By Peyton Wesner
American League
Yesterday's Scores
Kansas City 1, New York (AL) 14
Houston 3, Baltimore 4
Boston 2, Minnesota 7
Detroit 0, Oakland 4
Texas 10, Cleveland 8
Chicago (AL) 0, Toronto 6
Seattle 4, Tampa Bay 1
San Diego 3, Los Angeles (AL) 4 (Interleague)
Game of the Day
Hahn Stifles Detroit Offense
Honestly, the Oakland Athletics season in 2015 can only be described as absolutely awful, but today could be the spark to turn things around.
Going into this afternoon's game, everyone seemed to think that Athletics' starting pitcher Jesse Hahn would be the one with the tough task since he was facing one of the most potent offenses in Major League Baseball and the Tigers were coming off an eight run game the day before against Houston, but it turned out that the Detroit Tigers' offense was the one with the hard assignment.
The first five innings of the game was the exact definition of a pitchers' dual between Detroit starter Shane Greene and Jesse Hahn since both were dealing and Hahn had only faced two over the minimum going into the sixth while Greene had seen four. Unfortunately for one, both pitchers would not leave the sixth unscathed.
Jesse Hahn, who was due to face the nine, one, and two spots in the order, started off the inning with two quick outs as Dixon Machado grounded out while Anthony Gose struck out looking. Next up was Ian Kinsler and he was able to reach first on an error by Athletics' first baseman Mike Muncy. Was the former Virginia Tech Hokie out of his rhythm? No he was not as Hahn was able to get J.D. Martinez to fly out to center on a first pitch fastball for the third out
Shane Greene only wishes his sixth inning was as uneventful as his counterpart. The bottom of the sixth began with an infield single by Marcus Semien. One runner, that isn't that bad! The following batter was Josh Reddick and he shot a 1-0 Greene offering into right for a single that put runners on the corners. Okay, now the situation is looking bad!!! The former New York Yankee was able to get cleanup hitter Stephen Vogt to pop up on the infield for the first out of the inning while putting himself only a double play ball away from escaping. Shane Greene's first pitch to Billy Butler was his heater and the designated hitter hit the ball on the ground towards the third baseman-shortstop gap. Tigers' shortstop Machado raced it down and fired it over to Kinsler with the hope of getting the force out at second and possible two. SAFE! 1-0 A's on a Billy Butler infield single! The O.co Coliseum was rocking and the noise level intensified even more when Mike Muncy hit a double to score Reddick and increase the lead to 2-0. The following batter, Mark Canha, kept his at bat simple by hitting a sacrifice fly to center to score Billy Butler. Despite being down 3-0, Shane Greene was one out away from getting out of the horrific inning. Greene's first pitch to Sam Fuld was a changeup that was drilled to right for a double that scored Muncy. 4-0 Oakland! At this point, Tigers' manager Brad Ausmus had seen enough and he removed starter Shane Greene from the game for Blaine Hardy. Hardy would get Eric Sogard to line out to Machado to end the inning, but the damage was already done.
The top of the seventh started non-idealistically for Jesse Hahn as he walked former Athletic Yoenis Cespedes on four straight pitches. Would this be the inning that Hahn would struggle? Next up was outfielder Tyler Collins and he flew out to center for out number one. Next up was Nick Castellanos and Hahn was able to get him to line out to second base putting him one out away from escaping the inning with James McCann standing in his path. Hahn started McCann off with two fastballs taken for balls and was behind in the count 2-0, but then rebounded with two strikes evening the count to 2-2. The 2-2 offering was yet another fastball that McCann put on the ground to the shortstop Semien who flipped it to the second baseman Sogard for out number three. Twenty-one down, six to go.
The top of the eighth began with a strikeout...BUT the ball was a wild pitch by Hahn resulting in Hernan Perez to reach first safely. Would Hahn finally get finally scuffed up a bit? No he would not! The next batter was Machado and he was able to get him to groundout into a 4-6-3 double play to erase the runner on the basepaths. After an Anthony Gose single, the Oakland starter struck out Ian Kinsler swinging to send the Athletics to the bottom half ahead 4-0.
