MLB Day 85 2012

Small amount of travel as the teams return to their respective leagues for the rest of the season. We begin with a regional battle that's been put on hold lately...

As the Philadelphia Phillies host their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jeff Karstens and Joe Blanton are the serviceable starters. Philadelphia rallied ahead in the first inning on a Hunter Pence single to drive in Himmy Rollins, before Carlos Ruiz singled, which combined with an error to get Pence home, and Shane Victorino singled in Ruiz, and finally he came on a Placido Polanco single combined with an error. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third inning with a Jose Tabata solo home run. The Phillies shot back in their half of the inning as Polanco singled home Ruiz. The Pirates got another in the fourth inning on a Clint Barmes single, knocking in Neil Walker. Philadelphia answered in their half of the fourth on a two-run Rollins long ball, also scoring Mike Fontenot. Pittsburgh replied in the fifth inning as Andrew McCutchen single Tabata across the plate. The Phillies replied in the seventh inning on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Ty Wigginton, forcing in Ruiz. This made it 8-3, a final, with Blanton grabbing the win and Karstens suffering the loss.

Into New York, as the Yankees host the Cleveland Indians. Josh Tomlin and Hiroki Kuroda will draw the starts. New York was first to score with a first inning Robinson Cano double, knocking in both Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira. The Yankees added on in the second inning with a two-run home run by Dewayne Wise, also scoring Eric Chavez. New York struck again in the third inning with a pair of solo shots from Cano and Nick Swisher. The Yankees got another in the sixth inning as Wise tripled to force in Chavez. Cleveland avoided the shutout in the eighth inning on a Jason Kipnis sacrifice fly to bring in Lonnie Chisenhall. This made it 7-1, a final, with the win belonging to Kuroda and the loss to Tomlin.

Up in Boston, the Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays. Henderson Alvarez and Felix Doubront are the surprisingly reliable starters. Toronto was first on the board with a first inning rally including a two-run Colby Rasmus home run, also scoring Brett Lawrie, followed by Edwin Encarnacion doubling in Jose Bautista and Rajai Davis getting Encarnacion home with a fielder's choice. Boston answered in the bottom of the first as David Ortiz hit a two-run homer, sweeping in Dustin Pedroia. The Blue Jays shot back in the second inning as Rasmus singled Ben Francisco across the dish. The Red Sox pulled back in the third inning as Jarrod Saltalamacchia reached on an error to give Pedroia time to score and Adrian Gonzalez singled to drive in Ortiz. Boston tied it in the fourth inning when Ryan Kalish singled in Cody Ross. Toronto took the lead back in the sixth inning as J.P. Arencibia hit a two-run home run, also scoring Francisco. The Blue Jays padded the lead with a seventh inning Jose Bautista two-run long ball, sweeping home Rasmus. The Red Sox got one back in the eighth inning as Ortiz lifted a solo home run. They got not closer, falling 9-6. Alvarez picked up the win, Casey Janssen shut the door for a save, and Doubront was dealt the loss.

Westward to Ohio, as the Cincinnati Reds host the Milwaukee Brewers. Yovani Gallardo and Mat Latos are the promising young pitchers. Cincinnati began with a fourth inning double from Jay Bruce, plating both Drew Stubbs and Joey Votto. Milwaukee got on the board with a sixth inning solo home run from Norichika Aoki. The Reds shot back in the eighth inning when Brandon Phillips doubled to drive in Stubbs. There was no more scoring, leaving the final at 3-1. Latos went the distance for the win, while Gallardo was less fortunate in the loss.

Down in Miami, the Marlins host the St. Louis Cardinals. Jake Westbrook opposes Ricky Nolasco in pitching. Miami struck first with a third inning Jose Reyes double to bring home John Buck. The Marlins got another in the fifth inning as Reyes singled in Buck. St. Louis got on the board in the seventh inning as David Freese scored on a wild pitch. Miami answered in their half of the seventh as Hanley Ramirez drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Scott Cousins, followed by Giancarlo Stanton doing the same for Buck, Logan Morrison grounding into a fielder's choice to bring in Reyes, and Greg Dobbs singling Ramirez the rest of the way home. The Cardinals got one back in the eighth inning as Freese reached on an error, allowing Carlos Beltran to dash home. St. Louis rallied to tie in the ninth inning with Beltran singling in Rafael Furcal, Allen Craig hitting a sacrifice fly that gave time for Matt Holliday to score, and Yadier Molina providing the tying run with a two-run home run to finish Beltran's trip around. The Cardinals got the lead in the tenth inning as Furcal doubled to score Tyler Greene, followed by Joe Kelly singling to finish Furcal's trip around. The Marlins shot back in the bottom of the tenth as Buck singled in Omar Infante, but they didn't retie it and fell 8-7. Victor Marte was in line for the win, Jason Motte got his fifteenth save of the season, and Chad Gaudin was on the hook for the loss.

Westward to Houston, as the Astros host the San Diego Padres. Ross Ohlendorf and Wandy Rodriguez man the mound. Houston quickly got a lead with solo home runs in the first inning from Brian Bixler and Carlos Lee. San Diego shot back in the second inning as Everth Cabrera reached on a bunt single that gave time for Jesus Guzman to score, followed by Nick Hundley doubling in both Logan Forsythe and Cabrera before scoring himself on a Chris Denorfia single. The Astros replied in the bottom of the second on a J.D. Martinez single to knock in Jason Castro. The Padres answered in the third inning on a Forsythe single to bring around Carlos Quentin. Houston shot back in the fourth inning to tie it up as Chris Johnson singled to plate Bixler and Martinez drew a walk with the bases loaded that forced in Brian Bogusevic. The Astros took the lead in the fifth inning as Jed Lowrie doubled to score Bixler. San Diego edged ahead in the eighth inning on a two-run home run by Guzman, sweeping in Cameron Maybin. Houston retied it in the bottom of the eighth on a Castro solo home run. The Padres took the lead again in the tenth inning as Quentin doubled to plate Chase Headley. This held up for an 8-7 win, picked up by Dale Thayer, while Huston Street turned the save and Brandon Lyon was given the loss.

Staying in the state, the Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers. Rick Porcello and Justin Grimm are the little-known starters. For a more detailed recap, go to ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the featured Game of the Day. Detroit established an early lead with a first inning rally, sparked by Miguel Cabrera doubling in both Quintin Berry and Austin Jackson before finishing his trip on a Delmon Young single, followed by Jhonny Peralta doubling Young home and Peralta scoring on a Ramon Santiago single, good for a five run rally. The Tigers added on in the second inning as Prince Fielder hit a sacrifice fly to get Berry home. Detroit struck again in the fifth inning when Jhonny Peralta grounded out, giving time for Fielder to come home. The Tigers padded the lead in the sixth inning on a Miguel Cabrera double, driving in Jackson. Texas got on the board in the seventh inning with a two-run Josh Hamilton home run, also scoring Leonys Martin. This was as close as it got, with the final being 8-2. Porcello notched the win while Grimm was shelled in the loss.

Up to Chicago, as the Cubs host the New York Mets. Johan Santana faces a lesser foe in Travis Wood. Chicago found the scoreboard in the fourth inning with a two-run home run by Joe Mather, also scoring Geovany Soto. The Cubs rallied to extend the lead in the seventh inning as Darwin Barney reached on an error to bring in Adrian Cardenas, followed by Starlin Castro doing the same to get Barney home, and then Jeff Baker singled Castro home and Soto grounded out to bring in Alfonso Soriano. New York avoided the shutout in the ninth inning as Ike Davis hit a solo home run for a 6-1 final. Wood was given the win while Santana was handed the loss.

