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Posted 7-19-08
Major League Baseball Game Capsules
National League Game Capsules
Final Score: Cincinnati 5, New York 2
Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Bronson Arroyo tossed eight solid innings and the Cincinnati Reds cooled off New York, 5-2, snapping the Mets' 10-game winning streak. Arroyo (8-7) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out four to collect his fourth straight victory. Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his 20th save. Jay Bruce finished 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored for Cincinnati, which has won eight of its last 12 outings. Brandon Phillips drove in two runs for the Reds. Carlos Beltran was 2-for-4 and knocked in a run for the Mets, whose 10-game winning streak was one shy of the franchise record and tied Minnesota (June 17-27) for the longest in the majors this year. John Maine (8-7) went just 4 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on five hits with five walks and five strikeouts to take the loss. Maine is 0-2 in his last four starts and has not made it through the fifth in three of those starts. Because of the loss, the Mets slipped a game behind Philadelphia for first place in the NL East. That's because the Phillies won at Florida, 4-2, Friday night.
Final Score: Philadelphia 4, Florida 2
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard continued to hit home runs in July, adding his ninth of the month as the Phillies started the second half on a good note, beating the Florida Marlins, 4-2. Geoff Jenkins added his eighth home run of the year and knocked in two runs while Chase Utley went 2-for-3 with an RBI to help the Phillies win for the fifth time in six games and move one game in front of the New York Mets in the NL East. Jamie Moyer (9-6) shined once again at Dolphin Stadium, throwing six strong innings on just two runs and four hits. He struck out three and walked one to improve his record to 10-0 lifetime against Florida in 10 starts, including three wins this year against the two-time World Series champs. Brad Lidge -- who received the loss for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star Game despite not having lost a game all season -- pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save. Ricky Nolasco (10-5) lost for the first time since June 5 and dropped a decision for the first time in three starts against the Phillies this season. He threw seven innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. The Marlins had won Nolasco's last seven starts, but the loss Friday drops the team 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia.
Final Score: Atlanta 7, Washington 6
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Brian McCann hit a bases-loaded double, while Brent Lillibridge went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in, as Atlanta held off Washington, 7-6, in the opener of a three-game set with the Nationals. Tim Hudson (10-7) gave up five runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 frames and picked up the win. He also struck out two and walked one for the Braves, who have won three in a row. Mark Kotsay and Kelly Johnson each drove in one run, while Mike Gonzalez got into, then out of a jam in the ninth to pick up his fourth save. Tim Redding (7-4) took the loss after allowing six runs on six hits in just four innings for the Nationals, who have lost three straight games. Paul Lo Duca finished with two RBI, while Ryan Langerhans went 2-for-4 with a triple and RBI.
Final Score: Houston 2, Chicago 1
Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Miguel Tejada and Hunter Pence had back-to-back doubles in the ninth, allowing the Houston Astros to edge the Chicago Cubs, 2-1, in the opener of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park. Pence and Tejada had three hits each while Carlos Lee tied the game with a solo home run in the seventh for Houston, which has won three straight. Geoff Geary (2-1) tossed two perfect innings of relief to earn the win. Jim Edmonds provided the lone run for Chicago with a home run in the fifth as the Cubs dropped their second straight game. Bob Howry (3-3) who came in to finish off the eighth, allowed a lead-off ground-rule double to Tejada in the ninth and Pence ripped a double to center field plating the winning run. Brian Moehler kept the Astros in the game with seven superb innings of one-run ball on four hits and a walk in taking the no-decision. Ted Lilly equaled Moehler's effort for Chicago with seven frames of one-run ball on six hits and two walks. Lilly fanned six but suffered the same fate as Moehler in the no- decision.
Final Score: St. Louis 11, San Diego 7
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Yadier Molina broke a tie with a two-run single in the eighth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres, 11-7, extending Greg Maddux's winless streak to 13 starts. Rick Ankiel was 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, while Albert Pujols went 3-for-4 with two runs scored as five Cardinals had multi-hit games. That included Ryan Ludwick, who also homered as part of the 17-hit attack. Maddux, who allowed eight hits and six runs over four innings, has lost his last five decisions going back to May 16. The 13 straight starts without a win for the four-time Cy Young Award winner ties a career high, also accomplished during the 1990 season. Kyle McClellan (2-4) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief as St. Louis won its third consecutive game. Braden Looper allowed six runs on eight hits while striking out two over three-plus innings for the Cardinals. After his rocky start, five St. Louis relievers combined to hold the Padres to one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in the final six innings. Heath Bell (6-4) was rocked for four runs on four hits and two walks in just one inning of relief while the rest of the San Diego bullpen allowed just one run on five hits and three walks. Jody Gerut belted a two-run homer and Khalil Greene added a solo shot for the Padres, who have lost four in a row and seven of their last nine.
