Labor Day wasn’t exactly a time of joy for many teams. The Houston Astros fired manager Bo Porter after less than two seasons on the job. The Atlanta Braves got no-hit by four Philadelphia Phillies pitchers in the midst of a pennant race, losing a game in the NL East standings to the Washington Nationals in the process. The Texas Rangers saw their elimination number creep down to four, about three weeks earlier than anyone would have realistically expected. The Cleveland Indians and ace Corey Kluber got absolutely embarrassed by the Detroit Tigers. The Pittsburgh Pirates lost yet another one run game to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Milwaukee Brewers fell out of first place for the first time since April 4th, Needless to say…it wasn’t exactly an ideal day for a quarter or so of the teams in the league.
Game of the Day: Rockies 10, Giants 9. Well, talk about going from one extreme to another. Tim Hudson and the Giants were coasting through five innings, leading 7-2 and looking like they would pick up their second win of the day. Hudson imploded to start the six, walking Corey Dickerson and allowing back to back singles to Michael McKenry and Josh Rutledge to make it 7-3. An error by Joe Panik made it 7-4, and ended Hudson’s afternoon. Javier Lopez replaced him, and allowed a single to rookie Rafael Ynoa to make it 7-5, and a fielder’s choice ground out to Charlie Blackmon to make it 7-6. Jean Machi got out of the sixth without any more damage, but had a disastrous seventh that was topped off with a go-ahead, two run homer by Ben Paulsen to make it 9-7. After an uneventful eighth, LaTroy Hawkins game in to save the game in the ninth, and *he* imploded. Panik doubled to start the inning, and Buster Posey singled him in to make it 9-8. Pinch runner Juan Perez moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Pablo Sandoval to tie the game at nine. Former closer Sergio Romo came in for the bottom of the ninth, and things didn’t go well. McKenry singled to lead off the frame and moved to second on a Rutledge sac bunt. Charlie Culberson popped up for the second out, and Ynoa then reached on an infield single to bring up Blackmon, who singled home McKenry to give the Rockies a win and keep their elimination number from decreasing once again.
Pitching Lines of the Day: In Oakland’s 6-1 win over Seattle, Jason Hammel allowed one run on three hits in eight innings, walking one and striking out five. Cole Hamels did his part in Philadelphia’s 7-0, no-hitter against the Braves, tossing six no-hit innings while walking five and striking out seven. Phil Hughes shut down the Orioles in the Twins’ 6-4 win, giving up three unearned runs on five hits in eight innings, striking out five without a walk. Jacob Turner shined for the Cubs in their 4-2 win over the Brewers, allowing one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out seven.
Hitting Lines of the Day: In Detroit’s 12-1 thrashing of the Indians, Miguel Cabrera went 4/5 with two homers, four runs, and three RBI. Victor Martinez chipped in by going 2/3 with a double, a homer, two runs, two RBI, and two walks. Denard Span went 2/5 with two homers and three RBI for Washington in their 6-4 win over the Dodgers. Sal Perez helped the Royals beat the Rangers 4-3, going 3/4 with a double, a homer, and three RBI. Joe Mauer went 3/4 with a triple, two runs, and four RBI for Minnesota in their win over Baltimore. Mets rookie Dilson Herrera went 2/4 with a triple, a homer, and three RBI in New York’s 9-6 loss to the Marlins.
Other Games: The Rays walked off on the Red Sox 4-3 in ten innings. The Giants beat the Rockies 4-2 to complete their suspended game from May. The Cardinals rallied to beat the Pirates 5-4. The Padres topped the Diamondbacks 3-1.
Today’s Games: Mat Latos starts for the Reds in Baltimore, Mike Minor and the Braves host the Phillies. Jon Niese takes the hill for the Mets in Miami. R.A. Dickey gets the nod for the Blue Jays in St. Pete against the Rays. Yovani Gallardo and Jake Arrieta will face off at Wrigley. Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals take on Jeff Locke and the Pirates. Derek Holland makes his season debut (finally) for the Rangers in Kansas City. C.J. Wilson and the Angels battle the Astros. Doug Fister and Clayton Kershaw will duel in Los Angeles. James Paxton takes the hill for the Mariners in Oakland against Sonny Gray and the A’s.
National TV: Red Sox-Yankees (7 PM, MLB Network, of course), Tigers-Indians (7 PM, MLB Network)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
