The Morning After: Recaps for the Weekend of May 20th

Indians 5, Reds 4. The Indians took the lead in the eighth on a risky play. With runners on first and third and two out Ezequiel Carrera laid down a drag bunt. He swerved to avoid the tag from Nick Masset, and I have to think he was at least close to running out of the baseline. But he did not, and Shin-Soo Choo scored. Also, that makes two RBI hit-by-pitches on Friday, as Choo got plunked in the sixth. Also notable about the sixth: Travis Wood did not allow a hit until that inning, but he made it only one out into the inning.

Indians 2, Reds 1. One inning contained all the offensive action here. The Reds scratched across a run on a ground out, but then the Indians answered when Travis Buck hit a two-run homer. Otherwise, it was all Josh Tomlin and Homer Bailey. Tomlin went seven, allowing just three hits and striking out three. Bailey also went seven, with four hits and four strikeouts.

Indians 12, Reds 4. Edinson Volquez stunk again, allowing seven hits and walking four through 2.2 innings. It’s hard to justify keeping him in the rotation at this point. Asdrubal Cabrera led the way for the Indians, going 5 for 5 with two homers and 5 RBI. Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo also had multi-hit games.

Also in this issue: Braves over Angels | Diamondbacks over Twins | Orioles over Nationals | Marlins over Rays | Red Sox over Cubs | Brewers over Rockies | White Sox over Dodgers | Phillies over Rangers | Pirates over Tigers | Cardinals over Royals | Mariners over Padres | Yankees over Mets | Giants over A’s | Astros over Blue Jays

Angels 9, Braves 0. The Angels broke through with a six-run third, which included a Mark Trumbo three-run shot. Ervin Santana went the distance, allowing just four hits and walking none while striking out seven. Tim Hudson couldn’t keep the ball on the ground.

Braves 5, Angels 4. Joe Mather put on a show in this one. In the seventh he swatted a three-run homer, which put the Braves on the board for the first time and turned a four-run game into a one-run game. They’d tie it later in the inning on a Brian McCann double. Then, in the 12th he doubled home the go-ahead run.

Angles 4, Braves 1. Torii Hunter’s two-run homer put the Angels up 2-1 in the fourth, while Tyler Chatwood pitched seven strong. The only run he allowed was to Joe Mather, which, after Saturday’s performance, is forgivable.


Diamondbacks 8, Twins 7. Stephen Drew started Arizona’s five-run seventh with a solo homer that tied the game. A double and two singles then gave them the lead, and Ryan Robert’s three-run double capped the comeback. The Twins made an effort to close the gap in the eighth, on a Jason Kubel triple, and the ninth, when they scored three. But the Diamondbacks picked up two insurance runs in the eighth and held on.

Diamondbacks 9, Twins 6. This was another heartbreaker for the Twins. They led 6-3 with just six outs to go, but they couldn’t record even three of them before chalking up six runs. Juan Miranda delivered a two-run double and then Kelly Johnson hit a grand slam to put the DBacks up for good. Matt Capps gave up both of the big hits (though he did inherit two runners).

Diamondbacks 3, Twins 2. Again, the Twins were close in this one. Delmon Young homered in the seventh to tie the game, but the DBacks scratched across a run in the bottom half to re-take the lead. Daniel Hudson allowed just two runs through eight innings of work, striking out six, while Francisco Liriano struck out four and walked four through six.


Nationals 17, Orioles 5. After having 13 dropped on them Thursday, the Orioles got bombed again on Friday. Danny Espinosa’s three-run shot in the second got things started, though the Orioles did tie it in the third. That wouldn’t last long, as the Nats got three in the fourth — including one on a hit-by-pitch — and then six in the fifth. Jayson Werth added two homers (and was the man hit by the run-scoring pitch).

Orioles 8, Nationals 3. A Brandon Snyder error cost the Orioles a pair of runs in the third, but they came back in the bottom half with a four-spot. Nolan Reimold — remember the name? — tied the game with a two-run homer, and then the Orioles manufactured another pair. In the seventh they produced a four-spot again, putting the game in the bag. All nine starters had at least one hit.