With ninety-nine pitches Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin decided to send Jesse Hahn back out to the mound with the chance to collect his first career complete game shutout. The first batter who stepped to the dish in the top of the ninth was J.D. Martinez and he went down looking on a 3-2 fastball for the twenty-fifth out of the game. Next up was the clean-up hitter Yoenis Cespedes. Hahn started Cespedes off with three fastballs that were looked at for strike on, swung at for strike two, and fouled off. The crowd was exploding looking for the punch-out of their former star. The offering from Hahn came into Cespedes and he hit it on the ground to the shortstop for out number twenty-six. ONE MORE! Tyler Collins was the Tigers' last hope and on the first pitch of the AB, he ripped a two-out single bringing up Nick Castellanos. Melvin decided to stay with his young pitcher to face the young third baseman. The first pitch from Hahn was a fastball that made Castellanos swing and miss. The following delivery was another fastball that was lined to right field where Josh Reddick ran in to catch the twenty-seventh out. Complete Game Shutout for Jesse Hahn!
Top Hitting Performers
1. Prince Fielder TEX
---3-5, HR (9), 3 RBI, & 3 runs scored
2. Chase Headley NYY
---3-4, HR (6), 3 RBI, & run scored
3. Brett Gardner NYY
---2-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, & 3 runs scored
4. Justin Smoak TOR
---2-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, & run scored
5. Elvis Andrus TEX
---2-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, & run scored
Top Pitching Performers
1. Jesse Hahn OAK
---(CG W, 2-4) 9.0 IP, 4 H, & 5 K
2. Drew Hutchison TOR
---(CG W, 4-1) 9.0 IP, & 8 K
3. Jered Weaver LAA
---(ND) 6.2 IP, 6 H, ER, & 7 K
Standings
AL East GB
1. Tampa Bay 24-22 --
2. New York 23-22 .5
3. Baltimore 20-22 2
4. Boston 21-24 2.5
5. Toronto 21-26 3.5
AL Central GB
1. Kansas City 28-16 --
2. Minnesota 26-18 2
3. Detroit 26-20 3
5. Cleveland 20-24 8
4. Chicago 19-23 8
AL West GB
1. Houston 29-17 --
2. Los Angeles 23-22 5.5
4. Texas 22-23 6.5
3. Seattle 21-23 7
5. Oakland 17-30 12.5
PW's Game to Watch
7:10 PM EST
22-23 Texas (2-2 W. Rodriguez)
20-24 Cleveland (5-1 D. Salazar)
If you are from the Dominican Republic or enjoy watching pitchers from the country, then this is your game to watch! Tomorrow night the Texas Rangers will have veteran Wandy Rodriguez on the hill while the Cleveland Indians will send young gun Danny Salazar out to continue his dominance. Both pitchers have faced the other's team this season and struggled greatly as Rodriguez went four and two/thirds innings and gave up five earned runs while Salazar also threw for only four and two/thirds innings and allowed five. Look for each pitcher to improve drastically in their second start against their opponent, but Salazar will have the tall task of facing a Rangers' lineup with three hitters (Prince Fielder, Adrian Beltre, and Elvis Andrus) that have demolished the ball in their last four games by combining for a .407 average (22-54), six homeruns, and nineteen runs batted in. Although, if anyone can silence the Texas' lineup, it is Salazar as he hurled six scoreless innings; in addition, to striking out eight in his last start in Chicago against the White Sox.
National League
Yesterday's Scores:
Colorado 5, Cincinnati 4
Philadelphia 3, New York (NL) 6
San Francisco 8, Milwaukee 4
Washington 2, Chicago (NL) 1
Arizona 2, St. Louis 3 (F/10)
Miami 2, Pittsburgh 4
Atlanta 3, Los Angeles (NL) 6
San Diego 3, Los Angeles (AL) 4 (Interleague)
Game of the Day
Jhonny Peralta Helps Cardinals Flys Past Arizona
The starting pitchers could not have been more different in style, but it turned out that neither Arizona's Chase Anderson nor St. Louis' Carlos Martinez performances would record a decision this afternoon.
