The Derek Jeter farewell tour started in Houston on Tuesday, and the outcome was hilarious – the Astros beat the Yankees 6-2. If we’re going to be subjected to a year of Jeter fellation, it would be perfect if the Yankees were a fourth or fifth place team this season in the AL East.
Game of the Night: Rangers 3, Phillies 2. Texas picked up the walkoff win in this one after falling behind 2-0 in the sixth. The Rangers promptly put a run on the board in the bottom of the sixth to make it 2-1, and tied it in the seventh following a double from Adrian Beltre. In the bottom of the ninth, Marco Hollands made his major league debut by walking Shin-Soo Choo, allowing a sac bunt to Elvis Andrus, and walking Prince Fielder. Hollands was replaced by B.J. Rosenberg, who proceeded to allow an RBI single to Beltre to set off the celebration in Arlington.
Pitching Lines of the Night: It was kind of a mediocre night for pitching following the star performances on Opening Day. Scott Feldman gave up just two hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings in Houston’s 6-2 win over the Yankees, walking a pair and striking out three. In Atlanta’s 5-2 win over Milwaukee, Alex Wood gave up just one run on five hits in seven innings, punching out five and walking three. Drew Hutchison helped the Blue Jays to a 4-2 win over the Rays, giving up three hits in 5 1/3 scoreless frames, walking three and striking out four. Erasmo Ramirez pitched the Mariners to an 8-3 win over the Angels, allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings, walking none and punching out six.
Hitting Lines of the Night: In Atlanta’s win over Milwaukee, Freddie Freeman went 3/3 with a pair of solo homers and a walk. Brad Miller went 2/5 with two homers and three RBI’s win in Seattle’s win over Anaheim. Adam Lind paced Toronto in their win over Tampa Bay, going 2/3 with a three-run homer and a walk. Brandon Belt had a good night for the Giants in their 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks, going 2/4 with a three-run homer. In the win for Arizona, A.J. Pollock went 3/4 with a double, two runs, and an RBI. Finally, Yasiel Puig went 2/4 with a two-run homer in the Dodgers’ 3-2 win over the Padres.
Other Games: The Marlins edged the Rockies 4-3. The Indians and A’s were postponed at O.co Coliseum, the first rainout there since 1998.
What You Missed: Before their win over the Giants, Diamondbacks personnel made some Giants fans behind the plate move. Clayton Kershaw isn’t going to be back right away for the Dodgers, Jose Reyes is hurt *again* for the Blue Jays, and the duo of Bobby Parnell and David Hernandez may not be back at all in 2014. On the column front, Garrett looked at the closer switcharoos by the Brewers and White Sox on Opening Day, I ranted about people damning Brewers fans for cheering Ryan Braun, and Tim questioned some moves made by Kirk Gibson on Monday night.
Today’s Games: Max Scherzer makes his season debut for the Tigers, hosting Jason Vargas and the Royals. Matt Garza makes his Brewers debut against the Braves. The Corey Kluber-Scott Kazmit matchup from yesterday will take place during the day today in Oakland. Edwin Jackson starts for the Cubs in Pittsburgh against Charlie Morton. Michael Wacha starts for the Cardinals in Cincinnati. Ubaldo Jimenez makes his Orioles debut against the Red Sox. Bartolo Colon and the Mets host Gio Gonzalz and the Nationals. Mark Buehrle starts for the Blue Jays in Tampa Bay against Matt Moore. Hiroki Kuroda and the Yankees take on Jarred Cosart and the Astros. Tim Hudson starts for the Giants in Arizona. Dan Haren starts for the Dodgers in San Diego.
National TV: Royals-Tigers (1 PM, MLB Network), Braves-Brewers (1:10 PM, MLB Network) Phillies-Rangers (8 PM, ESPN2)
MLB.tv Free Game: Braves-Brewers (1:10 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
