The Dodgers are now 3-1 since calling Yasiel Puig up from AA Chattanooga. In those four games, Puig has three homers, including a grand slam last night that put them ahead of the Braves 5-0, which it would wind up being the final score. Puig has already been worth half a win above replacement this year, more than either Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp, let alone both combined. He still hasn't walked in his MLB career, but Puig is already providing a massive impact to the Dodgers in their attempt to turn their season around.
PIC OF THE DAY
David Ortiz stares down his walkoff homer while Mike Napoli celebrates the 6-3 Red Sox win. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: Athletics 5, White Sox 4. Talk about a back and forth game. Chicago jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but a Yoenis Cespedes solo homer and an Adam Rosales RBI double cut the lead to a run. The White Sox picked up another run in the fifth to make it 4-2, but Cespedes homered again in the sixth to cut the lead to one again. An inning later, Josh Reddick hit a solo homer to tie the game. The contest moved into extras, and Rosales once again struck, homering to put Oakland in front. Grant Balfour threw a scoreless tenth and that sealed the game for the A's.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Phil Hughes dominated the Mariners in a 6-1 Yankees win, allowing one unearned run over seven innings on three hits, walking two and striking out seven. Zack Greinke and Tim Hudson had a pitcher's duel until the game-breaking Puig grand slam, with Greinke allowing just four hits in seven shutout innings, walking three and striking out seven. Hudson was nearly as good, giving up one run on four hits, walking none and striking out five. Max Scherzer tore the Rays a new one in Tampa Bay's 5-2 win, allowing one run on four hits in seven innings, striking out nine and walking two.
Hitting Lines of the Night: Daniel Descalso led the Cardinals to a 12-8 win over the Diamondbacks, going 3/4 with two runs, two RBI, a walk, a double, and a homer. His teammates Matt Holliday and Matt Adams also played well, with Holliday going 2/3 with two runs, two RBI, a walk, and a homer, and Adams going 2/5 with three RBI, a double, and a homer. Yoenis Cespedes finished his game with the White Sox by going 2/4 with a pair of two solo homers. Jacoby Ellsbury helped the Red Sox to a 6-3 win over the Rangers, going 4/5 with two runs and two doubles. Yasiel Puig finished his night by going 2/4 with a homer and four RBI.
Other Games: The Orioles beat the Astros 3-1 behind JJ Hardy's four hits. The Phillies scored early and often, beating the Brewers 5-1. The Royals rallied late to beat the Twins 7-3. The Padres beat the Rockies 6-5 in 11 innings, despite a late Colorado rally. The Mets and Nationals were rained out.
What You Missed: I attempted to find some positives with the Houston Astros. It actually wasn't that hard. Ian looked at the complete sleaziness of MLB's deal with Tony Bosch. Amanda had a brief interview with Wade Boggs.
Today's Games: Francisco Liriano starts for the Pirates in Chicago against Travis Wood. Justin Verlander starts for the Tigers against the Indians. Gio Gonzalez and the Nationals host the Twins. Adam Wainwright starts for the Cardinals in Cincinnati against Mike Leake. Jose Fernandez takes on Matt Harvey at Citi Field. Jarrod Parker takes on Chris Sale on the South Side of Chicago. Cliff Lee starts for the Phillies in Milwaukee. James Shields and the Royals host the Astros. Matt Cain takes on Pat Corbin in Arizona. Hiroki Kuroda starts for the Yankees in Seattle. Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Dodgers host Paul Maholm and the Braves.
National TV: Cardinals-Reds (7 PM, MLB Network), Indians-Tigers (7 PM, MLB Network)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
