Texas Rangers starter Martin Perez is on one hell of a run lately. Well, maybe run isn’t the right word, because Perez hasn’t allowed any in his last three starts. He’s spun 26 straight scoreless innings, and has fired back to back complete game shutouts – including yesterday against the Athletics. He’s not striking many hitters out (just 13, along with six walks) over the three start stretch, but he’s allowed only 11 hits and has generated 41 ground ball outs to only 26 fly ball outs. The 23-year old’s next start is scheduled for Tuesday against those same Athletics, and we’ll see if he can take another step towards history.
Game of the Day: Giants 12, Rockies 10 (11 innings). This game…oh man, this game. Colorado had an early 5-1 lead that it promptly lost in the third inning, but a Charlie Blackmon solo homer put them ahead 6-5 in the fourth. Brandon Belt gave the Giants a 7-6 lead after a two-run shot in the seventh, but the Rockies once again tied it after an RBI double by Nolan Arenado. The same situation happened in the eighth, when the Giants moved in front 8-7 on a solo homer by Hector Sanchez before the Rockies tied it a second time after an RBI ground out by Blackmon. In the 11th, Chad Bettis allowed a single, a walk, and a sac bunt to start the inning, but then walked Joaquin Arias to get to Sanchez…who proceeded to hit a long grand slam to center field to make it 12-8. The Rockies got two off of Sergio Romo following a two-run Justin Morneau homer, but Brandon Barnes grounded into a game-ending double play to finish Colorado off for good.
Pitching Lines of the Day: I already mentioned Perez in the opening, but his final line of a three-hit, complete game shutout while walking two and punching out three in the Rangers’ 3-0 win in Oakland bears repeating. John Lackey led the Red Sox to a 5-1 win over the pine tar happy Michael Pineda and the Yankees, allowing one run on seven hits in eight innings, punching out 11 without a walk. Zack Greinke led the Dodgers to a 5-2 win in Cole Hamels’ return to the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings, punching out 11 and walking one. In Milwaukee’s 5-2 win over San Diego, Kyle Lohse allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in seven innings, walking none and striking out five. Aaron Harang stayed hot for the Braves in their 3-1 win over the Marlins, striking out 11 with one walk in six innings, giving up one run on six hits. Nate Eovaldi pitched just as well for Miami, allowing one unearned run on five hits in six innings, walking one and striking out seven.
Hitting Lines of the Day: Kyle Seager led the Mariners to a 5-3, walk off win over the Astros, going 2/3 with two homers, a walk, and all five RBI. In Baltimore’s 10-8 win over Toronto, Nelson Cruz went 2/4 with a pair of homers, five RBI, and a walk, while Matt Wieters went 3/5 with a double, a homer, and two RBI. In the loss, Brett Lawrie went 3/5 with a three-run homer. Aaron Hill helped the Diamondbacks come back to beat the Cubs 7-5, going 4/5 with two runs, a double, and a triple.
Hitting Lines of the Day, Coors Field Edition: Every so often, one game needs it’s own section here. Hector Sanchez went 2/6 with two homers and five RBI for the Giants, while teammate Michael Morse went 2/4 with two homers and four RBI. Brandon Hicks also added three hits, a double, and a solo homer. The Rockies offense was powered by Troy Tulowitzki going 3/5 with a homer, a walk, two runs, and three RBI, and Charlie Blackmon going 2/5 with a homer, a walk, a stolen base, four runs, and three RBI.
Other Games: The Indians topped the Royals 5-3. The Nationals rallied against the soft Angels bullpen to earn a 5-4 walk off win. The Reds cruised past the Pirates 5-2. The White Sox used a Marcus Semien grand slam to beat the Tigers 6-4. The Mets somehow held on to beat the Cardinals 3-2. The Twins triumphed over the Rays 6-4 in 12 innings.
What You Missed: Josh Johnson, meet Tommy John. A Wrigley Field retrospective. Why does no one care about Albert Pujols hitting #500?
Today’s Games: Corey Kluber and the Indians host the Royals. Tony Cingrani gets the nod for the Reds against the Pirates and the mysterious TBA. Jose Quintana and Max Scherzer will duel in Detroit. Bartolo Colon and the Mets host the Cardinals. Ricky Nolasco starts for the Twins in Tampa Bay. Jordan Zimmermann and the Nationals welcome the Padres to town. C.C. Sabathia starts for the Yankees in Boston. Scott Kazmir starts for the A’s in Houston.
National TV: Reds-Pirates (12:30 PM, MLB Network), Cardinals-Mets (1 PM, MLB Network), Yankees-Red Sos (7 PM, MLB Network, of course), Orioles-Blue Jays (7 PM, MLB Network)
MLB.tv Free Game: Twins-Rays (1 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