The Cardinals wasted no time to start right where they left off the day before against the Kansas City Royals as Kolten Wong ripped a double to the gap on the third pitch of the game to set the table for the dangerous Matt Carpenter. Carpenter, who is notorious for working counts and causing opposing pitchers to make mistakes, initially got behind Anderson 0-2, but worked it to 1-2 and eventually singled to put runners on the corners. Although the situation implied he would be, Chase Anderson showed composure on the mound despite the predicament he was in and ended up tight-roping out of the bottom of the first only allowing one run by getting Matt Holliday to fly out, and Matt Adams and Jhonny Peralta to ground out into fielder choices. But after two very quiet innings for the Cardinals, the second year pitcher for Arizona found himself in more trouble.
The bottom of the fourth started with back-to-back singles off the bats of Matt Adams and Jhonny Peralta. So once again, there were two runners on and no outs...how would Anderson get out of this jam? Well, he started by getting Cardinals' All-Star Catcher Yadier Molina to ground into a 3-6-1 double play leaving Matt Adams at third as the only baserunner. Could the starter get out of this situation untouched rather than the first inning one? No he could not as Jason Heyward stepped in and slapped a 0-1 fastball to left field, scoring Adams and extending the St. Louis lead to two.
How was Carlos Martinez pitching while the Cardinals were scoring? Martinez was wheeling, dealing, and sitting down D-Back after D-Back. In fact, Martinez didn't allow a single base runner to reach third base in the seven innings he pitched. "Tsunami" was terrific on Memorial Day and struck out eight batters, but he would not get the win.
Kevin Siegrist replaced Carlos Martinez in the eighth inning, but he did not have his "stuff." Ender Inciarte singled to begin the Diamondbacks' eighth inning's meaning next up was the power-hitting Mark Trumbo.
The lefty started the former Los Angeles Angels' All-Star with a fastball taken for ball one. He followed up with another heater that was taken for a strike to even the count and then a changeup that made Trumbo swing and miss. The next pitch from Siegrist was a huge mistake...another fastball. CRACK! MARK TRUMBO WITH A TRUMBOMB TO TIE THE GAME! The Cardinals' faithful was absolutely stunned because Martinez's seven shutout innings were erased and Arizona had their best player steping into the batter's box, Paul Goldschmidt.
Goldy never received a legitimate chance to hit due to Siegrist walking him on five pitches. Now as the free pass to Goldschmidt could have been intentional, walking a .243 hitting David Peralta was not done with intention. After back-to-back walks, Cardinals' manager Mike Matheny had seen all he could stand and yanked Siegrist out of the game for Seth Maness.
Maness entered the game with what looked like an insurmountable duty of trying to keep Arizona from adding another run. Rookie Yasmany Tomas was the first batter for the ground-ball pitcher to face and he was able to get him to fly out for out number one. After a sacrifice bunt by Chris Owings to put both runners in scoing position, Seth Maness sat down Tuffy Gosewich on three pitches to get out of the jam and keep the game knotted at two.
After both teams went scoreless in their next batting opportunity, the St. Louis Cardinals were looking in the bottom of the ninth to send Cardinal Nation home happy. The bottom of the ninth started with back-to-back hits just like the first and fourth innings that produced runs earlier in the game. With runners on first and second, Arizona manager Chip Hale removed Enrique Burgos for J.C. Ramirez. Ramirez was set to face the heart of the Cardinals lineup and one mistake from him would end the ballgame. First to face Ramirez was Matt Carpenter and to most's surprise he struck him out swinging in a four pitch AB. One out! Next up was Matt Holliday and he was K'ed on three straight pitches! Two gone! Well, Matt Adams has supplied walk-off hits before, he will do it again, right? Rung up! Three outs! J.C. Ramirez had done the near impossible!
