Thursday was, in a word, crazy. Yoenis Cespedes swapped for Jon Lester? David Price going to the Tigers? Austin Jackson becoming a Mariner? John Lackey heading to St. Louis? The Yankees picking up Martin Prado *and* Stephen Drew? Several other trades that I’m forgetting off-hand? YOU BETCHA! Trade deadlines like the one that came about yesterday don’t pop up all that often, but hell, I love it.
Game of the Night: Blue Jays 6, Astros 5. Hey look, another Astros bullpen meltdown! Houston led this one 4-2 after three, but solo homers in the fifth and sixth innings by Toronto tied the game back up at four. In the bottom of the sixth, the Astros reclaimed the lead following an RBI ground out by Gregorio Petit. Josh Fields had a rough eighth inning, allowing back to back singles to Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera before giving up the lead on a Jose Bautista sac fly. The game moved along to the ninth, and Chad Qualls allowed a one out solo homer to Nolan Reimold to push the Jays out in front 6-5. Toronto’s bullpen retired ten of the final 11 batters they faced to end the game, and only two of those 11 batters managed to knock the ball out of the infield.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Clayton Kershaw laid waste to Atlanta’s offense in the Dodgers’ 2-0 win, throwing a complete game, while allowing one run on nine hits, striking out nine without a walk. Julio Teheran pitched very well for the Braves in their loss, giving up two runs on five hits in eight innings, walking three and punching out nine. In Cincinnati’s 3-1 win over Miami, Johnny Cueto allowed one run on four hits in seven innings, striking out nine and walking one. In the loss for Miami, Tom Koehler allowed a pair of unearned runs on five hits in seven innings, striking out three without a walk. Jake Arrieta dominated the Rockies in the Cubs’ 3-1 victory, giving up one run on three hits in seven frames, walking a pair and striking out seven.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In Toronto’s win over Houston, Nolan Reimold went 2/4 with a pair of solo homers. Jason Kipnis played well for the Indians in their 6-5 loss to the Mariners, going 2/5 with a double, a homer, two runs, and two RBI. Yasiel Puig went 2/3 with a double, a solo homer, two runs scored, and a walk in the Dodgers’ win over the Braves. Moises Sierra had a night night in Chicago’s 7-4 win over Detroit, going 4/5 with a double, a run, and an RBI. Ben Revere went off in Philadelphia’s 10-4 win over Washington, going 4/5 with two runs, an RBI, and a stolen base. Teammate Grady Sizemore also played well, going 3/5 with a double, a run, and three RBI.
Other Games: The Cardinals defeated the Padres 6-2. The Royals doubled up the Twins 6-3. The Angels beat the Orioles 1-0 in 13 innings. Arizona beat Pittsburgh 7-4.
Today’s Games: Doug Fister and the Nationals host the Phillies. Justin Verlander toes the rubber for the Tigers against the Rockies. Ryan Vogelsong and Jon Niese will square off in Flushing. Anthony Ranaudo makes his major league debut for the Red Sox against the Yankees. Mat Latos gets the nod for the Reds in Miami. Wily Peralta and Adam Wainwright will duel in St. Louis. Chris Sale and the White Sox host the Twins. Sonny Gray and the Twins take on the Royals.
National TV: Yankees-Red Sox (7 PM, MLB Network, naturally), Mariners-Orioles (7 PM, MLB Network)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