Down into Missouri, where the Kansas City Royals host the Tampa Bay Rays. Alex Cobb and Luke Hochevar are given the green light to pitch. Kansas City opened with a first inning Mike Moustakas double to knock in Alex Gordon. The Royals rallied in the third inning on a Yuniesky Betancourt single scoring both Alcides Escobar and Gordon, followed by Jeff Francoeur singling Betancourt the rest of the way home, and he scored when Eric Hosmer hit a single, with the rally closing as Hosmer scored on a Salvador Perez single. Kansas City added on in the fourth inning as Betancourt hit a sacrifice fly to plate Escobar. The Rays made it 8-0 in the eighth inning with a Hosmer solo home run. This was a final, with Hochevar going the distance for a seven hit and one walk complete game shutout, while Cobb also went the distance in the loss.

North into Minnesota, as the Twins host the Chicago White Sox. Jake Peavy and Francisco Liriano are the well-known starters. Minnesota started with a first inning sacrifice fly by Joe Mauer to knock in Denard Span. The Twins added on in the second inning with a Brian Dozier singled, combined with an error to get Trevor Plouffe safely home, before he came home on a Jamey Carroll single. Chicago got on the board in the seventh inning with an Alexei Ramirez sacrifice fly to get Alex Rios home. Minnesota shot back in the bottom of the seventh on a Plouffe sacrifice fly, allowing Mauer to dash home. This was good for a 4-1 win, earned by Liriano, while Jared Burton shut the door for a save and Peavy was stuck holding the loss.

Westward to Colorado, where the Rockies host the Washington Nationals. Stephen Strasburg takes the hill against Jeff Francis. Washington began in the third inning as Ryan Zimmerman doubled in Jesus Flores. Colorado answered in the bottom of the third with a Dexter Fowler single that plated Willin Rosario. The Nationals replied in the fifth inning as Strasburg doubled to score Flores. The Rockies got the lead back in the sixth inning as Carlos Gonzalez singled in Fowler, followed by a Todd Helton sacrifice fly to drive in Chris Nelson. Colorado extended the lead in the seventh inning on a Nelson single, finishing Eric Young's trip around. This was good for a 4-2 win, earned by Josh Roenicke, while Rafael Betancourt got the save and Strasburg was dealt the loss.

Northwest to Seattle, as the Mariners host the Oakland Athletics. Tommy Milone and Erasmo Ramirez are the relatively unknown starters. Oakland led off in the second inning with a Seth Smith solo shot. This was the only run, setting Milone up for the win, Ryan Cook for the save, and Ramirez was strong but had no help in the loss.

Finally, we end in San Francisco as the Giants host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nathan Eovaldi and Barry Zito pace the game. San Francisco busted things open in the first inning as Angel Pagan doubled Ryan Theriot home, followed by Pablo Sandoval's 2-RBI double, scoring both Melky Cabrera and Pagan, and Sandoval scored on a Hector Sanchez single. The Giants added on in the second inning with Cabrera singling in Zito, Pagan doing the same for Theriot, and Sandoval hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in Cabrera. San Francisco got another in the fifth inning when Sanchez doubled Sandoval across the dish. This stood for an 8-0 win, with Zito pitching well in the victory while Eovaldi was knocked around in the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @UltBaseballTrip and check out ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the adventure of a lifetime, down in the Lone Star State.

Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 12 2012

1. Will Middlebrooks
2. Mike Trout
3. Jason Heyward
4. Aaron Hill
5. Justin Upton
6. Jason Kubel
7. Jose Bautista
8. Paul Goldschmidt
9. Jimmy Rollins
10. Andrew McCutchen

And the pitchers...

1.Wade Miley
2. Justin Masterson
3. Tyler Clippard
4. Jason Hammel
5. Charlie Furbush
6. Johnny Cueto
7. Zack Greinke
8. Justin Verlander
9. Cole Hamels
10. Brandon McCarthy

MLB Day 84 2012

Full slate plus one as our first pair of teams play a doubleheader to make up a missed game in...

Philadelphia, with the Phillies hosting the Tampa Bay Rays for a doubleheader. Aces David Price and Cole Hamels take the first game. Philadelphia opened the scoring with a sixth inning Jimmy Rollins solo home run. Tampa Bay got on the board in the eighth inning as Carlos Pena hit a three-run home run, sweeping in Elliot Johnson and B.J. Upton. The Phillies answered in the bottom of the eighth as Ty Wigginton singled home Hunter Pence. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 3-2, with the win belonging to Price, the save turned by Fernando Rodney, and the loss pinned on Antonio Bastardo.

In game two, the pitchers are Cesar Ramos and the inexplicably winless Cliff Lee. Tampa Bay got things going in the second inning with a Sean Rodriguez double to drive in Jeff Keppinger, followed by Brooks Conrad hitting a 2-RBI double to plate Ben Zobrist and Rodriguez. Philadelphia got some back in the fourth inning as Placido Polanco doubled in Hunter Pence before coming home on a John Mayberry single. The Rays answered in the sixth inning as Conrad doubled home Zobrist and Rodriguez again. The Phillies responded in their half of the sixth when Polanco doubled to score Pence. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the eighth inning as Jose Lobaton drew a bases-loaded walk to force home B.J. Upton, followed by Brandon Gomes doing the same for Zobrist. This made it 7-3 in the end, with the win going to Gomes and the loss to Lee.

Westward into Cincinnati, as the Reds host the Minnesota Twins. Scott Diamond and Mike Leake will be sent out to start. For a more detailed recap, visit ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the Game of the Day. Cincinnati was first on the board in the third inning with a Wilson Valdez single to drive in Devin Mesoraco. Minnesota tied it in the fifth inning with a solo home run by Trevor Plouffe. The Twins took the lead in the seventh inning on a Justin Morneau groundout, bringing in Joe Mauer. The Reds replied in the eighth inning with a Joey Votto two-run home run, also scoring Valdez. Minnesota shot back in the ninth inning as Josh Willingham hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Denard Span. This made it 4-3, a final, with the win going to Diamond, while Jared Burton got a spot save and Aroldis Chapman was on the hook for the loss.

Down in Miami, the Marlins host the Toronto Blue Jays. Jesse Chavez and Mark Buehrle will be responsible for pitching. Miami began in the second inning as Scott Cousins singled in Greg Dobbs before coming home alongside Omar Infante when John Buck hit a three-run home run. The Marlins got some more in the sixth inning on a two-run home run from Dobbs, sweeping in Logan Morrison. Miami struck again in the seventh inning as Hanley Ramirez tripled to force in Austin Kearns and Jose Reyes, before coming home on a Morrison sacrifice fly. This produced a final of 9-0, with Buehrle pitching well in the win while Chavez had no support in the loss.

To the north again, the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Detroit Tigers. Justin Verlander faces a lesser foe in Kevin Correia. Detroit wasted little time in scoring first with a two-run first inning home run by Quintin Berry, also scoring Austin Jackson. Pittsburgh tied it in the seventh inning on a two-run home run by Garrett Jones, sweeping in Pedro Alvarez. The Tigers got the lead back in the eighth inning as Delmon Young singled in Berry. This was good for a 3-2 win, with Verlander going the distance to pick up the win while Chris Resop was handed the loss.

East into Baltimore, as the Orioles host the Washington Nationals. Ross Detwiler and Jake Arrieta are the back-of-the-rotation starters. Washington led off with a third inning Ryan Zimmerman single, providing Jhonatan Solano time to get home. Baltimore took the lead in the eighth inning as Matt Wieters hit a two-run home run, also scoring Adam Jones. This was good enough to secure a 2-1 win, earned by Pedro Strop, while Jim Johnson turned the save and Sean Burnett was dinged for the loss.

Into Boston, as the Red Sox host the Atlanta Braves. Mike Minor and Aaron Cook are the struggling pitchers. Boston was the first on the board as Cody Ross hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, also scoring Dustin Pedroia and Will Middlebrooks before Adrian Gonzalez hit a solo home run. Atlanta pulled back in the fifth inning on an Eric Hinske triple to force in Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons, before he came home as Juan Francisco reached on an error. The Red Sox shot back in the bottom of the fifth as Middlebrooks hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Kelly Shoppach and Ross hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Daniel Nava. The Braves responded in the sixth inning on a Heyward solo shot. Boston answered with a Nava double to plate Shoppach in their half of the sixth. The Red Sox got another in the seventh when Kevin Youkilis tripled in Gonzalez. They held on from here to win 9-4, with Cook picking up the win and minor taking the tough loss.

