MLB Day 131 2012

Full slate once again, beginning in...

The Bronx, as the New York Yankees host the Texas Rangers. Matt Harrison and Hiroki Kuroda are the underrated pitchers. New York finally started the scoring in the seventh inning as Nick Swisher hit a two-run home run, also scoring Derek Jeter, followed by a solo home run from Mark Teixeira. This was all they needed for a 3-0 win, with Kuroda tossing a two-hit and two-walk complete game shutout while Harrison had little help in the loss.

West a touch to Pittsburgh, with the Pirates hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chad Billingsley and Kevin Correia are set to start. Los Angeles got going in the third inning as Shane Victorino grounded out to bring in Luis Cruz. The Dodgers got another in the fourth inning as James Loney grounded out to knock in Matt Kemp, followed by Cruz singling both Andre Ethier and Hanley Ramirez home. Los Angeles struck again in the sixth inning as Cruz singled Ramirez across the dish, followed by an A.J. Ellis sacrifice fly to bring around Loney. The Dodgers extended the lead in the ninth inning as Kemp singled to drive in Adam Kennedy, Ethier singled both Victorino and Juan Uribe home, and then Ramirez doubled to plate both Kemp and Ethier. This made the final 11-0, with Billingsley getting the win and Correia having no help in the loss.

Back to the east, the Baltimore Orioles host the Boston Red Sox. Josh Beckett and Wei-Yin Chen get the starting nods. Baltimore opened in the third inning as Omar Quintanilla hit a solo home run. Boston tied it in the fourth inning on a Carl Crawford single allowing Cody Ross to get home. The Orioles took the lead back in the fifth inning as Mark Reynolds hit a solo shot. Baltimore padded the lead in the sixth inning as Matt Wieters singled home J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis did the same for Adam Jones, followed by Reynolds hitting a three-run home run to sweep in Wieters and Davis. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 7-1. Chen was given the win while Beckett was handed the loss.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays host the Chicago White Sox. Jose Quintana and Henderson Alvarez are the relatively unknown pitchers. Toronto began in the first inning on a Yunel Escobar single to plate Mike McCoy. The Blue Jays got another in the third inning as McCoy grounded out, allowing Rajai Davis to get home. Chicago rallied ahead in the fifth inning when Alejandro De Aza singled to knock in A.J. Pierzynski, followed by Dewayne Wise doing the same for Dayan Viciedo, and then De Aza came home on an error. The scoring ended here at 3-2, with Quintana getting the win, Addison Reed tossing the save, and Alvarez suffered the loss.

Back stateside, the Cincinnati Reds host the New York Mets. Chris Young is mismatched with Mat Latos. Cincinnati opened and closed the scoring in the ninth inning on a three-run home run by Jay Bruce, sweeping in Brandon Philips and Ryan Ludwick for a 3-0 final. Jose Arredondo got the win while Manny Acosta was on the hook for the loss.

South to Atlanta, with the Braves hosting the San Diego Padres. Clayton Richard and Tim Hudson are the well-known pitchers. Atlanta led off with a first inning Freddie Freeman groundout, giving Michael Bourn time to dash home. The Braves struck again in the fifth inning on a Dan Uggla solo home run. Atlanta padded the lead in the sixth inning when Chipper Jones singled home Martin Prado. The Braves struck again in the seventh inning as Prado hit a three-run home run, sweeping in Jason Heyward and Bourn. This made it 6-0, a final, with Hudson getting the win and Richard taking the loss.

Further south, the Miami Marlins host the Philadelphia Phillies. Kyle Kendrick and Josh Johnson show alliteration in the pitching match. Philadelphia started in the first inning as Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff solo home run.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Cubs host the Houston Astros. Lucas Harrell and Chris Volstad are the back-of-the-rotation pitchers. Houston was first on the board in the first inning as Scott Moore doubled in Jose Altuve. The Astros padded the lead in the third inning with a three-run home run by Brett Wallace, sweeping in Tyler Greene and Altuve. Houston got another in the sixth inning as Brandon Barnes reached on an error that allowed Moore to dash home, followed by a three-run home run by Fernando Martinez, also scoring Brian Bogusevic and Barnes, and then Altuve doubled home Harrell. The Astros got some more in the seventh inning on a Moore solo home run. Chicago got on the board in the bottom of the seventh as Darwin Barney grounded out to bring in Starlin Castro. They got no closer, losing 10-1, with Harrell picking up the win while Vosltad was pinned with the loss.