Cardinals' closer Trevor Rosenthal came back out to the mound for his second inning of work in the top of the tenth, and it was turbulent. Although Rosey started the tenth by getting Mark Trumbo to pop out on the infield for the first out, two hits by Goldschmidt and Tomas and a walk to Peralta loaded the bases for Chris Owings.
Rosenthal started Owings with a fastball that he fouled off for strike one and then followed up with another heater that made the shortstop swing and miss. What would be the next pitch? Fastball? Yes! But Owings fouled it off to stay alive in the count. The next was another fastball and the home plate umpire rang up Owings for out number two. Again, the fate of the game rested on the shoulders of Tuffy Gosewich and again he could not deliever. Missed opportunities were the story of the Diamondbacks' Monday afternoon.
In the bottom of the tenth, Ramirez came back out for his second inning of duty. Peralta was leading off for St. Louis and looking for a ball he could handle to get a runner on to begin the inning. The first pitch of the battle was a fastball fouled off by the All-Star shortstop. Ramirez's next offering was a fastball taken for a strike. Although Peralta was down in the count, he was definitely not out. The Arizona reliever went away from his fastball and threw a slider that was looked at for ball one. He followed the slider with another slider and since Peralta had already saw it once, he knew exactly how to put a swing on it. CRACK! "GET UP, GET UP BALL, GONE!"
Top Hitting Performers
1. Kris Davis MIL
---3-3, 2 HR (4,5), 2 RBI, & 3 runs scored
2. Nori Aoki SF
---4-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, SB, & 2 runs scored
3. Nolan Arenado COL
---3-4, HR (9), 3 RBI, & run scored
4. Marlon Byrd CIN
---2-4, HR (10), RBI, & 2 runs scored
5. Francisco Cervelli PIT
---2-2, HR (1), 3 RBI, & run scored
Top Pitching Performers
1. Carlos Martinez STL
---7.0 IP, 5 H, & 8 K
2. Williams Perez ATL
---(ND) 6.0 IP, 7 H, ER, & 7 K
3. Charlie Morton PIT
***Season Debut
---(W, 1-0) 7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, & 3 K
Standings
NL East GB
1. Washington 27-18 --
2. New York 25-21 2.5
3. Atlanta 22-22 4.5
4. Philadelphia 19-28 9
5. Miami 18-28 9.5
NL Central GB
1. St. Louis 29-16 --
2. Chicago 24-20 4.5
3. Pittsburgh 22-22 6.5
4. Cincinnati 18-26 10.5
5. Milwaukee 16-30 13.5
NL West GB
1. Los Angeles 27-17 --
2. San Francisco 26-20 2
3. Arizona 21-23 6
4. San Diego 21-25 7
5. Colorado 18-25 8.5
PW's Game to Watch
10:10 PM EST
22-22 Atlanta (4-1 Teheran)
at 27-17 Los Angeles (2-3 Kershaw)
If you are a baseball fan on the East Coast, this marque pitching matchup is worth staying up for. Despite Clayton Kershaw's early season struggles, one knows it is just a matter of time until we see Classic Kershaw. Interestingly enough, the 2014 National League MVP and Cy Young has lost just as many games as he did all of last season! While the best pitcher in the world is off to a rough start, his counterpart Atlanta's Julio Teheran is arguably off to his best two months to begin a campaign. In fact, if you take two poor starts away, one in Toronto where he went five innings while gave up five earned runs and another in Washington in which he allowed six earned in five innings, Teheran's earned run average is 2.46! Hitter-wise LA's National League Rookie of the Year candidate Joc Pederson is six for sixteen with two homeruns in his last four games as he has sustained his recent success through the month of May.