Southwest to Houston, where the Astros host the Cleveland Indians. Derek Lowe and J.A. Happ will make the starts. Cleveland got on the board in the second inning when Jose Lopez scored on a wild pitch. Houston tied it in the fourth inning when Chris Johnson singled home Carlos Lee. The Astros took the lead in the sixth inning as Lee singled to score Jed Lowrie. Houston got another in the seventh inning with J.D. Martinez grounding into a double play to give time for Johnson to score. The Astros got some more in the eighth inning as Johnson hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Lowrie, followed by another two-run blast from Martinez, also scoring Jason Castro. This made it 7-1, the final, with Happ notching the win and Lowe suffering the loss.

Back to the north, as the Chicago White Sox host the Milwaukee Brewers. Michael Fiers and Jose Quintana are the little-known pitchers. Chicago won it in the tenth inning by a 1-0 score as Eduardo Escobar singled in Alejandro De Aza. Brian Bruney got the win while Manny Parra was stuck holding the loss.

South a tad to the battle of Missouri in the Kansas City, as the Royals host the St. Louis Cardinals. Lance Lynn and Jonathan Sanchez take their turns in the rotation. St. Louis struck first with a three-run home run in the first inning off the bat of Carlos Beltran, also scoring Allen Craig and Matt Holliday. Kansas City got some back in the bottom of the first when Mike Moustakas hit a two-run homer, sweeping in Irving Falu. The Cardinals answered in the second inning with Holliday doubling home Shane Robinson and Craig scoring on a wild pitch. The Royals got some back in the fourth inning with solo home runs by Moustakas and Jeff Francoeur, followed by a Jarrod Dyson triple to force in Brayan Pena. St. Louis took the lead back in the sixth inning as Yadier Molina hit a solo shot. Kansas City retied it in their half of the sixth as Salvador Perez grounded out to bring in Francoeur. The Cardinals obtained the lead again in the seventh inning as David Freese singled to plate Holliday. St. Louis added on in the eighth inning when Daniel Descalso singled to score Matt Carpenter and Craig singled to knock in both Robinson and Descalso, followed by a Holliday sacrifice fly to give Rafael Furcal time to dash home. The Royals tried a rally in the ninth inning as Billy Butler hit a two-run home run, also scoring Alex Gordon, but this only made it 11-8 in the end. Victor Marte was in line for the win while Tim Collins was responsible for the loss.

Out in California, the Los Angeles Angels host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Aaron Harang and Garrett Richards will be sent out to the mound. The Dodgers started off with a first inning Bobby Abreu single to drive in Andre Ethier. The Dodgers got another in the second inning with Dee Gordon grounding out, giving time for Adam Kennedy to get home. The Angels tied it in their half of the second with a two-run home run by Peter Bourjos, also scoring Erick Aybar. The Angels took the lead in the fifth inning as Albert Pujols singled in Mike Trout. The Dodgers retied it in the sixth inning as Kennedy hit a sacrifice fly to allow safe passage home for Juan Rivera. The Angels gained the lead in the seventh inning on a Mark Trumbo single, giving Pujols time to dash home, followed by Howie Kendrick doing the same for Kendrys Morales. This was good for a 5-3 win, with Scott Downs picking up the win, Ernesto Frieri tossing the save, and Josh Lindblom was on the hook for the loss.

South into San Diego, as the Padres host the Seattle Mariners. Hector Noesi and Edinson Volquez try to right the ship on their seasons in pitching. San Diego began in the fourth inning on an Alexi Amarista ground rule double, forcing in Chase Headley and Chris Denorfia. This was all the scoring in the game, with Volquez picking up the win, Huston Street converting his tenth save of the season, and Noesi had no run support in the loss, but he did go two for two at the plate.

Up to the Battle of the Bay, with the Oakland Athletics hosting the San Francisco Giants. Matt Cain faces a much lesser foe in A.J. Griffin. San Francisco quickly established a first inning lead as Buster Posey hit a two-run home run, also scoring Ryan Theriot. Oakland got one back in the bottom of the first as Josh Reddick singled home Coco Crisp. The Athletics won it in the ninth inning with a walkoff three-run home run by Derek Norris, sweeping in Jonny Gomes and Brandon Inge for a 4-2 victory. Jim Miller was in line for the win while Santiago Casilla took the loss.

Back east a bit, the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Chicago Cubs. Matt Garza and Wade Miley receive the green light to pitch. Arizona took an early lead with a first inning Justin Upton single to score Gerardo Parra. The Diamondbacks got another in the sixth inning when Aaron Hill singled to drive in Parra. Chicago got on the board in the seventh inning on an Alfonso Soriano solo home run. Arizona shot back in the bottom of the seventh as Jason Kubel hit a solo shot. The Diamondbacks got some more in the eighth inning with a 2-RBI Upton single plating both Miley and Parra. This made it 5-1, a final, with Miley earning the win and Garza taking the loss.

East again into Texas, with the Rangers hosting the Colorado Rockies. Alex White and Matt Harrison will be on the hill. Texas started with a second inning Leonys Martin double to bring in Nelson Cruz, before he came home on a double from Elvis Andrus. The Rangers added on in the third inning when Martin tripled to force in both Michael Young and Cruz. Colorado tried a ninth inning rally as Marco Scutaro singled in Jonathan Herrera and Carlos Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Dexter Fowler, but they couldn't avoid a 4-2 loss. Harrison was given the win while White suffered the loss.

Finally, we're in New York with the Subway Series, as the Mets host their crosstown rivals, the Yankees. Aces CC Sabathia and R.A. Dickey pace the game. The Yankees got things going in the third inning as Mark Teixeira hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Curtis Granderson before Nick Swisher lifted a three-run home run to sweep in Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano. The Mets got one back in their half of the inning as Ruben Tejada hit a sacrifice fly to score Andres Torres. The Yankees answered in the fifth inning with Teixeira grounding into a fielder's choice to get Granderson across the dish. The Mets shot back in the bottom of the fifth with a David Wright single to knock in the pitcher Dickey. The Mets tied it in the sixth inning when Torres singled in both Justin Turner and Josh Thole, followed by a Tejada single to plate Vinny Rottino. The Yankees took the lead again in the eighth inning as Cano hit a solo shot. This was all they needed for a 6-5 win, with Boone Logan picking up the win, Rafael Soriano getting his fifteenth save of the season, and Miguel Batista took the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @UltBaseballTrip, and check out ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the trip of a lifetime, passing on through Cincinnati today.

MLB Day 83 2012

Should be another full slate as long as the weather doesn't have its way again. We start in...

Miami, as the Marlins host the Toronto Blue Jays. Brett Cecil and Josh Johnson are called on to pitch. Toronto started in the second inning with a Rajai Davis fielder's choice that allowed Edwin Encarnacion to score. Miami tied it in the seventh inning on an Omar Infante double to plate Justin Ruggiano. The Blue Jays rallied ahead in the ninth inning beginning with an Encarnacion solo home run, followed by Jeff Mathis reaching on an error to allow Kelly Johnson to come home, and a grand slam by Colby Rasmus, sweeping in Mathis, Vizquel, and Brett Lawrie. This made it 7-1, the final, with the win going to Darren Oliver and the loss to Steve Cishek.

Northwest of that, the Kansas City Royals host their cross-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. Adam Wainwright opposes Luis Mendoza in pitching. St. Louis started in the third inning with a Matt Holliday single to score Rafael Furcal. The Cardinals added on in the fifth inning as Jon Jay singled in Daniel Descalso, Holliday singled home Furcal, and Jay finished his trip on a Carlos Beltran single. St. Louis got another in the sixth inning with Furcal's single to drive in Tony Cruz. Kansas City got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with an Alex Gordon triple, forcing in Humberto Quintero and a Yuniesky Betancourt groundout to get Gordon home. The Cardinals answered in the seventh inning with a two-run Allen Craig home run, also scoring Holliday. St. Louis made it 8-2 in the ninth inning when Craig singled Holliday across the dish. This was a final, with the win going to Wainwright and the loss to Mendoza.