Down in Kansas City, the Royals host the Oakland Athletics. Jarrod Parker and Jeremy Guthrie will be sent out for the starts. Kansas City got things going in the fifth inning with an Eric Hosmer single to plate Salvador Perez, followed by a Chris Getz sacrifice fly to bring in Jeff Francoeur, Alex Gordon singling to finish Hosmer's trip around, Alcides Escobar reaching on an error to allow Lorenzo Cain to score, and Billy Butler hitting a sacrifice fly to finish Gordon's trip. This was it for the scoring with the final being 5-0. Guthrie notched the win and Parker was dealt the loss.

North to Minnesota, where the Twins host the Detroit Tigers. Doug Fister faces a lesser foe in Brian Duensing. Detroit opened in the first inning as Jhonny Peralta singled in both Austin Jackson and Omar Infante. The Tigers added on in the second inning as Gerald Laird tripled to force in Andy Dirks before scoring on a Jackson double. Minnesota rallied to tie in the third inning as Darin Mastroianni reached on an error that allowed Jamey Carroll to get home, followed by a three-run home run by Josh Willingham, sweeping in Ben Revere and Mastroianni. Detroit took the lead again in the sixth inning as Dirks hit a solo home run. The Tigers struck again in the seventh inning when Miguel Cabrera singled to knock in Infante. Detroit padded the lead in the ninth inning as Cabrera doubled Infante safely home before scoring as Delmon Young reached on an error. This made it 8-4, the final, with Fister notching the win and Duensing was pinned with the loss.

Back in Missouri again, as the St. Louis Cardinals host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ian Kennedy and Joe Kelly are the solid starters. St. Louis led off in the fourth inning as Matt Holliday hit a two-run home run, also scoring Allen Craig. The Cardinals got another in the sixth inning as Jon Jay hit a solo home run. Arizona shot back in the seventh inning as Miguel Montero hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Justin Upton. St. Louis answered in the bottom of the seventh as Shane Robinson reached on an error that allowed Skip schumaker to dash home, followed by Craig grounding out to get Rafael Furcal across the dish. The Cardinals struck again in the eighth inning on a Matt Carpenter double that plated both Yadier Molina and Schumaker, before he scored on a Jay single. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 8-2, giving Kelly the win and Kennedy suffered the loss.

Westward to Colorado, as the Rockies welcome the Milwaukee Brewers. Randy Wolf and Tyler Chatwood are the uninspiring pitchers. Colorado established a lead in the first inning as Carlos Gonzalez singled in both Eric Young and Josh Rutledge, followed by Willin Rosario doubling Gonzalez in, and then he scored on a Jordan Pacheco single. Milwaukee got on the board in the third inning as Norichika Aoki laid down a bunt single that got Carlos Gomez home. Colorado answered in their half of the inning when Pacheco singled to get Fowler home. The Brewers shot back in the fifth inning as Martin Maldonado hit a solo home run. Colorado answered in their half of the inning on a Rosario solo shot. The Rockies got some more in the sixth inning on a two-run home run by Young, also scoring Chris Nelson. Milwaukee replied in the seventh inning as Maldonado grounded into a double play that gave time for Aramis Ramirez to come home. The Brewers struck again in the ninth inning on a Maldonado double that knocked in Corey Hart, before scoring on a single from Jonathan Lucroy, followed by Aoki doing the same for Gomez, but they still fell short and lost 8-6. Chatwood got the win, while Rafael Betancourt turned a sloppy save, and Wolf was not freed from the loss.

