Two games left, and the AL Wild Card race is still a mess. The Rays and Indians are currently on top with identical 90-70 records, while the Rangers are a game back at 89-71. So we could conceivably have this all wrapped up tomorrow…or we could go into Sunday with a three-way tie and chaos everywhere. Isn't chaos great?!
PIC OF THE DAY
Guess the Dodger! (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: Rangers 5, Angels 3. Texas kept themselves in the thick of the Wild Card race with this victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Orange County located in Southern California by the Pacific Ocean. A two-run single by hated former Ranger Josh Hamilton tied the game at three in the fifth, but the Rangers fought back in the seventh. Ian Kinsler walked to lead off the inning, moved up to second on an errant pickoff throw by JC Gutierrez, advanced to third on an Elvis Andrus bunt, and scored the go-ahead run on an Alex Rios single. Rios would steal second and score an insurance run on an AJ Pierzynski infield single, and the Texas bullpen recorded the final six outs of the game without flinching to close out the win.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Cliff Lee and Kris Medlen has an unreal pitchers duel in Atlanta's 1-0 win, as Lee allowed one run on three hits in eight innings, punching out a bakers dozen without a walk, while Medlen gave up just two hits in eight shutout innings, striking out seven and walking a pair. James Shields pitched the Royals past the White Sox 6-1, giving up one run on four hits in seven innings, walking one and punching out ten. AJ Burnett rolled over the Reds in a 4-1 Pirates victory, allowing one run on five hits in eight innings, striking out six and walking one. Lance Lynn pitched the Cardinals past the Cubs 7-0 to clinch the NL Central for St Louis, giving up four hits in six scoreless innings, striking out nine without a walk. The Dodgers crushed the Rockies 11-0, and Clayton Kershaw gave up four hits in six shutout frames, striking out eight without a walk.
Hitting Lines of the Night: San Francisco topped San Diego 7-3 thanks to Juan Perez going 3/4 with two runs, two RBI, a double, and a homer. In Boston's 12-3 win in Baltimore, Jonny Gomes went a homer, a walk, and three RBI, while David Ortiz went 2/5 with a homer, two runs, and three RBI. In Washington's 8-4 win over Arizona, Jayson Werth went 2/2 with two runs, three RBI, two walks, and a homer. Cleveland beat up Minnesota 12-6, and Jason Kipnis went 3/5 with two runs, two RBI, a double, and a triple. Drew Stubbs helped out by going 2/4 with three runs, two RBI, a walk, a stolen base, and a homer. In Tampa Bay's 6-3 loss in Toronto, Ben Zobrist went 3/3 with a walk and a solo homer.
Other Games: The Brewers beat the Mets 4-2. The Marlins edged the Tigers 3-2 in the first game of the post-Beinfest era. The Yankees beat the Astros 3-2 in Mariano Rivera's final career series. The A's beat the Mariners 8-2.
What You Missed: Eric Wedge is entering his final days as Mariners manager. Our Hall of Fame series concludes with Manny Ramirez. Our second to last pre-playoff post-mortem looks at the Royals. Amanda wrote about Mariano Rivera's amazing last night at Yankee Stadium. Ian broke down the possible choices to replace Bud Selig, realistic and un-realistic. The Braves wanted Sid Bream to throw out the first pitch before a possible playoff game with the Pirates. Brian Wilson went after Giants CEO Larry Baer on Thursday night, wanting his 2012 World Series ring.
Today's Games: Derek Holland and the Rangers host Garrett Richard and the Angels. Scott Kazmir starts for the Indians in Minnesota. Charlie Morton takes on Bronson Arroyo in Cincinnati. Chris Archer and JA Happ will square off in Toronto. Jarrod Parker starts for the A's in Seattle. Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals host the Cubs. Jon Lester and Wei-Yin Chen will tango in Baltimore. Yordano Ventura starts for the Royals in Chicago. Anibal Sanchez gets the nod for the Tigers in Miami. Andy Pettitte makes the last start of his career in Houston against a pitcher named…Clemens (Paul, not Roger). Zack Greinke and the Dodgers host the Rockies.
National TV: Indians-Twins (1 PM, Fox), Pirates-Reds (1 PM, Fox), Rays-Blue Jays (1 PM, Fox), Phillies-Braves (7 PM, MLB Network), Yankees-Astros (7 PM, MLB Network)
MLB.tv Free Game: EVERYTHING!
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Charlie Morton vs Bronson Arroyo (Pirates vs Reds, 1 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