Down into Texas, with the Rangers hosting the Colorado Rockies. Josh Outman is mismatched with Colby Lewis. Colorado began in the first inning as Jason Giambi singled in Jonathan Herrera. The Rockies added on in the third inning with Tyler Colvin singling home Jordan Pacheco and Carlos Gonzalez before coming home alongside Giambi when Chris Nelson singled. Colorado struck again in the fourth inning on a Herrera double to drive in Dexter Fowler and a 2-RBI Michael Cuddyer double plating Herrera and Pacheco. Texas got on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Nelson Cruz hit a solo home run. The Rockies got some more in the fifth inning with a two-run home run by Wil Nieves, also scoring Nelson, followed by a Fowler solo shot. The Rangers rallied in their half of the fifth, beginning with Adrian Beltre singling home Brandon Snyder, followed by Michael Young doing the same for Elvis Andrus, a three-run homer by Cruz, sweeping in Beltre and Young, and a Yorvit Torrealba single that allowed Mike Napoli to cross home. This was all for the scoring, with Colorado leading 11-7, with the win going to Rex Brothers and the loss served up to Lewis.

Northeast to Philadelphia, as the Phillies host the Tampa Bay Rays. James Shields opposes Kyle Kendrick on the mound. For a more detailed recap, go to ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the featured Game of the Day. Tampa Bay got things going in the second inning as Jeff Keppinger doubled in both Ben Zobrist and Jose Lobaton, followed by a groundout from the pitcher Shields that allowed Keppinger to dash home. Philadelphia got some back in the third inning as Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run home run, also scoring the pitcher Kendrick. The Phillies gained the lead in the fourth inning on a Juan Pierre three-run home run, sweeping in Mike Fontenot and Rollins. Philadelphia got another in the seventh inning as Carlos Ruiz singled Pierre across the dish. The Rays struck back in the eighth inning when Sean Rodriguez singled Zobrist home. Tampa Bay tied it up in the ninth inning as Keppinger singled to score Hideki Matsui and Brooks Conrad did the same for Chris Archer. The Phillies got the last laugh as Jim Thome lifted a walkoff solo shot in the bottom of the ninth to seal a 7-6 win. Jonathan Papelbon was excused from the blown save with the win, while Jake McGee gave up the homer and received the loss.

Back in Texas, the Houston Astros host the Cleveland Indians. Jeanmar Gomez and Dallas Keuchel are the unknown starters. Cleveland opened in the fourth inning on an Asdrubal Cabrera solo home run. Houston answered in the fifth inning as Chris Johnson doubled in Brian Bogusevic, followed by a two-run J.D. Martinez homer to finish Johnson's trip, and a solo shot by Jordan Schafer. The Astros got another in the sixth inning on a Carlos Lee double, scoring Jed Lowrie. Houston rallied more in the eighth inning with a Jose Altuve solo home run, followed Lee doubling to score Lowrie before coming home on a Johnson double. This made it 8-1, a final, with the Keuchel going the distance for the win and Gomez was given the loss. 

Up in Pennsylvania again, as the Pittsburgh Pirates welcome the Detroit Tigers. Max Scherzer and Brad Lincoln get the starting nods. Pittsburgh was first on the board with a fourth inning three-run home run by Andrew McCutchen, also scoring Alex Presley and Jose Tabata. Detroit got on the board in the seventh inning with a solo home run by Miguel Cabrera. The Pirates answered in the bottom of the seventh as Neil Walker singled in Casey McGehee. This was all for the scoring, with the final sitting at 4-1. The win belonged to Lincoln, while Joel Hanrahan turned the save and Scherzer was pinned with the loss.

Over in Cincinnati, the Reds host the Minnesota Twins. Brian Duensing and Johnny Cueto will be handed the ball. Cincinnati struck first in the fourth inning as Brandon Phillips hit a two-run home run, also scoring Joey Votto, followed by Scott Rolen doubling in Jay Bruce and Cueto sacrificing to finish Rolen's trip around. The Reds added on in the sixth inning as Cueto grounded out to bring in Rolen. Cincinnati got another in the eighth inning as Todd Frazier reached on an error, allowing Bruce to come home. This made it 6-0, the final, with Cueto pitching well in the win while Duensing got no support in the loss.

Westward to Chicago, as the White Sox host the Milwaukee Brewers. Randy Wolf opposes a much younger pitcher, Dylan Axelrod. Milwaukee led off in the second inning as George Kotteras doubled, which combined with an error to bring in Aramis Ramirez. Chicago answered in their half of the inning on a Dayan Viciedo single to bring home Paul Konerko, followed by Alexei Ramirez singling Alex Rios home. The Brewers shot back in the third inning as Ryan Braun singled in Norichika Aoki. The White Sox got it back in the fourth inning as Viciedo hit a two-run home run, also scoring A.J. Pierzynski. Milwaukee responded in the fifth inning with Nyjer Morgan singling Aoki across the dish. The Brewers rallied to add on in the sixth inning with Martin Maldonado singling in Aramis Ramirez, Cody Ransom doing the same for Rickie Weeks, and Carlos Gomez hitting a sacrifice fly to finish Maldonado's trip around. Chicago replied in the bottom of the sixth as Viciedo singled to drive in Rios before Orlando Hudson doubled him the rest of the way home. The White Sox got the lead in the seventh inning on a Rios single, knocking in Gordon Beckham. Chicago extended the lead in the eighth inning as Beckham singled Alexei Ramirez safely home. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 8-6. Jesse Crain was in line for the win, Addison Reed turned the save, and Jose Veras was dinged for the loss.

Back east, the Boston Red Sox host the Atlanta Braves. Randall Delgado and Franklin Morales were in line to pitch. Atlanta wasted no time in opening the scoring in the first inning as Brian McCann singled home Michael Bourn. Boston answered in their half of the inning as Adrian Gonzalez singled in Dustin Pedroia and Will Middlebrooks doubled in Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Red Sox added on in the second inning with a 2-RBI Pedroia double, scoring both Mike Aviles and Daniel Nava. Boston got another in the third inning as Middlebrooks hit a solo home run. The Braves got one back in the fifth inning when Bourn singled to score Jason Heyward. The Red Sox answered in the bottom of the fifth with Cody Ross doubling, driving in Gonzalez. Atlanta replied again in the sixth inning on a Chipper Jones double, plating Dan Uggla. The Braves chipped away in the seventh inning as Bourn grounded out, giving David Ross time to get home. Boston shot back in the eighth inning with Nava singling in both Cody Ross and Ryan Kalish. This concluded the scoring, with the final being 8-4. Morales picked up the win, while Delgado was shelled early for the loss.

Way to the west, the Oakland Athletics host the San Francisco Giants. Madison Bumgarner faces a lesser foe in Tyson Ross. Oakland began in the first inning on a two-run home run by Josh Reddick, also scoring Jemile Weeks. San Francisco answered in the second inning with Pablo Sandoval singling, which combined with an error to bring in Buster Posey, followed by Sandoval dashing home on a Brandon Belt single. The Athletics shot back in the bottom of the second as Reddick singled home Coco Crisp. Oakland got another in the third inning on a Jonny Gomes solo home run. The Giants rallied a bit in the sixth inning as Sandoval reached on an error that allowed both Angel Pagan and Posey to score, followed by a two-run home run from Belt, finishing Sandoval's trip around. San Francisco added on in the seventh inning when Posey hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Melky Cabrera, and Nate Schierholtz struck out, which gave time for Pagan to get home. The Athletics tried to rally back in the ninth inning when Brandon Inge singled Reddick home, follow by Derek Norris doing the same for Gomes, and then both Inge and Norris were forced in by a ground rule double from Brandon Hicks, but they couldn't get the equalizer, and fell 9-8. The win went to Bumgarner, while Clay Hensley shut the door for the save and Ross was not excused from the loss.

