaton ran the White Sox out of a potential rally in the bottom of the eighth, and after a Danny Santana solo homer in the ninth, it was curtains for Chicago against Glen Perkins.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Jordan Zimmermann cruised in Washington’s 11-0 win over the Phillies, tossing seven shutout frames while allowing five hits and striking out eight without a walk. Nate Eovaldi pitched the Marlins to a 2-1, ten inning win over the Reds, giving up one run on two hits in seven innings, walking a pair and punching out eight. In the loss for Cincinnati, Homer Bailey allowed one run on three hits in seven frames, walking three and striking out five. Rick Porcello pitched the Tigers to an 11-5 win over the Rockies, giving up two runs on five hits in eight innings, walking two and punching out ten. Mets rookie Jacob deGrom dazzled the Giants in New York’s 4-2 win, allowing two runs on four hits in 7 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out seven.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In that Nationals romp over Philadelphia, Anthony Rendon went 3/5 with a double, a homer, two runs, four RBI, and a stolen base. Chris Carter helped the Astros to an 8-2 win over the Blue Jays, going 3/4 with a double, a homer, three runs, two RBI, and a stolen base. Also in Houston’s win, Jon Singleton went 3/4 with a double, a homer, and three RBI. Kolten Wong and the Cardinals held on to beat the Brewers 9-7, with Wong going 3/5 with a double, a homer, two runs, three RBI, and a stolen base. In the Dodgers’ 5-2, 12 inning win over the Cubs, Hanley Ramirez went 3/5 with a double, a homer, two runs, three RBI, and a walk. Adam Eaton played well for the White Sox in their loss to the Twins, going 4/5 with three doubles, a run, and two RBI. Dustin Ackley went 3/5 with a double, a homer, and three runs scored in Seattle’s 6-3 win over Baltimore. Josh Harrison stayed molten for the Pirates in their 8-3 victory in the desert, going 3/4 with a double, a homer, two runs scored, and a walk.
Other Games: The Yankees topped the Red Sox 6-4. The A’s beat the Royals 8-3. The Indians shut out the Rangers 2-0. The Twins ropped the White Sox 8-6. The Rays stomped the Angels 10-3. The Padres dealt the Braves a 3-2, 12 inning, walk off loss.
Today’s Games: Yu Darvish and Trevor Bauer will square off in Cleveland. Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers host Jorge de la Rosa and the Rockies. Madison Bumgarner starts for the Giants in Flushing against Bartolo Colon and the Mets. Mike Leake gets the nod for the Reds in Miami. Cole Hamels and Stephen Strasburg will duel in Washington. Jered Weaver and the Angels take on Jake Odorizzi and the Rays. Jose Quintana starts for the White Sox against the Twins. John Lackey makes his Cardinals debut, hosting Matt Garza and the Twins. Marcus Stroman takes the hill for hte Blue Jays in Houston. Tyson Ross and the Padres host the Braves. Scott Kazmir and the A’s take on James Shields and the Royals. Francisco Liriano will go for the Pirates in Arizona.
National TV: Angels-Rays (1:30 PM, TBS), Yankees-Red Sox (8 PM, ESPN, of course)
Enjoy your day of baseball everyone.