Final Score: Colorado 5, Pittsburgh 2
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Matt Holliday hit a two-run home run in the first and the Colorado Rockies never trailed in a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second installment of a four-game series at Coors Field. Brad Hawpe cranked a solo shot and Seth Smith had an inside-the-park home run. Willy Taveras tripled, scored twice and stole two bases for Colorado, which has taken the first two games of the series. Glendon Rusch (3-3) picked up the win, allowing just two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 frames. The southpaw struck out one batter and did not allow a walk. Ian Snell (3-8) extended a personal winless skid to five consecutive starts, surrendering four runs - three earned - on six hits and three walks while fanning five. Jose Bautista hit a solo home run while Jason Bay had the other RBI for Pittsburgh, which has dropped four of its last five.
Final Score: Los Angeles 8, Arizona 7 (11 innings)
Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - James Loney belted the winning homer in the 11th inning, and Nomar Garciaparra smacked two balls over the fence and drove in three runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks, 8-7, moving into a tie with Arizona atop the NL West. Matt Kemp also homered for the Dodgers, who began the post All-Star break with their second consecutive win. Blake DeWitt came up with a spectacular game- saving stop at third base to force extra innings, and the Dodgers, despite a 47-49 record, are deadlocked atop the division. Cory Wade (1-1) pitched the 10th inning and Jonathan Broxton fanned the final two batters in a perfect bottom of the 11th to notch his first save. Broxton has been inserted as the closer for LA while Takashi Saito remains sidelined for approximately six weeks with a sprained ligament in his right elbow. Conor Jackson and Orlando Hudson each had three hits and scored twice for the Diamondbacks, who have dropped three of their last four games. They have also lost five of their last seven home games. Arizona had 15 hits, but went just 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base.
Final Score: Milwaukee 9, San Francisco 1
San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - C.C. Sabathia pitched his second consecutive dominating complete game effort, as the Milwaukee Brewers downed the San Francisco Giants, 9-1, in the opener of a three-game set at AT&T Park. Sabathia (9-8) allowed only the one run on four hits without walking a batter. He fanned 10, doubled and scored a run. This after he went the distance in the Brewers last game before the break helping his cause at the plate with a home run. Prince Fielder and Mike Cameron both hit three-run homers while J.J. Hardy drove in two runs for Milwaukee, which owns a modest two-game winning streak. Matt Cain (5-8) took the loss, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and five walks in six plus innings. The right-hander struck out five for San Francisco, which has lost seven of its last eight overall. Aaron Rowand hit a solo home run in the eighth, one of only four hits for the Giants.
American League Game Capsules
Final Score: New York 7, Oakland 1
Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez both homered as New York downed Oakland, 7-1, in the opener of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. Cano was 2-for-4 with a three-run shot for the Yankees. who had dropped three of four entering the All-Star break. Rodriguez finished 3- for-4 with a solo shot and two RBI. Richie Sexson was 1-for-3 and drove in a run during his New York debut. The slugger, who was released by the Seattle Mariners last week, was officially signed by the Yankees earlier in the day and paid immediate dividends with a run-scoring single in the first inning. Mike Mussina (12-6) allowed just one run on nine hits in six innings on the hill to earn the win. David Robertson, Edwar Ramirez and LaTroy Hawkins finished things with an inning of perfect relief apiece. Yankees pitching ended the game with 14 consecutive outs. Ryan Sweeney was 1- for-4 with the only RBI for the Athletics, who have dropped three straight. Kurt Suzuki finished 2-for-4. Greg Smith (5-8) was touched for six runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings en route to the loss. He walked five while striking out only one.
Final Score: Baltimore 7, Detroit 4
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Luke Scott belted two of Baltimore's four home runs in a 7-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the second matchup of a four-game set at Camden Yards. In his first career outing against the Tigers, Jeremy Guthrie (6-7) scattered 12 hits and two walks across six-plus innings to give up four runs while striking out five for Baltimore, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Scott was 2-for-4 with three RBI while Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora also went deep for the O's. George Sherrill, who had blown three of his last five save opportunities entering the game, picked up his 29th save, second-best in the American League behind the Angels' Francisco Rodriguez. Armando Galarraga (7-4) went 6 2/3 innings allowing five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits while striking out six for the Tigers, who have lost four of their last six. Ivan Rodriguez's 4-for-4 night included a home run while Curtis Granderson was 2-for-4 with an RBI double.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 2, Toronto 1
St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Ben Zobrist clubbed the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning, and Tampa Bay snapped a season-long seven-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays (56-39), who have been a huge surprise this season, moved back into first place in the AL East, a half-game ahead of Boston. They improved to a stellar 37-14 as the host and have won 16 of their last 20 at Tropicana Field. James Shields (8-6) allowed four hits, including a third-inning homer from Adam Lind, over seven innings to win for the fourth time in five starts. J.P. Howell threw two-thirds of an inning. Grant Balfour escaped a jam in the eighth and struck out three batters, nailing down his fourth save of the year. Shields is 6-1 at home this year and 4-0 lifetime against the Blue Jays. A.J. Burnett (10-9) pitched well in defeat, giving up five hits, to go with three walks and six strikeouts in seven innings.
