Cardinals 5, Astros 1
Bud Norris has had an excellent start to the season, but he got roughed up (5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) in this one. Pete Kozma came in for an injured Lance Berkman, and he doubled in his first career at-bat. Gotta love that, and it was essentially all Kyle Lohse (8 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) needed in this one.
Cubs 7, Marlins 5
Ryan Dempster has had a rough start to the season, and that continued today (5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K). Hanley Ramirez hit his third home run of the season, but the Cubs, with the help of Marlon Byrd and Reed Johnson, came storming back against Ricky Nolasco (6 IP, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K).
White Sox 1, Indians 0
Everyone was understandably curious how Jake Peavy would come back from his latest injury, but he was nothing short of spectacular in this one as he throws a complete game shutout, striking out 8 and walking none. Justin Masterson was nearly as good, but he allowed one run in 8 innings. Unfortunately for him and the Indians, Padre Peavy showed up.
Mets 3, Nationals 0
With apparently few people in the stands, Jonathon Niese put on a pitching clinic, going 7 without allowing a run, and Justin Turner provided the offense with a couple doubles. Tom Gorzelanny wasn’t quite as good, going 5.2 innings with 5 walks and 7 strikeouts. In something I would not have guessed, Ian Desmond stole his 14th base in this one, putting him just 2 back of Reyes for the major-league lead.
Red Sox 1, Tigers 0
Shut-outs were all the rage yesterday. Clay Buchholz goes 7 while striking out 7 and allowing only 4 hits. Phil Coke matched him step-for-step, but he was mysteriously pulled after only 78 pitches. Ryan Perry came in and retired the first two in the 8th before Daniel Schlereth walked Carl Crawford and allowed the decisive double to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Tough way to drop one.
Pirates 5, Reds 0
People keep doubting Charlie Morton, and he keeps trying to prove them wrong. He looked pretty awesome in this one, going the distance and doing an actual Roy Halladay impression (106 pitches). Bronson Arroyo was pretty good in this one as well until Andrew McCutchen hit a home run to make the lead 5-0 in the 7th.
Rays 6, Blue Jays 5
If you don’t know who Matt Joyce is, you really need to learn (.365/.434/.619). He hit his 7th home run of the season to back Jeremy Hellickson and the Rays’ bullpen. In other news, Corey Patterson had his 10th double and 3rd triple of the season as he continues to actually be valuable (.281/.316/.435).
Phillies 2, Rockies 1
This one didn’t involve a shut-out, but it might as well have. Jorge De La Rosa (8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K) and Cole Hamels (8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K) dueled, but a Jimmy Rollins sacrifice fly put the Phillies ahead in the 8th.
Rangers 5, Royals 4
Extra-innings games were also on the menu last night. This one included the much bally-hooed debut of Danny Duffy for the Royals, but he wasn’t very good (4 IP, 4 H, 6 BB, 4 K) as his control abandoned him. The Royals would use their entire bullpen in this one, and they did well until Jeremy Jeffress allowed a 2-run single to Beltre in the 11th. Neftali Feliz blew a save in this one, but Mark Lowe would clean it up at the end.
Yankees 4, Orioles 1
Bartolo Colon (8 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K) continues to deal as does Zach Britton (7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K), but a poorly-timed Mariano Rivera run allowed put this one into extra innings. 6 innings later, the game finally had its conclusion when Robinson Cano doubled in a couple in the 15th. 29 baserunners were left on base between the two teams in this one.
Twins 4, Athletics 3
Yet another one that went to extras, Carl Pavano had perhaps his best start of the year, and Brandon McCarthy went toe-to-toe with him for 7 innings. Brian Fuentes would lose the game when he gave a up a game-winning sac fly to, who else, Trevor Plouffe in the 10th.
D-Backs 5, Braves 4
This one also went to extras. Julio Teheran made his second career start, but it didn’t go any better than his debut as he couldn’t make it to the 5th. After the Braves took the lead in the top of the 11th, the D-Backs roared back against Craig Kimbrel, who blew his fourth save of the season.
Mariners 3, Angels 0
If someone knew there would be a shut-out in this one, most of the money would have gone on Jered Weaver (6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K), but it would be Jason Vargas (7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K) who looked like the superstar ace. Jack Cust would add a couple of RBI singles after Chone Figgins and Justin Smoak doubles to back Vargas.
Brewers 5, Padres 2
Yovani Gallardo finally looks like the Gallardo of old (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K), and Dustin Moseley (5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K) can’t keep pace. An uncharacteristic terrible inning from Luke Gregerson blows the game wide open in the 7th as the Brewers try to climb back in the NL Central race.
Giants 8, Dodgers 5
The Giants scored early, building a 4-0 lead off of Clayton Kershaw, but the Dodgers clawed back to tie the game at 5. Cody Ross, 2010 Playoff Hero, decided that this could not stand, and he redirected a Lance Cormier pitch out of the ballpark for a nice, game-winning 3-run homer that prevented yet another extra-inning game.
Tonight’s Games
Angels at Mariners 3:40 PM
Weird start time for this one, but it pits Dan Haren against Doug Fister. Haren is one of the game’s most underrated pitchers, and you should take the chance to see him any chance you get.
Tigers at Red Sox 7 PM
Justin Verlander vs. Josh Beckett in the marquee pitching match-up of the night.
Giants at Dodgers 10 PM
Chad Billingsley against Madison Bumgarner in the second-best pitching match-up of the night. Both are excellent young starters who should be good for years to come.