Into California, with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hosting the Cleveland Indians. Ubaldo Jimenez and Zack Greinke are pacing the game. Los Angeles rallied to a lead in the first inning as Torii Hunter singled in Mike Trout, followed by Kendrys Morales singling Hunter home, Mark Trumbo doing the same for Albert Pujols, and Chris Iannetta following suit for Trumbo. Cleveland got on the board in the fourth inning with a two-run home run by Michael Brantley, also scoring Carlos Santana. The Angels shot back in the bottom of the fourth as Erick Aybar hit a solo home run, followed by Pujols hitting a three-run home run, sweeping in Iannetta and Trout. Los Angeles added on in the sixth inning with Pujols doubling Hunter across the dish. The Indians got one back in the seventh inning on an Ezequiel Carrera single, knocking in Brantley, followed by a Jason Kipnis groundout to bring around Jason Donald. Cleveland pulled closer with a two-run home run by Casey Kotchman in the eighth inning, bringing around Brantley. They got no closer, losing 9-6, with Greinke notching the win, Ernesto Frieri tossing the save, and Jimenez was pinned with the loss.

North to Seattle, as the Mariners host the Tampa Bay Rays. Matt Moore and Kevin Millwood take the mound. Tampa Bay opened with B.J. Upton tripling to force in Desmond Jennings and then he came the final 90 feet home on a sacrifice fly by Evan Longoria. Seattle shot back in the second inning with Miguel Olivo doubling to knock in Justin Smoak. The Mariners tried a ninth inning rally, tying the game as Smoak hit a sacrifice fly to get Kyle Seager home, and they won 3-2 as Eric Thames singled to knock in Chone Figgins. Stephen Pryor was in line for the win, while the reasonably consistent Fernando Rodney slipped up for a blown save and loss.

Finally, we end in San Francisco, as the Giants host the Washington Nationals. Jordan Zimmermann and Madison Bumgarner are on the hill. San Francisco led off with a second inning Brandon Belt double to drive in Hunter Pence. The Giants added on in the sixth inning as Belt singled to plate Pablo Sandoval. Washington got on the board in the seventh inning as Adam LaRoche singled to knock in Jayson Werth. San Francisco extended the lead in the eighth inning when Pablo Sandoval hit a sacrifice fly to score Melky Cabrera, followed by Belt singling Buster Posey in, Brandon Crawford doing the same for Hunter Pence, and Angel Pagan singling to finish Belt's trip around. This made the final 6-1, with Bumgarner going the distance for the win while Zimmermann was stuck with the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 130 2012

Only eleven games on today, beginning in...

Pittsburgh, with the Pirates hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Aaron Harang and Jeff Karstens get the starting nods. Los Angeles began in the third inning as Shane Victorino doubled in A.J. Ellis before scoring on a Matt Kemp single. Pittsburgh tied it in their half of the inning as Garrett Jones doubled both Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen home. The Dodgers took the lead back in the fifth inning as Victorino hit a two-run home run, also scoring Harang. Los Angeles padded the lead in the eighth inning when Juan Rivera singled to knock in Kemp. The Pirates shot back in the bottom of the eighth with Jones doubling to plate McCutchen, followed by Michael McKenry singling him the rest of the way home. They couldn't get the equalizer, falling 5-4, with Harang holding on to the win, Kenley Jansen tossing the save, and Karstens was not freed from the loss.

Over in New York, the Yankees host the Texas Rangers. Ryan Dempster faces a lesser foe in David Phelps. Texas started in the first inning on a Nelson Cruz single to drive in Elvis Andrus. The Rangers got another in the second inning on a David Murphy solo home run. New York took the lead in the third inning on a Nick Swisher grand slam, sweeping in Russell Martin, Raul Ibanez, and Derek Jeter, followed by a Curtis Granderson sacrifice fly to bring in Robinson Cano. The Yankees added on in the sixth inning as Eric Chavez hit a solo shot. New York padded the lead in the seventh inning as Jeter doubled Ichiro Suzuki safely home, before he scored on a single from Swisher. This made the final 8-2, with the win going to Phelps, the save to Derek Lowe and his four innings of relief work, and the loss to Dempster.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays host the Chicago White Sox. Jake Peavy and Carlos Villanueva are penciled in to pitch. Toronto opened with a third inning Edwin Encarnacion single to get Anthony Gose home. Chicago answered in the fourth inning with an Adam Dunn solo home run. The Blue Jays took the lead back in the seventh inning as Moises Sierra hit a solo shot. The White Sox retied it in the ninth inning on another Dunn solo home run. Toronto won it in the eleventh inning as David Cooper singled to plate Kelly Johnson for a 3-2 final. Steve Delabar got the win and made history (four strikeouts in one extra inning) while Leyson Septimo was charged with the loss.