Orioles 2, Nationals 1. Vladimir Guerrero’s homer in the seventh gave the Orioles the only runs they’d get, and need, in the game. Other than that Jordan Zimmerman pitched well. Chris Tillman allowed just one run on the Orioles side, but he had to come out after five, because he had thrown 97 pitches.


Marlins 5, Rays 3. Both Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton homered in the fourth inning to give the Marlins a lead. The Rays would tie it up, but in the eighth the Marlins led off with a single and a Morrison double before taking the lead on a pair of sac flies. Anibal Sanchez had another quality outing for the Marlins, going seven while allowing three runs (6 K to 1 BB).

Marlins 5, Rays 3. Logan Morrison was again on his game, doubling home a pair in the first to give his team an early lead. The Marlins led 5-0 in the seventh inning of this one, though the Rays fought back for a few in the eighth. But it all came with two outs, and so they couldn’t get the five runs they needed. Javier Vazquez had his first good start of the year, shutting out the Rays through seven while striking out seven.

Rays 4, Marlins 0. James Shields is amid a drastic statistical correction from last year. Yesterday he pitched a complete game shutout, striking out 13 and allowing just three hits. Matt Joyce continued his breakout with an RBI double and a walk. He’s now at .355/.422/.617 on the season (.446 wOBA).


Red Sox 15, Cubs 5. This was the predictable result of Doug Davis starting against the Red Sox at Fenway. Not that Jon Lester was all that reat himself, allowing five run sin six innings. But the Red Sox struck big in the fourth, picking up four, including a Kevin Youkiis two-run homer. They also rallied for five off of Jeff Samardzija in the eighth for good measure.

Cubs 9, Red Sox 3. The Sox led 3-1 in the top of the eighth, but Matt Albers loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. he then walked in a run, and then gave up a go-ahead double. Jed Lowrie didn’t help matters by dropping a pop-up and then air-mailing the throw home. That set up another run-scoring double. As if that weren’t enough, the Cubs got another run when Darwin Barney flied out to right. Alfonso Soriano faked the tag-up, which drew the throw. Jason Varitek ran him back a bit, but decided to try and nab him with the throw. So of course it went into left field. Soriano scored easily, and another run scored when Carl Crawford threw home and no one caught the ball. That set up another RBI double, giving the Cubs eight runs in the frame.

Red Sox 5, Cubs 1. The Sox got a quality performance from Tim Wakefield, as he held the Cubs scoreless through six and only came out after they finally picked up a run in the seventh. Two sac flies, an RBI triple by Kevin Youkilis, and a Jarrod Saltalamacchia homer accounted for the Sox’s five.


Brewers 7, Rockies 6. There’s nothing quite like a walk-off homer in the 14th inning, especially after the away team scores in both the 13th and the 14th. Jason Hammel pitched 6.2 strong innings and added a two-run homer in the third. But in the eighth Casey McGehee led off with a game-tying homer, which sent this into a scoreless tizzy until the 13th. Seth Smith’s triple put the Rox ahead, but Yuniesky Betancourt answered in the bottom with a leadoff homer. The Rockies scored again in the 14th, but Prince Fielder hit a two-run shot to end the nonsense.

Brewers 3, Rockies 2. Shaun Marcum has been brilliant lately. On Saturday he spin eight innings of one-run ball, striking out eight. He has actually struck out eight in three of his last four, and four of his last six, starts. Jonathan Lucroy added a solo homer for the Brewers.

Brewers 3, Rockies 1. The Brewers, it appears, did not mind playing an NL team during interleague weekend. They completed the sweep on Sunday, getting a strong performance from Randy Wolf (7 IP, 1 R). Ubaldo Jimenez went the distance for the Rockies, but he walked five and struck out four. It’s a shame that one of the two hits he surrendered was a triple that resulted in two runs thanks to an error.