Back on the east coast, the New York Mets hosted the New York Yankees. Ivan Nova and Chris Young are the back-of-the-rotation starters. The Mets opened with a third inning Kirk Nieuwenhuis solo home run. The Mets added on in the fourth inning as Josh Thole grounded out, giving time for Scott Hairston to score. The Mets extended the lead in the sixth inning when Young singled in Daniel Murphy. The Yankees tied it in the seventh inning with a three-run home run by Raul Ibanez, sweeping in Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher, before taking the lead with a solo shot from Eric Chavez. This was good enough for a 4-3 win, with Clay Rapada earning the win, Rafael Soriano converting the save, and Jon Rauch getting drilled for the loss.

Westward to California again, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chris Capuano and Ervin Santana are the reliable starters. The Dodgers were first to score in the first inning as Jerry Hairston, Jr. reached on an error to get Dee Gordon home and Juan Rivera also got aboard thanks to an error that allowed Hairston to finish his trip. The Angels got one back in the fifth inning as Erick Aybar singled Howie Kendrick home. The Dodgers answered in the sixth inning as Hairston singled in Gordon. This made it 3-1, a final, with Capuano notching the win, Kenley Jansen throwing the save, and Santana suffering the loss.

East again, as the Baltimore Orioles host their regional rivals, the Washington Nationals. Edwin Jackson and Wei-Yin Chen are the above-average pitchers. Washington began in the second inning as Xavier Nady singled in Michael Morse and also Adam LaRoche, the latter coming home with the help of an error. The Nationals added on in the fourth inning with a LaRoche solo home run. Baltimore found the scoreboard in the fifth inning as Adam Jones hit a solo shot. This ended the scoring, with the final being 3-1. Jackson pitched well for the win, while Tyler Clippard turned the save and Chen had little help in the loss.

Back in the west, the San Diego Padres host the Seattle Mariners. Felix Hernandez and Jason Marquis take the hill. San Diego got going in the first inning as Cameron Maybin scored on a balk. Seattle charged ahead in the second inning when Brendan Ryan grounded out to bring in Michael Saunders, before the pitcher Hernandez doubled in both Justin Smoak and Dustin Ackley. The Mariners added on in the third inning with a Saunders solo home run. Seattle kept going in the fourth inning as Ichiro singled Ackley home. This was all they needed for a 5-1 win, with the win going to Hernandez while Marquis was pinned with the loss.

Finally, we backtrack to Arizona, as the Diamondbacks host the Chicago Cubs. Paul Maholm and Ian Kennedy are the veteran pitchers. Arizona started with a third inning Justin Upton solo home run. Chicago answered in the fourth inning as the pitcher Maholm hit a two-run home run, also scoring Adrian Cardenas. The Diamondbacks retied it in the bottom of the fourth as Aaron Hill reached on an error to score Ryan Roberts and Upton singled to plate Willie Bloomquist for a lead, followed by Jason Kubel singing both Hill and Upton across the dish, and Paul Goldschmidt tripled to force Kubel in before coming the final 90 feet when Miguel Montero singled. The Cubs got some back in the fifth inning as Steve Clevenger doubled in both Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto, followed by Jeff Baker singling to finish his trip. Arizona responded in the sixth inning on a Goldschmidt solo shot. The Diamondbacks added on in the seventh inning as Hill singled Bloomquist in. Arizona made it 10-5 in the eighth inning on a Montero single, finishing Goldschmidt's trip around and producing the final. The win went to Craig Breslow while Maholm was stuck with the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @UltBaseballTrip and check out ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the trip of a lifetime, now finally getting out from a special game in Philadelphia.

MLB Day 82 2012

Back to a full slate, or at least that's what's scheduled. Rain could make things difficult today. We begin after a little shower in...

Baltimore, as the Orioles host the Washington Nationals. Jordan Zimmermann and Jason Hammel make the starts after the rain delay. Baltimore was the first to score in the second inning with Mark Reynolds hitting a solo home run. Washington tied it in the fifth inning as Roger Bernadina grounded out, which combined with an error to get Ian Desmond home. The Orioles retook the lead in their half of the inning as J.J. Hardy doubled to score Nick Johnson. They held he lead up to the end, winning 2-1, with Hammel grabbing the win, Jim Johnson converting the save, and Zimmermann was left without much support in the loss.

Into Pittsburgh, as the Pirates welcome the the Detroit Tigers. Doug Fister and A.J. Burnett are the underrated pitchers. Pittsburgh got on the board in the first inning as Neil Walker singled home Alex Presley and Garrett Jones grounded into a double play that brought in Walker. The Pirates added on in the second inning with  Burnett sacrificing, which combined with an error to plate Pedro Alvarez and an additional error to score Rod Barajas. Detroit found the scoreboard in the seventh inning with a Ramon Santiago double to drive in Jhonny Peralta. This was all for the scoring, with Pittsburgh winning 4-1, giving Burnett the win, Joel Hanrahan the save, and Fister was stuck holding the loss.

Westward to Ohio, as the Cincinnati Reds host the Minnesota Twins. Nick Blackburn and Homer Bailey are the back-of-the-rotation starters. Cincinnati led off with a first inning two-run home run from Chris Heisey, also scoring Zack Cozart. Minnesota answered in the second inning when Brian Dozier grounded out to bring in Trevor Plouffe. The Twins tied it in the third inning as a Josh Willingham sacrifice fly plated Ben Revere. Minnesota grabbed the lead in the fourth inning with a Ryan Doumit solo home run. The Reds shot back in the bottom of the fourth as Scott Rolen hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Ryan Ludwick. The Twins edged back ahead in the sixth inning on a bases loaded Denard Span walk to force in Ryan Doumit and a Revere sacrifice fly allowing safe passage home for Jamey Carroll. This gave them a 5-4 lead, which they held for the rest of the game. Blackburn was in line for the win, Glen Perkins turned the save, and Bailey was stuck with the loss.

Back east, we have the Subway Series with a little bit of rain as the New York Mets host the New York Yankees. Andy Pettitte and Jonathon Niese took their turns in the rotation after the clouds lifted. The Mets quickly established a first inning lead with a 2-RBI Justin Turner single to score Ronny Cedeno and David Wright, before a three-run Ike Davis home run swept in Scott Hairston and Turner. The Yankees got on the board in the sixth inning as Alex Rodriguez hit a solo home run. The Yankees got another in the seventh inning as Andruw Jones hit a solo shot. The Mets answered in the bottom of the seventh on a Wright double to knock in Omar Quintanilla. The Yankees got a few more in the eighth inning with a two-run Robinson Cano home run, also scoring Mark Teixeira. They couldn't tie the game, falling 6-4, with Niese picking up the win, Frank Francisco turning a shaky save, and Pettitte suffered the loss.

Up into Boston, the Red Sox host the Atlanta Braves. Jair Jurrjens and Jon Lester are the struggling pitchers delayed from starting by rain. Atlanta struck first as Matt Diaz grounded out to bring in Freddie Freeman and Andrelton Simmons doubled Jason Heyward home in the fourth inning. The Braves got another in the sixth inning as Simmons hit a sacrifice fly to score Heyward again. Boston found the scoreboard in the eighth inning as Daniel Nava doubled in Will Middlebrooks. Atlanta extended the lead in the ninth inning as Freeman singled home Michael Bourn. This made the final 4-1, with the win going to Jurrjens, the save to Craig Kimbrel, and the loss to Lester.

