On Tuesday night, the two Chicago teams had very different highlights in their respective games. First, Adam Dunn made his pitching debut for the White Sox. It was as ridiculous as you could have possibly imagined. Then in Denver, Cubs stud rookie Javier Baez made his major league debut…and won the game for the team in the 12th inning with a homer. Talk about a tale of two fanbases – one fanbase is excited about their overpaid, aging, underperforming DH taking the hill in a blowout, and the other is excited about the future of their franchise, someone they’ve heard about for years, finally making an impact on the major league club.
Game of the Night: Cubs 6, Rockies 5 (12 innings). The Javier Baez era sure did start off with a bang in Denver. This game was knotted at four after seven innings, and would remain that way into the 11th. After Starlin Castro doubled to lead off the inning, Adam Ottavino got Justin Ruggiano to ground out, and then walked both Luis Valbuena and Wellington Castillo to load the bases. Boone Logan replaced Ottavino, and allowed a bloop single to Ryan Sweeney, putting the Cubs ahead 5-4. Logan got out of the jam with no further damage, and Hector Rendon came in to save the game for the Cubs. Of course, that didn’t happen – Rondon allowed three singles in the bottom of the 11th, with a two-out knock by Charlie Culberson tying the game at five. Rondon struck out Justin Morneau to send the game into the 12th, and that’s when Baez led off with a homer against Logan to make it 6-5. Carlos Villanueva came in for the bottom of the 12th, allowed a one-out single to Wilin Rosario, and ended the game with a strikeout and a fielder’s choice to finish the game for Chicago.
Pitching Lines of the Night: In the Rangers’ 16-0 blowout win over the White Sox, Colby Lewis threw a complete game, six hit shutout, walking one and striking out seven. Felix Hernandez beat up the Braves in a 4-2 Mariners win, allowing one run on four hits in eight innings, walking one and striking out eight. Johnny Cueto and the Reds beat the Indians 9-2, thanks to Cueto throwing a complete game while giving up two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out six. David Price’s Tigers debut was a success as they topped the Yankees 4-3 in 12 innings, thanks to Price allowing three runs on eight hits in 8 2/3 innings, punching out ten and walking none. Dallas Keuchel starred for the Astros in their 2-1, 15 inning loss to the Phillies, giving up one run on five hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out four. Lance Lynn pitched the Cardinals to a 3-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in seven innings, walking one and punching out four.
Hitting Lines of the Night: Billy Butler went 4/5 with a double, a homer, two runs, and three RBI in Kansas City’s 12-2 thrashing of the Diamondbacks, while Sal Perez went 3/5 with a homer, two runs, and three RBI. For the Rangers in their blowout win in Chicago, Robinson Chirinos went 3/5 with two homers and three runs scored, while J.P. Arencibia went 3/5 with a double, a homer, four RBI, and a walk. Yonder Alonso played well in the Padres’ 3-1 loss to the Twins, going 3/4 with a double and a solo homer. Jay Bruce went 3/5 with a homer and two RBI for the Reds in Cleveland. Juan Uribe helped the Dodgers beat the Angels 5-4, going 2/4 with a homer, two runs, and three RBI.
Other Games: The Mets beat the Nationals 6-1 behind the arm of Zack Wheeler. The Marlins doubled up the Pirates 6-3. The Brewers topped the Giants 4-3 thanks to a late homer by new Brewer Gerardo Parra. The Orioles beat the Blue Jays 9-3. The A’s shut out the Rays 3-0.
Today’s Games: Chris Sale and the White Sox host the Rangers. Julio Teheran starts for the Braves in Seattle. Sonny Gray and the A’s host the Rays. Justin Verlander gets the nod for the Tigers in the Bronx. Wei-Yin Chen and the Orioles take on the Blue Jays. Jon Niese and Doug Fister will tango in Washington. Mat Latos and the Reds host the Indians. Joe Kelly starts for the Red Sox in St. Louis against his former teammate, Shelby Miller. Yovani Gallardo and the Brewers host Ryan Vogelsong and the Giants. Jake Arrieta takes the hill for the Cubs in Colorado. Yordano Ventura and the Royals take on the Diamondbacks.
National TV: Red Sox-Cardinals (8 PM, ESPN)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