Dodgers 6, White Sox 4. If you haven’t heard the name Russ Mitchell — well, at least as a baseball player — don’t feel bad. But you should know it now, as his homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth off Sergio Santos tied the game and set up the extra innings win for the Dodgers. Thankfully for them they tacked on some after taking the lead in the 10th; the Sox picked up one of their own in the bottom half and threatened for more.

White Sox 9, Dodgers 2. The Sox left no room for a comeback in this one. The fourth inning is where they broke out. Alex Rios smacked a two-run homer to break a 1-1 tie. The Sox then loaded up the bases, and Alexei Ramirez delivered a two-run single. Paul Konerko picked up another two.

White Sox 8, Dodgers 3. Edwin Jackson wasn’t efficient, throwing 107 pitches and recording just 17 outs. But he struck out seven along the way and kept the Dodgers to just a run. The offense led the way, though, getting three hits and two runs from Juan Pierre, and four hits from Alexei Ramirez, including a homer. Adam Dunn walked thrice as well.


Phillies 3, Rangers 2. Ben Francisco’s two-run homer was the high WPA mark in this one. Raul Ibanez added another in the fourth. Roy Halladay was his typically brilliant self, going eight innings while striking out seven and allowing just one run. C.J Wilson struck out 10 and allowed just four hits; pity for him that those two homers were among them.

Phillies 2, Rangers 0. Ryan Howard struck first with a solo homer in the second. That was all Cliff Lee would need, as he went eight strong, striking out 10 in his first, and likely only, appearance against his former team. Colby Lewis pitched well enough, going 6.2 and allowing just those two runs, striking out six in the process.

Rangers 2, Phillies 0. Roy Oswalt didn’t have his strikeout thing going, as he fanned just three through seven. But he allowed only one run, which would have been great if the offense had done anything. Instead Matt Harrison pitched into the ninth and Neftali Feliz saved the game. Mitch Moreland broke the scoreless tie in the sixth with a double.


Pirates 10, Tigers 1. This game was tied at one heading into the sixth, but the Pirates opened the frame with a Lyle Overbay homer, and then loaded the bases with two outs. A pair of doubles followed, making the score 7-1. Neil Walker, who had the second double in the sequence, tacked on three with an eighth-inning homer off Jose Valverde.

Pirates 6, Tigers 2. The curse of the ground rule double. With runners on first and second, Garret Jones laced one into the right field corner, but it bounced up into the stands. While it was far from a guarantee that Jose Tabata would score, he might have. Neil Walker did knock him in with a sac fly to tie the game, and Lyle Overbay followed with a go-ahead sac fly. A three-run seventh would provide some decent insurance.

Tigers 2, Pirates 0. Rick Porcello saved the Tigers from a sweep in Pittsburgh, as he tossed eight innings of one-hit ball. Jhonny Peralta added a solo homer for the Tigers. The Pirates actually had the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth, but couldn’t bring them home.


Royals 3, Cardinals 0. It was a battle for the first six and a half, but in the bottom of the seventh the Royals broke through against Chris Carpenter. A single and then double set up the tie-breaking sac fly, but then the Royals went to work for more. Two singles, a walk, and another sac fly gave them two more runs. Jeff Francis pitched 7.2 in the game, and apparently only came out because Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday were due up.

Cardinals 3, Royals 0. Hats off to Nathan Adcock for pitching five scoreless innings in his first major league start. The bullpen couldn’t continue the shutout, though it’s tough to blame them. The big blow came on a Matt Holliday homer (with Albert Pujols on base). So yeah. It happens. Jake Westbrook took the first eight for the Cards, allowing just four hits along the way.

Cardinals 9, Royals 8. The Royals tied up the game in the bottom of the seventh on a Wilson Betemit single, and then battled into extras. Tim Collins walked in the go-ahead run, and then another. The second proved fatal, as the Royals picked up one in the bottom half. They had a runner on second with one out, too, but couldn’t bring him around to score. Tough loss for the Royals.