Down south in Miami, the Marlins host the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero and Anibal Sanchez are the reliable starters. Toronto began in the first inning as Colby Rasmus grounded out to plate Brett Lawrie. The Blue Jays added on in the third inning with Jose Bautista singling in Lawrie before coming home on a sacrifice fly by Kelly Johnson. Toronto padded the lead in the fourth inning as both Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion drew bases loaded walks to force in Romero and Lawrie, and then Johnson hit a sacrifice fly that knocked home Rasmus. Miami got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo home run. The Marlins got another in the fifth inning as Hanley Ramirez singled Gaby Sanchez across the dish. The Blue Jays rallied again in the sixth inning as Johnson singled to score Lawrie, followed by Yunel Escobar hitting a sacrifice fly to plate Bautista, Rajai Davis singling to knock home Encarnacion, and J.P. Arencibia ripped a double that scored both Johnson and Davis. Miami replied in the bottom of the sixth as Omar Infante lifted a two-run home run, also scoring Justin Ruggiano. Toronto shot back in the seventh inning as Bautista hit a solo shot. The Marlins replied in the eighth inning as Gaby Sanchez hit a solo home run. This was as close as it got, with the final standing at 12-5. The win went to Romero while Anibal Sanchez was dealt the loss.

Westward to Texas, with the Rangers hosting the Colorado Rockies. Christian Friedrich and Roy Oswalt are given the ball. Texas started with a first inning Adrian Beltre two-run home run, also scoring Josh Hamilton. The Rangers struck again in the fourth inning with Nelson Cruz doubling home Beltre and Mike Napoli hitting a solo home run. Colorado got on the board in the seventh inning with Marco Scutaro doubling in Dexter Fowler. This was as close as it got, with Texas holding on to win 4-1, giving the win to Oswalt, while Joe Nathan got the save and Friedrich took the loss.

Across the state, the Houston Astros host the Cleveland Indians. Ubaldo Jimenez and Lucas Harrell will be sent out for the starts. Cleveland wasted no time in scoring first as Asdrubal Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Shin-Soo Choo. The Indians added an insurance run in the ninth inning as Michael Brantley singled in Cabrera. This was all the scoring to be done here, with the final sitting at 2-0. Jimenez notched the win, while Chris Perez picked up the save, and Harrell had no run support in the loss.

Up to Chicago, as the White Sox host the Milwaukee Brewers. Zack Greinke and Chris Sale pace the game. Milwaukee was the first to score in the tenth (yes, tenth) inning, with Rickie Weeks singled in Nyjer Morgan. This was a final, with Greinke picking up a dominant win, John Axford shutting the door for a save, and Jesse Crain was responsible for the tough loss.

Down a bit for the battle of Missouri, with the Kansas City Royals hosting the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe Kelly and Vin Mazzaro are the unknown starters. St. Louis opened in the first inning with Carlos Beltran doubling in both Rafael Furcal and Jon Jay, followed by a Yadier Molina single to drive in Matt Holliday, and a sacrifice fly from Matt Carpenter to finish Beltran's trip around. Kansas City got one back in their half of the inning when Eric Hosmer singled Yuniesky Betancourt home. The Cardinals were back at work in the second inning as Beltran doubled home Furcal and Jay again, and David Freese did the same for Beltran and Molina, and keeping with the Happy Hour theme, Tyler Greene doubled Freese and Carpenter safely home. St. Louis got another in the fourth inning on a Skip Schumaker double to bring home Carpenter. The Royals got some back in the bottom of the fourth as Salvador Perez hit a two-run home run, also scoring Mike Moustakas. Kansas City tried to rally in the ninth inning as Billy Butler singled Jarrod Dyson in, making the final 11-4. Kelly picked up the win, while Mazzaro was shelled in the loss.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Diamondbacks host the Chicago Cubs. Jeff Samardzija and Josh Collmenter are the relatively unknown pitchers. Chicago opened the scoring in the fourth inning on a Geovany Soto solo home run. Arizona answered with a two-run Jason Kubel home run, also scoring Justin Upton in the bottomf of the fourth. The Diamondbacks added on in the fifth inning as Aaron Hill singled in Brad Ziegler. Arizona struck again in the sixth inning when Miguel Montero tripled to force in Kubel and Paul Goldschmidt. The Diamondbacks got another in the seventh inning as Upton's ground rule double forced in Willie Bloomquist. This made it 6-1, a final, with the win going to Ziegler, the save turned by David Hernandez, and the loss was stuck on Samardzija.

Out in San Diego, the Padres host the Seattle Mariners. Kevin Millwood and Clayton Richard are the veteran starters. Seattle was first on the board with a first inning two-run home run by Franklin Gutierrez, also scoring Ichiro. The Mariners added on in the second inning as Miguel Olivo hit a solo home run. Seattle struck again in the third inning as Justin Smoak hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Ichiro. San Diego got on the board in the bottom of the third as Cameron Maybin grounded out, allowing Nick Hundley to score and Chase Headley singled to bring home Will Venable. The Padres charged ahead in the fourth inning when Everth Cabrera doubled in Yonder Alonso before coming home alongside Logan Forsythe on a Richard double, and then Venable singled Richard across the dish, and Venable was able to come home on a sacrifice fly by Headley. The Mariners got one back in the fifth inning as Casper Wells reached on an error that gave time for Gutierrez to come home. San Diego shot back in their half of the fifth as the pitcher Richard singled Forsythe home again. The Padres got another in the eighth inning on a Headley sacrifice fly that got Venable home. This made the final score 9-5, with Richard notching the win, Huston Street converting the save, and Millwood was on the hook for the loss.

Up in Oakland, the Athletics host the San Francisco Giants for Bay Area supremacy. Tim Lincecum and Jarrod Parker are on the hill. Oakland led off in the first inning as Jemile Weeks singled in Coco Crisp, followed by Seth Smith reaching on a fielder's choice to bring in Weeks and Brandon Inge drawing a bases loaded walk to force home Josh Reddick. San Francisco answered in the third inning as Gregor Blanco singled in Hector Sanchez. The Giants rallied ahead in the ninth inning as Brandon Belt's 2-RBI double tied it when Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval scored, followed by a go-ahead Sanchez single to finish Belt's trip around, and a Blanco single to drive in Justin Christian. The Athletics got one back in the bottom of the ninth as Reddick hit a solo home run, but they couldn't tie it, falling 5-4. Clay Hensley was in line for the win, Santiago Casilla turned his twentieth save of the season, and Ryan Cook was responsible for the meltdown loss.

Finally, back down in Anaheim, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host their regional rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chad Billingsley and Dan Haren take the mound. The Dodgers started with a three-run home run in the first inning from Bobby Abreu, sweeping in Jerry Hairston, Jr. and Andre Ethier. The Dodgers added on in the second inning as Hairston singled in Tony Gwynn, Jr. and then he came home on a Juan Rivera single. The Angels got on the board in the bottom of the second when Alberto Callaspo doubled to score Kendrys Morales, followed by a sacrifice fly from Howie Kendrick to allow Mark Trumbo to get home and an Erick Aybar groundout to finish Callaspo's trip around. The Angels pulled closer in the fourth inning as Aybar tripled to force in Callaspo, before tying it on a Bobby Wilson sacrifice fly to finish Aybar's trip, and then they took the lead on a Mike Trout solo home run. The Angels added on in the sixth inning as Torii Hunter singled to plate both Wilson and Trout. This made it 8-5, which was a final, with the win going to Haren, while Ernesto Frieri was called for the save, and Billingsley suffered a rough loss.

Follow me on Twitter @UltBaseballTrip and check out ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com to see how we combated the rain in Philadelphia, and where we're off to next since we have to change plans.

MLB Day 81 2012

Travel day is upon us once again as we approach the final interleague series of the season. Closing out a series today, the...

Detroit Tigers host the St. Louis Cardinals. Kyle Lohse and Jacob Turner are given the starting nods. Detroit got things started in the fourth inning on a Prince Fielder solo home run. St. Louis tied it in the fifth inning as Matt Holliday hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Rafael Furcal. The Tigers won it in the tenth inning with a walkoff Quintin Berry single to plate Ramon Santiago. This made it 2-1, with Joaquin Benoit grabbing the win and Victor Marte was on the hook for the loss.

Out west, the Oakland Athletics host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw and Travis Blackley are on the mound. Oakland was first to score in the second inning on a Brandon Inge sacrifice fly to bring home Jonny Gomes. Los Angeles tied it in the fourth inning as Juan Rivera singled to score Elian Herrera. The Athletics won it in the ninth inning on a walkoff three-run home run from Yoenis Cespedes, sweeping in Coco Crisp and Jemile Weeks for a 4-1 victory. The win went to Ryan Cook, while Josh Lindblom was dealt the loss.

