It’s obviously still early in the 2014 season. After all, we haven’t even finished one full weekend of play. But if you’re a Diamondbacks fan, you’re probably just a little concerned about your team. The club is 1-7 through eight games, and their one win was a one run victory over the Giants. In their eight games, the team has allowed seven or more runs five times, which has led to an MLB-worst 6.69 ERA. Offensively, Arizona is in the bottom third of the league with a .237/.289/.355 line. And with nine of their next 12 games against the Giants and Dodgers, six of which are away from Chase Field, things aren’t going to be getting any easier for Kirk Gibson’s bunch.
Game of the Day: Mets 6, Reds 3. Talk about a back and forth contest…Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead in the fifth after a solo homer by Ryan Ludwick off of Johnny Cueto, but the Mets quickly jumped in front in the sixth after a two-run homer by Curtis Granderson off of Johnny Cueto. But in the eighth, the Reds pulled back ahead because of a two-run Brandon Phillips homer. With Aroldis Chapman still on the DL, J.J. Hoover came in to close the game in the ninth, and ran into trouble. Hoover walked Juan Lagares to lead off the inning, allowed Anthony Recker to reach base on a botched sac bunt attempt, and walked Ruben Tejada to bring up the much-maligned Ike Davis. Davis proceeded to smash a walkoff grand slam to right field, dashing the Reds’ hopes of a win and giving Mets fans some rare hope.
Pitching Lines of the Day: Tyler Skaggs dominated the Astros in a 5-1 Angels win, allowing one unearned run on four hits in eight innings, walking one and punching out five. Felix Hernandez did Felix Hernandez things in Seattle’s 3-1 win in Oakland, giving up one run on six hits in 8 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out eight. Jose Fernandez shut down the Padres in a 5-0 Marlins victory, allowing three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames, walking a pair and striking out eight. The knuckler was working for R.A. Dickey in Toronto’s 4-0 win over the Yankees, as he gave up only five hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings, punching out six and walking one. And how about old man Bruce Chen, who allowed just an unearned run on six hits in Kansas City’s 4-3 win over the White Sox, striking out seven without a walk?
Hitting Lines of the Day: Nolan Arenado torched the Diamondbacks in Colorado’s 9-4 win, going 3/4 with a double, two homers, three runs, and three RBI. Torii Hunter helped the Tigers beat the Orioles 7-6 (despite some late game drama), going 2/4 with a double, a homer, a walk, and five RBI. Chase Utley powered the Phillies to a 2-0 win over the Cubs, collecting three hits in three at bats, while also doubling, homering, walking, and scoring twice. Josh Hamilton stayed hot for the Angels, going 3/5 with a homer and two runs scored. Khris Davis helped the Brewers to a 7-6, 11 inning win over the Red Sox, going 4/6 with a double, two runs, and an RBI.
Other Games: The Twins beat the Indians 7-3. The Giants pounded the Dodgers 7-2. The Braves outpaced the Nationals 6-2. The Cardinals rebounded to beat the Pirates 6-1. The Rays rallied to beat the Rangers 5-4.
Today’s Games: Ricky Nolasco and Justin Masterson will duel in Cleveland. C.C. Sabathia starts for the Yankees in Toronto. Chris Tillman starts for the Orioles in Detroit against Justin Verlander. Yovani Gallardo starts for the Brewers in Boston against Jon Lester. Adam Wainwright takes the hill for the Cardinals in Pittsburgh. Yu Darvish makes his season debut for the Rangers in Tampa against Alex Cobb. A.J. Burnett starts for the Phillies in Chicago. Chris Sale starts for the White Sox in Kansas City against Royals ace James Shields. Jered Weaver gets the nod for the Angels in Houston against Scott Feldman. Matt Cain and Zack Greinke will duel in Los Angeles.
National TV: Orioles-Tigers (1 PM, MLB Network), Yankees-Blue Jays (1 PM, MLB Network), Giants-Dodgers (8 PM, ESPN)
MLB.tv Free Game: Reds-Mets (1 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
