Let's put together a brief recap of the Mariners-Yankees game from last night, shall we?
-Yankees starter Phil Hughes didn't make it out of the first inning, allowing seven runs on six hits and getting just two outs.
-Raul Ibanez drove in six runs. Combine that with his two RBI from Tuesday, and you've got nearly half of his 17 on the season coming in the last two games.
-Dustin Ackley walked three times on Wednesday and once on Tuesday, giving him nearly half of his walks for the season (nine) in the last two games
-Brett Marshall made his major league debut in relief for the Yankees. He threw 108 pitches.
-Because the Yankees needed to get Marshall out of the game in the ninth, the team brought in shortstop Alberto Gonzalez to pitch. They shifted Jayson Nix to Gonzalez's spot at shortstop, and let Vernon Wells play second base. Good for Vernon, ticking second and third base off his bucket list in the span of a week.
-Lost in the mess was a pretty damn good start from Hisashi Iwakuma, who allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings for Seattle.
-And to top it all off, the game only lasted 2:48.
So, how did you spend *your* Wednesday night?
PIC OF THE DAY
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, contemplating a career change? (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: Cardinals 4, Mets 2. Here's your winner by default. The Mets tied the game at two in the seventh after a two-run homer by Rick Ankiel. St Louis immediately took back the lead after a Scott Rice wild pitch brought in Daniel Decalsco. The Cardinals tacked on an insurance run in the eighth when Yadier Molina singled in Matt Holliday. The Mets nearly pulled this game out of the crapper despite an absolutely dreadful performance with their bats aside from Ankiel's homer.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Jeff Samardzija led the Cubs to a 6-3 win over the Rockies, allowing two runs on five hits in eight innings, walking two and striking out seven. Wandy Rodriguez helped the Pirates beat the Brewers 3-1, giving up one run on six hits in seven innings, striking out five while walking one. Cardinals rookie Shelby Miller gave up four hits in 5 2/3 scoreless frames in that Cardinals win in New York, striking out six and walking one.
Hitting Lines of the Night: Adam Dunn carried the White Sox to a 9-4 win over the Twins, going 3/4 with a double, two homers, five RBI, and a walk. Shin-Soo Choo powered the Reds offense in a 4-0 win over Miami, going 4/5 with three runs and two solo homers. The aforementioned Raul Ibanez went 2/5 with two homers to go along with his six RBI for the Mariners. Jason Kipnis had a good game for the Indians in their 10-4 win in Philadelphia, going 3/4 with three runs, three RBI, a walk, two doubles, and a homer. Alexi Amarista propelled the Padres to an 8-4 win in Baltimore, going 3/5 with three runs, two RBI, two doubles, and a homer.
Other Games: Paul Goldschmidt doubled three times in a 5-3 Diamondbacks win over the Braves. The Astros won their final game of the year against the Tigers 7-5. The Rangers beat the A's 6-2. The Red Sox pounded the Rays 9-2 in a game David Price left after just 2 1/3 innings thanks to a triceps injury. The Blue Jays smashed the Giants 11-3. Zack Greinke's return to the Dodgers was a rousing success, as they beat the Nationals 3-1. The Royals rode a seven run third inning to a 9-5 win over the Angels.
Today's Games: Jon Niese and Adam Wainwright will duel in St Louis. Andy Pettitte looks to avoid another Yankee thumping at the hands of the Mariners. Francisco Liriano makes start numero dos for the Pirates, hosting the Brewers. Alex Cobb starts for the Rays against the Red Sox. Justin Verlander takes on Yu Darvish in Texas. YES PLEASE. Mat Latos and Jose Fernandez will battle in front of 23 paying spectators in Miami. Matt Cain takes on Jhoulys Chacin in (sigh) a battle for NL West supremacy in Denver. Stephen Strasburg returns to the city he played college ball in, as he'll face Edinson Volquez in San Diego.
National TV: Tigers-Rangers (8 PM, MLB Network), Giants-Rockies (8:30 PM, MLB Network [alternate])
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