Back stateside, the Miami Marlins host the Philadelphia Phillies. Cole Hamels and Nathan Eovaldi are tabbed to pitch. Philadelphia led off in the third inning when Chase Utley doubled to knock in Jimmy Rollins, followed by John Mayberry reaching on an error that allowed Juan Pierre to get home. The Phillies got another in the fourth inning as Pierre tripled to force in Rollins. Philadelphia struck again in the seventh inning as Erik Krats hit a sacrifice fly that scored Domonic Brown. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 4-0, with Hamels going the distance for a complete game shutout and Eovaldi having no run support in the loss.

Back north again, the Atlanta Braves host the San Diego Padres. Eric Stults and Mike Minor will be handed the ball. San Diego was first to score in the second inning with a Cameron Maybin sacrifice fly allowed Chris Denorfia to come home. The Padres added on in the fifth inning as Chase Headley singled in Stults. San Diego padded the lead in the sixth inning as Yonder Alonso singled to knock in Denorfia. The Padres struck again with a seventh inning solo home run from Headley. Atlanta got on the board in the eighth inning when Martin Prado tripled to force in Michael Bourn. This was as close as it got, with the final standing at 4-1. Stults got the win, Dale Thayer turned the save, and Minor was handed the loss.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Cubs host the Houston Astros. Armando Galarraga and Jeff Samardzija have the most difficult pair of last names for any two starting pitchers. Chicago struck first with a second inning two-run home run by Darwin Barney, also scoring Starlin Castro. The Cubs got another in the third inning with Anthony Rizzo singling in Josh Vitters. Chicago struck again in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by Alfonso Soriano, sweeping in Rizzo. Houston got on the board in the sixth inning as Brandon Barnes hit a sole home run. The Cubs shot back in the seventh inning as Welington Castillo singled to knock in Soriano. Chicago extended the lead in the eighth inning on a Vitters sacrifice fly that allowed safe passage home for Barney. This produced the 7-1 final, with the win belonging to Samardzija, while Galarraga was dealt the loss.

Further north still, the Minnesota Twins host the Detroit Tigers. Anibal Sanchez and Samuel Deduno are the average pitchers. Minnesota opened in the third inning on a Justin Morneau single to score Joe Mauer. Detroit tied it in the fifth inning as Jhonny Peralta doubled in Brennan Boesch. The Twins took the lead again in the bottom of the fifth as Darin Mastroianni hit a solo home run. Minnesota got another the sixth inning on as Alexi Casilla doubled to drive in Ryan Doumit, followed by Mastroianni singling in both Jamey Carroll and Casilla. The Twins got more in the seventh inning as Doumit hit a three-run home run to sweep in Mauer and Josh Willingham. The Tigers shot back in the eighth inning with a Miguel Cabrera single to knock in Austin Jackson, followed by Delmon Young doing the same for Andy Dirks. Minnesota replied in their half of the eighth as Willingham hit a sacrifice fly to give Ben Revere time to score. They held on to win 9-3, with Deduno notching the win and Sanchez taking the loss.

Southwest to Colorado, with the Rockies hosting the Milwaukee Brewers. Mike Fiers and Jeff Francis are the little-known starters. Colorado got going in the first inning with Jonathan Herrera singling to get Eric Young home, before scoring on a Carlos Gonzalez groundout, followed by Willin Rosario hitting a sacrifice fly to bring around Dexter Fowler. The Rockies struck again in the second inning as Young grounded out to get Chris Nelson home. Colorado added on in the third inning as Gonzalez singled to plate Fowler, followed by Tyler Colvin doubling to finish Gonzalez's trip, Nelson singling to get Rosario in, and DJ LeMahieu followed suit for Colvin. Milwaukee got on the board in the fourth inning as Corey Hart grounded out, giving Aramis Ramirez time to dash home. The Brewers got some more in the sixth inning on a two-run home run by Carlos Gomez, also scoring Jonathan Lucroy. The Rockies replied in the seventh inning on a LeMahieu single that drove home Rosario. Milwaukee tried to rally in the ninth inning on a three-run home run by Rickie Weeks, sweeping in Gomez and Travis Ishikawa, but they still fell 9-6. Francis picked up the win while Fiers was shelled in the loss.