International League (AAA)
Yesterday's Games
Syracuse 2, Norfolk 7
Toledo 11, Louisville 2
Indianapolis 8, Buffalo 4
Rochester 4, Durham 5
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 2, Pawtucket 0
Columbus 6, Charlotte 8
Lehigh Valley at Gwinnett (Suspended in Bottom of Second)
Today's Headline
Toledo Demolishes Louisville
Top Hitting Performers
1. Chris Jones TOL
---3-4, HR (1), 5 RBI, & run scored
2. Steven Moya TOL
---4-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, & 3 runs scored
3. Jefry Marte TOL
---2-4, HR (5), 3 RBI, & 2 runs scored
4. Brent Morel IND
---4-5, 2B, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
5. Jesus Aguilar COL
---4-5, 2B, 2 RBI, & run scored
Top Pitching Performers
1. Jaron Long SWB
---(W, 3-3) 7.2 IP, 3 H, & 4 K
2. Thad Weber TOL
---(W, 4-3) 7.0 IP, 5 H, ER, & 5 K
3. Zach Davies NOR
---(W, 2-3) 4.1 IP, 4 H, ER, & 7 K
Standings
IL North GB
1. Rochester 25-20 --
2. Pawtucket 24-22 1.5
3. Buffalo 23-22 2
4. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 23-23 2.5
5. Lehigh Valley 18-27 7
6. Syracuse 17-27 7.5
IL South GB
1. Charlotte 25-19 --
2. Norfolk 24-21 1.5
3. Durham 25-22 1.5
4. Gwinnett 19-25 6
IL West GB
1. Indianapolis 26-19 --
2. Columbus 25-20 1
3. Louisville 22-23 4
4. Toledo 19-25 6.5
Pacific Coast League (AAA)
Yesterday's Scores
Colorado Springs 2, Las Vegas 9
Memphis 5, Fresno 1
Tacoma 5, Omaha 8
Reno 8, Iowa 3
Nashville 5, Sacramento 0
Oklahoma City 6, Salt Lake 1
Albuquerque at New Orleans (PPD)
El Paso at Round Rock (PPD)
Today's Headline
Seager Re-Discovers Double A Form
Top Hitting Performers
1. Corey Seager OKC
---2-4, HR (1, 2), 3 RBI, & 2 runs scored
2. Jamie Romak RENO
---2-4, HR (5), 4 RBI, & 2 runs scored
3. Cody Stanley MEM
---3-3, 2B, 3 RBI, & run scored
4. Brian Ward OKC
---2-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, & run scored
5. Johnny Monell LV
---2-3, 2B, & 4 RBI
Top Pitching Performers
1. Duane Below LV
---(CG W, 4-2) 9.0 IP, 7 H, ER & 2 K
2. Deck McGuire OKC
---(W, 1-0) 6.2 IP, 6 H, ER, & 6 K
3. Nick Greenwood MEM
---(W, 3-1) 5.0 IP, 5 H, ER, & K
Standings
PCL American Northern GB
1. Oklahoma City 30-13 --
2. Iowa 22-21 8
3. Omaha 22-23 9
4. Colorado Springs 16-26 13.5
PCL American Southern GB
1. Round Rock 27-15 --
2. New Orleans 20-21 6.5
3. Memphis 21-23 7
4. Nashville 17-27 11
PCL Pacific Northern GB
1. Fresno 25-18 --
2. Sacramento 21-24 5
3. Reno 20-24 5.5
4. Tacoma 18-27 8
PCL Pacific Southern GB
1. Las Vegas 27-17 --
2. El Paso 23-20 3.5
3. Salt Lake 21-23 6
4. Albuquerque 18-26 9
Eastern League (AA)
Yesterday's Games
Trenton 6, Erie 3
Altoona 9, New Hampshire 4
New Britain 2, Harrisburg 3
Akron 6, Binghamton 1
Reading 2, Portland 8
Bowie 1, Richmond 6
Today's Headline
Altoona's Gamache and Broxton Go 9-9 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs
Top Hitting Performers
1. Dan Gamache ALT
---5-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, & 3 runs scored
2. Keon Broxton ALT