Final Score: Minnesota 6, Texas 0
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Glen Perkins was brilliant on the mound to win his fifth straight decision, and Delmon Young went 4-for-4, as the Minnesota Twins crushed the Texas Rangers, 6-0, in the opener of a three-game set from the Metrodome. Jason Kubel and Brian Buscher each had two hits and two runs driven in for the Twins, who have won four of five overall. Perkins (7-2) lasted six frames and yielded just three hits. Craig Breslow, Jesse Crain and Boof Bonser each threw a perfect inning of relief. Michael Young went 1-for-3 to extend his hit streak to 16 games for the Rangers, who were shut out for the first time all season and have now alternated wins and losses for the past six games. Ian Kinsler went 0-for-4, snapping his hit streak at 25 games, which is three short of the franchise record set by Gabe Kapler in 2000. Josh Hamilton, who hit 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday, went hitless in four at-bats. Kevin Millwood (6-6) took the loss as he was touched for five runs on 11 hits while striking out six and walking only one over 6 1/3 innings.
Final Score: Chicago 9, Kansas City 5
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - It seemed like they swung at every pitch, but Chicago's first eight batters of the game reached base en route to scoring six first-inning runs, as the White Sox dominated the Kansas City Royals, 9-5. Five of the first six -- including the first four -- reached base on the first pitch of their respective at-bats. The White Sox led 4-1 by the time they had seen seven pitches and had six first-pitch hits in the first two innings. Jermaine Dye went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Carlos Quentin added his 23rd home run of the season -- tying Grady Sizemore for the American League lead -- to give the AL Central leaders their sixth win in nine games. Mark Buehrle (7-8) had a solid outing, throwing seven innings and allowing four runs -- three earned -- and four hits while striking out three and walking two. The southpaw got his first win in July after going 4-0 in June. For all the success Zack Greinke (7-6) has had this year, he has really struggled at U.S. Cellular Field. He pitched only three-plus innings, giving up seven runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and three walks. In his two road starts this year against Chicago, he has thrown a total of nine innings, giving up 15 runs on 20 hits. Billy Butler, replacing Jose Guillen who sat out with back spasms, hit a three-run homer and had four RBI, as the Royals lost for the seventh time in 11 games.
Final Score: LA Angels of Anaheim 11, Boston 3
Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - John Lackey was solid in seven innings and Garret Anderson went 4-for-4 with five runs driven in, as the LA Angels of Anaheim crushed the Boston Red Sox, 11-3, in the opener of a three-game set. Lackey (7-2) allowed just three runs on five hits while walking two. Lackey also fanned six batters, giving him 1,004 K's for his career. Maicer Izturis and Howie Kendrick each recorded two RBI for the Angels, who have won three in a row. Vladimir Guerrero also added an RBI in the win. Clay Buchholz (2-5) took the loss as he surrendered eight runs -- four earned -- on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run home run and Manny Ramirez had a solo shot for the Red Sox, who are 5-2 over their last seven contests and have dropped 8- of-10 road games to fall a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the top spot in the AL East.
Final Score: Seattle 8, Cleveland 2
Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Raul Ibanez hit a grand slam as part of a three-hit night and Felix Hernandez tossed six solid innings, as Seattle routed Cleveland, 8-2, in the opener of a three-game set with the Indians. Hernandez (7-6) gave up just two runs on four hits and a pair of walks, and struck out eight to help the Mariners win their second straight. The right- hander earned his first win since June 17. Jose Lopez added a three-run homer, while Adrian Beltre went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks. Aaron Laffey (5-6) was touched for eight runs -- just three earned -- on nine hits in 3 2/3 frames to absorb the loss. It was Laffey's shortest outing of the season for Cleveland, which took a four-game winning streak into the All- Star break. Casey Blake hit a solo homer and drove in both runs for the Indians, while Andy Marte and Asdrubal Cabrera each had a hit and a walk. |
