I hate to get all depressing, but rain was once again a factor on Wednesday night. This time, several teams didn’t even bother starting – four games were postponed before a pitch was even thrown or a fan had been let through the gates. While this does completely suck, we’ll get a break with *three* doubleheaders today. Hooray for doubleheaders!
Game of the Night: Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 4 (ten innings). Arizona scored four runs in the first three innings of this game, and looked to send Arizona to another pathetic loss. But Arizona showed…wait for it…some grit. They scored just once in the first seven innings of the game, but a solo homer by Paul Goldschmidt’s solo homer in the eighth made it 4-2. In the ninth against Rex Brothers, getting the save chance because LaTroy Hawkins was unavailable for a third straight day, they really broke through. Cody Ross singled to lead off the inning, and Brothers retired the next two batters with ease. He then gave up a pinch hit double to Chris Owings and hit Gerardo Parra, loading the bases for Martin Prado. Prado singled in a pair to tie the game and hand Brothers his third blown save of the season (already!). After Brothers retired Goldschmidt to send the game to extras, Tommy Kahnle allowed a walk off homer to Miguel Montero, the first batter he faced, to hand the game to the Diamondbacks. But you have to give credit to Arizona’s pitching staff – they allowed just three hits after the third inning, and only one runner got into scoring position over the rest of the night.
Pitching Lines of the Night: In Oakland’s 12-1 smashing of the Rangers, Jesse Chavez allowed just one hit over seven shutout innings, walking one and striking out eight. C.J. Wilson had a nice start for the Angels in their 7-1 win over the Indians, giving up one run on two hits in eight innings, striking out eight while walking one. Nate Eovaldi shut down Atlanta’s offense in Miami’s 9-3 win, allowing one run on three hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking one. Max Scherzer threw six shutout innings in Detroit’s 5-1 win over the White Sox, giving up four hits, three walks, and notching seven strikeouts. In San Francisco’s 3-2 win over San Diego, Tim Hudson allowed two runs on five hits in 8 2/3 innings, striking out six without a walk.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In Washington’s 7-0 win over Houston, Anthony Rendon went 4/5 with two doubles, a homer, two runs, and three RBI. Allen Craig powered the Cardinals to a 9-3 win over the Brewers, going 4/5 with two doubles, a homer, and three RBI. Jon Jay chipped in for St. Louis by going 3/4 with two doubles, two runs, an RBI, and a walk. Eduardo Escobar went a perfect 4/4 in Minnesota’s 6-4 loss to the Dodgers, doubling while scoring one run and driving in two. Anthony Rizzo had a strange line for the Cubs in their 9-4 win over the Reds, going 1/1 with a homer, three runs, two RBI, and four walks.
Other Games: The Royals topped the Blue Jays 4-2. The Rays-Red Sox, Pirates-Orioles, Mets-Phillies, and Mariners-Yankees games all fell victim to Mother Nature.
What You Missed: A Midwest League game was delayed after a sprinkler went off mid-game. Five teams that should be concerned after April. The story behind Milwaukee’s incredible turnaround. A.J. Griffin is joining the Tommy John party. Matt Cain was scratched on Tuesday because he hurt himself…making a sandwich. Jayson Stark of ESPN was inadvertently a force behind keeping Pete Rose banned for life.
Today’s Games: In the Rays-Red Sox doubleheader, Chris Archer will start game one for Tampa Bay, while Jake Peavy will start game two for Boston. Charlie Morton starts game one of the Pirates-Orioles doubleheader for Pittsburgh, and Chris Tillman starts game two for Baltimore. Dan Haren toes the rubber for the Dodgers in game one of their doubleheader with the Twins. Hiroki Kuroda starts for the Yankees, hosting the Mariners. Ervin Santana starts for the Braves in Miami against Henderson Alvarez. Mark Buerhle gets the nod for the Blue Jays in Kansas City. Bartolo Colon and Juan Nicasio will battle in Denver.
National TV: Dodgers-Twins (1 PM, MLB Network), Rays-Red Sox (7 PM, MLB Network), Mariners-Yankees (7 PM, MLB Network)
MLB.tv Free Game: Braves-Marlins (7 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