Into California, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host the Cleveland Indians. Justin Masterson is mismatched with C.J. Wilson. Cleveland took the lead in the third inning as Jason Donald singled in Brent Lillibridge, followed by Asdrubal Cabrera doing the same for Lou Marson. The Indians got another in the fourth inning on a Lillibridge solo home run. Los Angeles got on the board in the eighth inning as Albert Pujols hit a two-run home run, also scoring Mike Trout. Cleveland extended the lead in the ninth inning as Marson walked with the bases loaded to force in Ezequiel Carrera, followed by Jason Kipnis hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in Lillibridge, and Casey Kotchman scoring on a wild pitch to make the final 6-2. Masterson earned the win, Chris Perez mopped up a mess for a save, and Wilson was handed the loss.

Up in Seattle, the Mariners host the Tampa Bay Rays. Alex Cobb and Blake Beavan are the relatively unknown pitchers. Tampa Bay established a lead in the third inning as Desmond Jennings singled in Sam Fuld before scoring on a two-run home run by B.J. Upton, followed by Ben Zobrist doubling to score Matt Joyce. Seattle got on the board in the sixth inning when Eric Thames singled to plate Trayvon Robinson. They got no closer, losing 4-1, with Cobb getting the win, Fernando Rodney tossing the save, and Beavan suffered the loss.

Finally, in San Francisco, the Giants host the Washington Nationals. Gio Gonzalez and Ryan Vogelsong pace the game. Washington began in the first inning as Ryan Zimmerman doubled in Steve Lombardozzi. The Nationals rallied to extend the lead in the third inning as Adam LaRoche walked with the bases loaded to force in Lombardozzi, followed by Michael Morse singling in Bryce Harper, Danny Espinosa doing the same for Zimmerman, Roger Bernadina following suit to finish LaRoche's trip around, and then Kurt Suzuki doubled in all of Morse, Espinosa, and Bernadina. Washington added on in the fourth inning as Bernadina doubled in Zimmerman and Morse, followed by Suzuki singling to drive in Espinosa. The Nationals kept going in the fifth inning as Harper scored on a wild pitch, followed by a two-run home run by Espinosa, also scoring Tyler Moore. San Francisco got on the board in the seventh inning as Brandon Crawford hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Ryan Theriot. This ended the scoring at 14-2, with Gonzalez getting a ton of support in the win, while Vogelsong was tossed around in the loss, and fellow pitcher Brad Penny gets dishonorable mention for his struggles as well.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 18 2012

Not sure how many people clinched a playoff spot in the last week, but some of these players may have gotten teams closer.

Batters: Josh Hamilton, Adrian Gonzalez, Chase Headley, Billy Butler, Dustin Pedroia, Desmond Jennings, Alex Gordon, Jon Jay, Erick Aybar, Justin Morneau.

Pitchers: Justin Verlander, Chris Sale, Jered Weaver, Paul Maholm, Aroldis Chapman, Clay Buchholz, Jordan Zimmermann, Roy Halladay, Jason Marquis, Chris Capuano.

MLB Day 129 2012

Getaway day time, with all teams playing on a Sunday. We begin in...