Mariners 4, Padres 1. The M’s struck for two in the second, on a Carlos Peguero triple followed by a Brendan Ryan single. They’d add two more, but Erik Bedard rendered that moot, tossing eight innings of shutout ball, including nine strikeouts. Mat Latos continues to pitch quite worse than he did last year.

Mariners 4, Padres 0. The Pads just didn’t stand a chance against Michael Pineda. He allowed just two hits and struck out nine through seven innings, while his team actually supported him with runs. Michael Wilson — I’m assuming unrelated to Jack and former Mariner Josh — came through with two RBI hits.

Mariners 6, Padres 1. Felix came back in a big way, striking out 13 Padres through eight innings. In fact, that might have been why he didn’t complete the game; it took him 113 pitches to record 24 outs. Carlos Paguero was in on the action again, smacking a two-run double in the third that gave the M’s a 3-1 lead. They outscored the Padres 14-2 in the series.


Mets 2, Yankees 1. After a few rough starts R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball were back against the Yankees Friday night. He struck out six of them in six innings, while allowing just one homer. Daniel Murphy’s sixth-inning hot was the difference. Justin Turner continued his hot-hitting ways with a game-tying double in the fourth.

Yankees 7, Mets 3. A.J. Burnett allowed two runs in the first, but allowed just one in the next 5.1 innings. The Yanks, meanwhile, put on that big home run show, getting big flies from Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, and Russell Martin. Martin’s tied the game, while Teixeira’s gave them the lead.

Yankees 9, Mets 3. The Mets took a 3-1 lead into the seventh, but would not escape with it. A single, walk, and hit by pitch loaded the bases for Derek Jeter, who singled up the middle to tie the game. A sac bunt from the guy who has 16 homers on the season, followed by an intentional walk re-loaded the bases, and Alex Rodriguez dinked one that allowed a run to score. Robinson Cano followed with an RBI single, and then Brett Gardner, batting for the second time in the inning, doubled home a pair. Chris Dickerson, in the lineup for the second straight day after getting beaned in the head on Wednesday, capped the rally with a two-RBI single.


Giants 2, A’s 1. Aubrey Huff delivered the walk-off hit in this one, breaking a 1-1 tie in the 10th. Ryan Vogelsong had another strong outing for San Fran, allowing just one run through six. Trevor Cahill did the same for the A’s. Both struck out six. Cahill also had the only run-scoring hit for the A’s, a ground ball double play in the fifth, though obviously he did not get an RBI for it.

Giants 3, A’s 0. It wasn’t quite the pitching matchup that it could have been. Tim Lincecum held up his end, allowing just three hits while striking out six in a complete game effort. Brett Anderson lasted only five, allowing a run in the first and six baserunners total. The Giants scored two of their three runs on outs.

Giants 5, A’s 4. The A’s got a wonderful performance from Gio Gonzalez, eight strikeouts and two runs through 6.2, but it wasn’t enough to fend off the Giants. The big blow came in the eighth, when Nate Schierholtz tied the game with a two-run shot off Grant Balfour. Emmanuel Burris won the game with an RBI single in the 11th.


Astros 5, Blue Jays 2. The Astros remained scoreless through seven, but in the eighth Hunter Pence struck a two-run double to tie it. Chris Johnson then put them ahead in the ninth with a two-run homer. Of course, this all spoils things for Jo Jo Reyes, who still doesn’t have a win since 2008.

Blue Jays 7, Astros 5. While Yunel Escobar‘s two-run shot in the seventh topped the WPA charts, the story of the game was Jose Bautista’s two homers. One was a three-run shot that got the Jays on the board in the sixth. The other was a solo shot to lead off the eighth, extending the lead to three.

Astros 3, Blue Jays 2. Hunter Pence’s two-run homer in the fifth proved to be the difference in this one. The Jays got homers from J.P. Arencibia and Juan Rivera. They loaded the bases in the ninth, too, but Aaron Hill grounded out to end the game.





Joe also writes about the Yankees at River Ave. Blues.

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
William
12 years ago

Granderson bunt, uhg.