---4-4, HR (2), 2B, 3 RBI, SB, & 2 runs scored
3. Carlos Asuaje PORT
---2-4, 2 HR (2, 3), 4 RBI, & 2 runs scored
4. Destin Hood AKR
---2-4, 2 HR (2, 3), 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
5. Jose Rosario TRN
---3-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Top Pitching Performers
1. Mike Augliera PORT
---(W, 2-7) 7.0 IP, 4 H, & 3 K
2. Cody Anderson AKR
---(W, 3-2) 6.0 IP, 4 H, & 4 K
3. Kyle Crick RICH
---(W, 1-1) 6.1 IP, 3 H, ER, & 2 K
Standings
EL Eastern GB
1. New Britain 28-15 --
2. Binghamton 24-20 4.5
3. Reading 23-20 5
4. Trenton 23-21 5.5
5. New Hampshire 22-22 6.5
6. Portland 19-26 10
EL Western GB
1. Altoona 25-17 --
2. Bowie 22-22 4
3. Harrisburg 20-23 5.5
4. Akron 20-24 6
5. Richmond 18-23 6.5
6. Erie 16-27 9.5
Southern League (AA)
Yesterday's Scores
Jackson 7, Pensacola 8
Birmingham 2, Biloxi 7 (F/5)
Tennessee 6, Montgomery 4 (F/8)
Mississippi 3, Jacksonville 5
Chattanooga at Mobile (PPD)
Today's Headline
Brewers Prospects Arcia & Taylor Show Glimpse of Future
Top Hitting Performers
1. Willson Contreras TEN
---3-4, HR (3), 2B, 3 RBI, & 2 runs scored
2. Cameron Seitzer MTG
---3-4, HR (2), 2B, RBI, & 2 runs scored
3. Jabari Blash JKN
---2-4, HR (7), RBI, SB, & 3 runs scored
4. Johnny Field MTG
---2-4, HR (7), 2B, 2 RBI, & run scored
5. Orlando Arcia BLX
---3-3, RBI, & 2 runs scored
Top Pitching Performers
1. Hobbs Johnson BLX
---(W, 3-1) 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, & 4 K
2. Felix Pena TEN
---(W, 4-2) 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, & 9 K
3. Blaine Howell PEN
---(W, 1-0) 2.0 IP, 2 H, & 2 K
Standings
SL North GB
1. Chattanooga 28-16 --
2. Tennessee 24-21 4.5
3. Birmingham 21-24 7.5
4. Montgomery 20-25 8.5
5. Jackson 19-24 8.5
SL South GB
1. Biloxi 27-18 --
2. Mississippi 24-20 2.5
3. Mobile 22-22 4.5
4. Pensacola 20-25 7
5. Jacksonville 17-27 9.5
Yesterday's Scores:
Midland 7, Corpus Christi 8 (F/10)
Arkansas 4, Springfield 2 (F/7) (G1)
Arkansas 4, Springfield 2 (F/7) (G2)
Frisco 8, San Antonio 0 (F/7 (G1)
Frisco 0, San Antonio 6 (F/7) (G2)
Tulsa at Northwest Arkansas (PPD)
Today's Headline
Arkansas Sweeps Double Header
Top Hitting Performers
1. Jaycob Brugman MID
---5-5, 2B, 2 RBI, SB & 2 runs scored
2. Jorge Alfaro FRI
---3-7, HR (3), 2B, 3 RBI, SB, & run scored
3. Alberth Martinez SA
---3-6, HR (4), 3B, RBI, & run scored
4. Brandon Meredith CC
---2-4, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
5. Eric Stamets ARK
---3-4, SB, & run scored
Top Pitching Performers
1. Tyler DeLoach ARK
---(CG W, 3-2) 7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 7 K
2. Justin Hancock SA
---(W, 4-1) 5.0 IP, 2 H, & 6 K
3. Ryan Butler SA
---(L, 0-2) 6.0 IP, 3 H, ER, & 3 K
Standings
TL North GB
1. Northwest Arkansas 29-13 --
2. Arkansas 24-19 5.5
3. Tulsa 19-22 9.5
4. Springfield 14-30 16
TL South GB
1. Corpus Christi 29-14 --
2. Midland 22-22 7.5
3. San Antonio 18-25 11
4. Frisco 17-27 12.5
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