Back to the east, the Philadelphia Phillies host the Colorado Rockies. Jeff Francis and Vance Worley are handed the ball. Philadelphia began in the first inning with a Jimmy Rollins solo home run. Colorado took the lead in the seventh inning as Chris Nelson hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Tyler Colvin. The Rockies padded the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run home run from Willin Rosario, also scoring Todd Helton for a 4-1 final. Josh Roenicke was in line for the win, Rafael Betancourt shut the door for a save, and Worley was on the hook for the loss.

Across the state of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Minnesota Twins. Liam Hendriks is mismatched with James McDonald. Pittsburgh opened in the first inning as Garrett Jones singled to score Andrew McCutchen. The Pirates added on in the second inning with a 3-RBI double from McCutchen, sweeping in McDonald, Alex Presley, and Neil Walker. Minnesota got on the board in the fourth inning as Ryan Doumit singled to bring in Trevor Plouffe. Pittsburgh shot back in the sixth inning as Rod Barajas hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Pedro Alvarez. The Pirates padded the lead in the seventh inning with a two-run blast from Jones, also scoring McCutchen, before Alvarez hit a solo home run. This made it 9-1, a final. McDonald went the distance for the win, while Hendriks was dinged for the loss.

Into the capital, as the Washington Nationals host the Tampa Bay Rays. Matt Moore and Gio Gonzalez show alliteration in the pitching match, something I've been missing lately. Tampa Bay started in the second inning as Desmond Jennings singled in Hideki Matsui. Washington took the lead in the third inning with Michael Morse hitting a sacrifice fly to plate Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond singling to drive in Bryce Harper. The Rays tied it in the sixth inning on a Sean Rodriguez single that allowed Ben Zobrist to get home. The Nationals charged back ahead in their half of the sixth on a 2-RBI single from Espinosa, knocked in both Jesus Flores and Adam LaRoche. Washington extended the lead in the seventh inning on a Roger Bernadina double that brought in Ryan Zimmerman. This made it 5-2, a final, with Gonzalez grabbing the win, Tyler Clippard tossing the save, and Moore suffered the loss.

Finally, we pull a rare stunt by boiling ending in Boston, as the Red Sox host the Miami Marlins. Carlos Zambrano and Daisuke Matsuzaka pace the game, although for how long remains to be seen. For a more detailed analysis of this game, go to ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the Game of the Day.  Miami established an early lead in the first inning as Greg Dobbs singled in both Jose Reyes and Giancarlo Stanton before coming home on a single from Omar Infante. Boston got some back in the fourth inning with Will Middlebrooks singling to score Cody Ross before Mike Aviles hit a sacrifice fly to plate Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Red Sox tied it in the fifth inning when Middlebrooks singled Adrian Gonzalez across the dish. The Marlins took the lead again in the sixth inning on a Stanton solo home run and an Infante double that scored Dobbs. Boston answered in the eighth inning with a two-run tying home run from Middlebrooks, also scoring Saltalamacchia, and a go ahead Daniel Nava single that allowed Ryan Kalish safe passage home. This made it 6-5, which held up as a final, with the win going to Scott Atchison, the save to Alfredo Aceves, and the loss to Edward Mujica.

Follow me on Twitter @UltBaseballTrip and check out ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the game of the day, going back in time as we visit Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

MLB Day 80 2012

It's a getaway day again, which means we have matinees on the schedule. We begin in...

The Bronx, as the New York Yankees host the Atlanta Braves. Tommy Hanson and Phil Hughes will be assigned to make the starts this afternoon. For a more detailed analysis of this game, check out ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the first of two Games of the Day. Atlanta got started in the first inning with a Dan Uggla single to bring in Michael Bourn, before Freddie Freeman hit a two-run home run, also scoring Uggla. New York got one back in the bottom of the first on a Derek Jeter solo home run. The Braves shot back with a third inning solo shot by Martin Prado. Atlanta added on in the fourth as Jason Heyward went yard on a solo home run. The Braves got another solo shot in the fifth inning with David Ross sending the ball over the fence. The Yankees got one back in their half of the fifth as Eric Chavez hit a solo home run. New York pulled closer in the sixth inning with a pair of solo shots by Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano. The Yankees kept going in the seventh inning as Curtis Granderson singled Russell Martin safely home. Atlanta extended the lead in the eighth inning as Freeman grounded out to provide time for Prado to come home before a two-run home run by Heyward swept in Uggla. The Braves iced it at 10-5 in the ninth inning when Prado singled Juan Francisco in. Hanson was in line for the win while Hughes was given the loss.

Down into Houston, where the Astros host the Kansas City Royals. Bruce Chen and Jordan Lyles are the struggling starters. Kansas City got on the board in the fifth inning with a Brayan Pena groundout to give Mike Moustakas time to get home. The Royals got another in the sixth inning with Yuniesky Betancourt reaching on an error to allow Alex Gordon to score. Houston got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a Jed Lowrie single to knock in Jordan Schafer. They were unable to tie the game, allowing the win to go to Chen, while Jonathan Broxton turned the save and Lyles had little help in the loss.

Up north in Milwaukee, the Brewers host the Toronto Blue Jays. Joel Carreno is mismatched with Yovani Gallardo in the pitching match. Toronto opened the scoring in the second inning with an Edwin Encarnacion solo home run. Milwaukee rallied ahead in the bottom of the second when Corey Hart hit a solo shot, followed by a two-run long ball from Martin Maldonado, also scoring Cody Ransom, and a two-run homer by Carlos Gomez to plate the pitcher Gallardo. The Brewers added on in the fifth inning when Nyjer Morgan singled Gomez home. The Blue Jays shot back in the seventh inning as Colby Rasmus doubled in David Cooper and Encarnacion was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded forcing in Brett Lawrie. Milwaukee shot back in their half of the seventh with a two-run Ryan Braun home run, also scoring Morgan. This made it 8-3, a final, with the win going to Gallardo and the loss to Carreno.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Diamondbacks host the Seattle Mariners. Jason Vargas and Trevor Cahill are the young starters. Arizona wasted little time in scoring in the first inning on solo home runs by Aaron Hill and Jason Kubel. Seattle rallied ahead in the third inning with John Jaso doubling in the pitcher Vargas, followed by a 2-RBI Casper Wells single to drive in Ichiro and Jaso, and a two-run home run by Kyle Seager, finishing up Wells' trip around. The Diamondbacks tied it up in the fourth inning with a two-run home run by Miguel Montero, also scoring Kubel, and a John McDonald solo shot. Arizona took a fifth inning lead as Justin Upton hit a three-run home run, sweeping in Chris Young and Hill, followed by Ryan Roberts singling to score Paul Goldschmidt and a McDonald double to bring home Montero. The Mariners got one back in the sixth inning as Dustin Ackley grounded out to finish a Seager trip around the bases. The Diamondbacks pulled away again in the bottom of the sixth with Montero's 2-RBI single to bring home both Upton and Goldschmidt, followed by a two-run inside-the-park home run by Roberts, bringing in Montero. Seattle replied in the eighth inning as Michael Saunders singled to bring in Wells, followed by a three-run blast by Franklin Gutierrez, sweeping home Saunders and Ackley. They failed to get any closer, losing 14-10. Cahill was the winning pitcher while Vargas was tagged for the loss.

Further to the west, the San Diego Padres welcome the Texas Rangers. Yu Darvish faces a lesser foe in Anthony Bass. San Diego started off with a 2-RBI single by the pitcher Bass, knocking in both John Baker and Alexi Amarista in the second inning. Texas got one back in the fifth inning as Alberto Gonzalez singled in David Murphy. The Rangers took the lead in the sixth inning on a Nelson Cruz fielder's choice to bring home Michael Young and a bases-loaded walk by Yorvit Torrealba forcing in Josh Hamilton. Texas got another in the seventh inning when Young hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Ian Kinsler. This was all for the scoring here, with the final being 4-2, with Darvish getting the win, Joe Nathan turning his fifteenth save of the season, and Dale Thayer took the loss.