Cleveland, as the Indians host the Boston Red Sox. Jon Lester and Corey Kluber are the struggling starters. Boston got started in the first inning as Dustin Pedroia doubled in Carl Crawford before scoring on a two-run home run by Adrian Gonzalez. Cleveland got on the board in the bottom of the first as Carlos Santana hit a sacrifice fly to allow Jason Donald to dash home. The Red Sox shot back in the second inning as Crawford doubled both Mike Aviles and Jacoby Ellsbury home. Boston got another in the fourth inning when Kelly Shoppach singled to drive in Aviles. The Red Sox rallied to extend the lead in the fifth inning with Cody Ross singling to get Pedroia home, Jarrod Saltalamacchia doing the same to score Gonzalez, Danny Valencia hit a sacrifice fly to give Ross time to finish his trip around, Ellsbury doubled both Saltalamacchia and Aviles across the dish before scoring on a Crawford double, and then Gonzalez hit a 2-RBI double that saw Crawford and Pedroia both come home safely. This outburst paced them to a 14-1 win, picked up by Lester, while Kluber was shelled significantly despite not giving up the rally, thus giving him the loss.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays host the New York Yankees. Phil Hughes and J.A. Happ make the starts. Toronto opened with a first inning David Cooper single scoring Edwin Encarnacion. The Blue Jays rallied to extend the lead in the fourth inning as Jeff Mathis doubled in Moises Sierra, before scoring alongside Anthony Gose as Rajai Davis doubled, and Davis later scored on a single from Mike McCoy, who then in turn scored on a two-run home run by Encarnacion. New York got on the board in the fifth inning as Casey McGehee doubled to knock in Andruw Jones. Toronto shot back in their half of the inning on a 3-RBI Davis double that swept in Mathis, Yan Gomes, and Adeiny Hechavarria. The Yankees answered in the sixth inning on a Derek Jeter solo home run and a two-run long ball from Robinson Cano that brought in Nick Swisher. New York pulled closer in the seventh inning when Jayson Nix doubled Curtis Granderson across the plate before scoring on a Jeter double, followed by Jeter scoring when Swisher singled. They got no closer, falling 10-7, with the win going to Happ, the save to Casey Janssen as his fifteenth of the season, and the loss was stuck on Hughes.

Back stateside, the Miami Marlins host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chris Capuano and Wade LeBlanc are the underrated pitchers. Los Angeles began in the third inning as Hanley Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly to get the pitcher Capuano home. The Dodgers padded the lead in the eighth inning when Ramirez singled in Mark Ellis and Matt Kemp, followed by Andre Ethier singling to finish Ramirez's trip around, and Luis Cruz doubling to get Ethier the rest of the way home. This made it 5-0, a final, with Capuano earning a strong win, while LeBlanc had no help in the loss.

Back to the north a bit, the Baltimore Orioles host the Kansas City Royals. Bruce Chen and Tommy Hunter are the uninspiring pitchers. Baltimore led off in the second inning with a two-run home run by Manny Machado, also scoring Mark Reynolds. Kansas City replied in the fourth inning as Mike Moustakas hit a solo home run and Brayan Pena hit a sacrifice fly to get Billy Butler home. The Royals added on in the fifth inning as Moustakas grounded into a double play to score Alex Gordon. The Orioles got on the board with a Nick Markakis solo shot in the bottom of the fifth. Baltimore took the lead again in the sixth inning as Reynolds singled to knock in Adam Jones. The Orioles got another in the eighth inning as Nate McLouth scored on a passed ball. This made the final 5-3, with Luis Ayala in line for the win, Jim Johnson finished off for the save, and Chen was handed the loss.

Moving into Philadelphia, where the Phillies host the St. Louis Cardinals. Lance Lynn and Vance Worley are the young pitchers. St. Louis quickly opened in the first inning on a Matt Carpenter double to score Jon Jay. Philadelphia answered as Chase Utley tripled to force in Juan Pierre and Kevin Frandsen before coming the final 90 feet when Ryan Howard singled. The Cardinals answered in the third inning on a Carlos Beltran double to bring in Matt Holliday. St. Louis pulled ahead in the fourth inning with Jay singling, which combined with an error to get Rafael Furcal home, followed by Carpenter singling to plate Jay. The Phillies retied it in their half of the inning with a Howard solo home run. The Cardinals gained the lead in the eighth inning as Jay doubled Tony Cruz and David Freese across the dish, followed by Carpenter singling to knock in Jay. Philadelphia retied it in their half of the inning on a three-run home run by Erik Kratz, sweeping in Utley and Nate Schierholtz. The Phillies won in the eleventh inning on a Pierre single that drove in Jimmy Rollins for an 8-7 final. Jeremy Horst was in line for the win, while Barret Browning was pinned with the loss.

Across the state, the Pittsburgh Pirates host the San Diego Padres. Ross Ohlendorf and Erik Bedard will take their turns in the rotation. San Diego established a first inning lead when Chris Denorfia hit a solo home run, followed by Jesus Guzman singling in Logan Forsythe, and Cameron Maybin reaching on an error that allowed both Carlos Quentin and Guzman to get home. The Padres got another in the second inning as Chase Headley grounded out to allow Forsythe to dash home. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third inning as Neil Walker singled in the pitcher Bedard. The Pirates stormed ahead in the fourth inning when Michael McKenry walked with the bases loaded to force in Garrett Jones, followed by a Clint Barmes grand slam to sweep in Gaby Sanchez, Pedro Alvarez, and McKenry, an Andrew McCutchen double to plate Bedard and Walker, a triple from Jones to finish McCutchen's trip around, and a McKenry single to get Jones the rest of the way home. Pittsburgh got another in the seventh inning on a Walker solo shot. The scoring stopped here at 11-5, with Bedard earning the win and Ohlendorf was on the hook for the loss.

Down in Houston, the Astros host the Milwaukee Brewers. Yovani Gallardo and Jordan Lyles are penciled in to pitch. Houston started in the first inning as Marwin Gonzalez doubled home Tyler Greene. Milwaukee answered in the second inning as the pitcher Gallardo singled to drive in Carlos Gomez. The Brewers added on in the fifth inning as Rickie Weeks reached on a fielder's choice to get Jean Segura home, followed by Ryan Braun grounding out to bring in Norichika Aoki. The Astros replied in their half of the inning on a Gonzalez groundout to give Chris Snyder time to come home. Milwaukee shot back in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Corey Hart. The Brewers got another in the eighth inning as Martin Maldonado doubled to drive in Hart. Houston took one back in their half of the eighth as Scott Moore singled Gonzalez across the dish. They couldn't tie it up, losing 5-3, with Gallardo notching the win, Kameron Loe picking up the spot save, and Lyles got the unlucky loss.

Northward to Minnesota, as the Twins host the Tampa Bay Rays. James Shields and Scott Diamond take the mound. Tampa Bay began with a first inning solo home run by Desmond Jennings. The Rays got another in the second inning on a Jeff Keppinger solo shot. Minnesota tied it in the bottom of the second as Justin Morneau hit a two-run home run, also scoring Josh Willingham. The Twins gained the lead in the third inning as Joe Mauer singled home Denard Span. Tampa Bay retied it in the fifth inning when Sean Rodriguez doubled in Ryan Roberts. The Rays rallied ahead in the tenth inning with Keppinger grounding out to get Jennings home, Roberts singling both B.J. Upton and Sam Fuld across the dish, and Matt Joyce doubling to drive in Carlos Pena. They held on for the 7-3 win, which was picked up by Kyle Farnsworth, while Fernando Rodney turned the save, and Alex Burnett was dealt the loss.

Down in Chicago, the White Sox host the Oakland Athletics. Bartolo Colon and Chris Sale are the staff aces pitching. Chicago opened with a third inning Adam Dunn sacrifice fly to get Alejandro De Aza home. Oakland tied it with a sixth inning Jonny Gomes solo home run. The White Sox gained the lead back in the bottom of the sixth as A.J. Pierzynski hit a two-run home run, also scoring Alex Rios, followed by Dewayne Wise singling in Dayan Viciedo, and Gordon Beckham hitting a 2-RBI single to plate both Wise and Ray Olmedo. The Athletics took one back in the seventh inning as Adam Rosales hit a solo shot. Chicago answered again in their half of the inning as Alexei Ramirez grounded out, which combined with an error to allow Pierzynski safe passage home. Oakland tried a ninth inning rally as Derek Norris hit a solo home run, but this only made the final 7-3 in the end. Sale notched the win and Colon was stuck with the loss.

On the north side of Chicago, the Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds. Johnny Cueto faces a lesser foe in Brooks Raley. Cincinnati started with a fifth inning two-run home run by Jay Bruce, also scoring Todd Frazier. The Reds added on in the sixth inning as Ryan Ludwick hit a solo home run. This was good for a 3-0 final, with Cueto pitching a strong win, Aroldis Chapman shutting the door for the save, and Raley was handed the loss.