Way northeast to Pittsburgh, as the Pirates host the Minnesota Twins. Veterans Francisco Liriano and Erik Bedard will pitch. Minnesota began with a first inning Trevor Plouffe single to drive in Josh Willingham. Pittsburgh tied it in the seventh inning on a Rod Barajas sacrifice fly that knocked in Pedro Alvarez. The Twins got the lead back in the eighth inning when Willingham hit a solo home run. This was all they needed to win 2-1, with Jared Burton getting the win, Glen Perkins making the save, and Jason Grilli was on the hook for the loss.

Westward to Detroit, with the Tigers hosting the St. Louis Cardinals. Jake Westbrook and Rick Porcello are the average starters. Detroit led off in the third inning as Austin Jackson doubled in Gerald Laird. St. Louis tied it in the fifth inning with Daniel Descalso hitting a sacrifice fly to score David Freese. The Cardinals took the lead in the sixth inning on a Yadier Molina double play allowing Matt Holliday to cross home safely. St. Louis added on in the seventh inning with Molina reaching on an error that got Carlos Beltran home. The final stood at 3-1 here, with Westbrook going the distance for the win and Porcello taking the loss.

Back into Pennsylvania, as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Colorado Rockies. Alex White and Joe Blanton will try to turn their seasons around tonight. Philadelphia opened the scoring with a first inning groundout by Hunter Pence, giving time for Juan Pierre to dart home. Colorado got on the board with a second inning three-run home run from Willin Rosario, sweeping in Jordan Pacheco and Chris Nelson. The Phillies responded with a three-run blast of their own in the bottom of the second, with Michael Martinez going yard and taking Placido Polanco and John Mayberry with him. The Rockies retied the game on a solo home run from Michael Cuddyer in the third inning. Colorado took a lead in the fourth inning on a solo shot by Nelson. Philadelphia pulled even on a Jimmy Rollins double in their half of the fourth, plating Mayberry. The Rockies got the lead again in the ninth inning as Dexter Fowler singled Rosario across the dish. The Phillies got the last laugh, rallying in the bottom of the ninth with a Pence double to bring in Ty Wigginton as the "Ty"-ing run and then Polanco reached on an error that allowed Pence to come home as the winning run for a 7-6 victory. Jonathan Papelbon was in line for the win while Rafael Betancourt was the victim of the loss.

Into Washington, as the Nationals host the Tampa Bay Rays. Chris Archer and Stephen Strasburg are the promising young starters. Washington drew first blood with a first inning Bryce Harper single allowing Steve Lombardozzi to score, and Harper scored when Ryan Zimmerman reached on an error, and Zimmerman finished his trip on an Ian Desmond single. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second inning with a Jose Molina solo home run. The Rays pulled closer in the third inning when Hideki Matsui singled to drive in Carlos Pena. They couldn't tie the game up, falling 3-2, with Strasburg getting the win, Tyler Clippard throwing his tenth save of the season, and Archer taking a tough loss.

West to Ohio for the battle for state supremacy, as the Cleveland Indians host the Cincinnati Reds. Bronson Arroyo and Justin Masterson have the green light to start. Cleveland established a lead in the fourth inning with a two-run home run by Johnny Damon, also scoring Casey Kotchman, and a three-run homer by Asdrubal Cabrera, knocking in Lonnie Chisenhall and Shin-Soo Choo. The Indians added on with a 3-RBI double from Chisenhall in the seventh inning, sweeping home Carlos Santana, Kotchman, and Damon. Cincinnati got on the board in the eighth inning as Willie Harris grounded out to get Jay Bruce home. This was as close as it got, with the final standing at 8-1. The win went to Masterson, while Arroyo was pinned with the loss.

Back to the Atlantic, with the Boston Red Sox hosting the Miami Marlins. Ricky Nolasco and Felix Doubront are the reliable starters. Miami wasted no time in getting on the board with Giancarlo Stanton grounding into a double play that allowed Jose Reyes to come home. The Marlins struck again in the second inning as Gaby Sanchez grounded out, allowing Justin Ruggiano to dart home. Boston took the lead in the bottom of the second on a three-run Mike Aviles home run, sweeping in Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kevin Youkilis. The Red Sox added on in the third inning with a 3-RBI Cody Ross double, knocking in all of Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish, and David Ortiz. Miami got some back in the fourth inning when Logan Morrison hit a solo home run and Sanchez singled Ruggiano across the dish. Boston answered in their half of the fourth, with Kalish singling Aviles home, followed by an Ortiz grand slam to bring home all of Nava, Kalish, and Adrian Gonzalez, and a solo shot by Saltalamacchia. The Red Sox got another in the fifth inning with Nick Punto scoring on a wild pitch. The Marlins got another in the seventh inning as John Buck hit a solo home run. Boston got a couple more in the eighth inning with a two-run home run by Will Middlebrooks, driving in Saltalamacchia. This made it 15-5, a final, with the win easily going to Doubront while Nolasco was charged with a hefty loss.

Back into New York, as the Mets host the Baltimore Orioles. Brian Matusz and Dillon Gee take their turns in the rotation. For a more detail analysis of this game, go to ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for our second Game of the Day. New York was first on the board in the fourth inning with a Mike Nickeas single to bring in Scott Hairston. The Mets struck again in the fifth inning as Hairston hit a ground rule double to knock in Jordany Valdespin and Ike Davis grounded into a fielder's choice to get David Wright home. New York added on in the sixth inning with another ground rule double, this time from Wright to bring home the pitcher Gee. Baltimore got on the board in the eighth inning as Wilson Betemit hit a two-run home run, also scoring Nick Johnson. The Orioles got one back in the ninth inning as Steve Pearce walked with the bases loaded to force in Matt Wieters, but this only made it 4-3 and they never got the equalizer. Gee picked up the win, Frank Francisco walked away with the save, and Matusz was not off the hook for the loss.

West again to Chicago, as the White Sox host the Chicago Cubs. Randy Wells and Gavin Floyd are the well-known veterans pitching. The White Sox were first to score in the third inning as Adam Dunn singled in Eduardo Escobar and Paul Konerko did the same for Alejandro De Aza. The White Sox got another in the fourth inning as Gordon Beckham singled to score Alexei Ramirez. The White Sox extended their lead in the sixth inning on a three-run home run by Beckham, sweeping in Escobar and De Aza. The White Sox kept going in the seventh inning when Ramirez singled Alex Rios home. This made it 7-0 in the end, with Floyd cruising to the win and Wells getting no support in the loss.

Back into California, we have the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hosting the San Francisco Giants. Aces Ryan Vogelsong and Jered Weaver pace the game. Los Angeles opened with a second inning Alberto Callaspo solo home run. The Angels padded the lead in the fifth inning as Erick Aybar singled Howie Kendrick across the dish before scoring himself on a Mike Trout single. Los Angeles padded the lead in the eighth inning with solo shots from Kendrys Morales and Mark Trumbo, and a Bobby Wilson double to drive in Kendrick. This made it 6-0 in the end, with Weaver returning from the disabled list with a win, and Vogelsong had no help in the loss.

Finally, a bit to the north the Oakland Athletics host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nathan Eovaldi and Tommy Milone are the relatively unknown pitchers atop the hill. Los Angeles got things going on a second inning Juan Uribe double to drive in Juan Rivera. Oakland tied it in the fourth inning as Seth Smith doubled in Yoenis Cespedes. The Athletics took a lead in the fifth inning as Josh Reddick grounded into a double play to get Eric Sogard home and Cespedes singled Coco Crisp home. Oakland added on in the eighth inning as Brandon Moss hit a solo home run. This produced a 4-1 final, with Milone going the distance for the win and Eovaldi taking the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @UltBaseballTrip and check out ultimatebaseballfantasytrip.blogspot.com for the trip of a lifetime, taking in two games in the Big Apple today.