Back into Texas, with the Rangers hosting the Detroit Tigers. Rick Porcello is mismatched with Yu Darvish. Texas got things going in the first inning as Josh Hamilton hit a two-run home run, also scoring Elvis Andrus. The Rangers rallied to extend the lead in the third inning as Ian Kinsler doubled in Mitch Moreland, before scoring when Andrus reached on an error, and then Hamilton singled Andrus the rest of the way home. Texas got another in the fourth inning on a Kinsler sacrifice fly to bring in Geovany Soto. Detroit got on the board in the fifth inning when Omar Infante doubled to plate Alex Avila before scoring alongside Jhonny Peralta on a Miguel Cabrera double. The Rangers padded the lead in the seventh inning as Andrus stole third while Hamilton stole second, and after an error, Andrus scored, followed by Hamilton later scoring on a wild pitch. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 8-3. Darvish got the win, while Porcello took the loss, although it's not totally his fault.

Over in Anaheim, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host the Seattle Mariners. Jason Vargas and Jered Weaver pace the game. Seattle was first to score with a second inning Jesus Montero solo home run. Los Angeles tied it in the bottom of the second as Vernon Wells hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Howie Kendrick. The Mariners took the lead again in the sixth inning as Montero hit a two-run home run, also scoring John Jaso. Seattle extended the lead in the ninth inning as Chone Figgins tripled to force in Jaso, making the final 4-1. Vargas had a strong win, Tom Wilhelmsen closed out for the save, and Weaver took an unlucky loss.

Up in San Francisco, the Giants host the Colorado Rockies. Alex White and Barry Zito are the back-of-the-rotation starters. San Francisco stormed ahead in the first inning as Melky Cabrera singled in both Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro, before scoring on a Brandon Belt single. Colorado got some back in the third inning as Eric Young doubled to knock in DJ LeMahieu before scoring on a double from Josh Rutledge. The Rockies tied it in the fourth inning as White hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Willin Rosario. The Giants took the lead back in the fifth inning when Ryan Theriot doubled to drive in Belt. Colorado shot back in the sixth inning as LeMahieu doubled to plate Jordan Pacheco and then finished his trip on a Carlos Torres single. The Rockies got another in the seventh inning as Pacheco hit a sacrifice fly to allow Dexter Fowler to get home. San Francisco answered in the eighth inning with a Cabrera singled to drive in Brandon Crawford, followed by a Buster Posey sacrifice fly to bring around Joaquin Arias before Hunter Pence cleared the bases with a three-run home run, sweeping in Pagan and Cabrera. They held on to win 9-6, with the win belonging to Clay Hensley and the loss stuck on Matt Belisle.

Down in Arizona, the Diamondbacks host the Washington Nationals. Ross Detwiler and Patrick Corbin are the underrated pitchers. Arizona opened when Paul Goldschmidt scored in the second inning on an error. The Diamondbacks added on as Goldschmidt doubled in the third inning, plating both Chris Young and Jason Kubel. Arizona extended the lead in the fifth inning when Aaron Hill doubled home Young, followed by Goldschmidt singling Hill in, Justin Upton doubling to finish Goldschmidt's trip around, and Miguel Montero doubling to drive in Upton. Washington got on the board in the seventh inning with Ryan Zimmerman singling to score Danny Espinosa, followed by Adam LaRoche hitting a sacrifice fly to bring in Chad Tracy. The Nationals got some more in the ninth inning as Jayson Werth grounded out to get Cesar Izturis home and Tyler Moore singled to knock in Michael Morse, but they got no closer, losing 7-4. Corbin got the win, J.J. Putz closed out for the save, and Detwiler was not freed from the loss.

Finally, well to the northeast, the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves. Ben Sheets and Jonathon Niese are on the hill. New York began in the first inning as David Wright doubled home Mike Baxter, before scoring on an Ike Davis single. Atlanta got on the board in the second inning as Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run. The Mets shot back in their half of the inning as Ruben Tejada singled to plate Rob Johnson. New York got another in the fifth inning as Davis singled to get Wright home. The Mets struck again in the sixth inning on a Jordany Valdespin solo shot. New York padded the lead in the eighth inning as Andres Torres singled to drive in Valdespin. The Braves tried a ninth inning rally with bases-loaded walks drawn by Juan Francisco and Michael Bourn to force in Chipper Jones and Freeman, followed by a 2-RBI Martin Prado double to knokc in both Janish and Francisco, but they couldn't tie the game and fell 6-5. Niese was saved from a no-decision and picked up the win, Jon Rauch got the last out for a save, and Sheets was not freed from the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 128 2012

Full schedule of games again, beginning up in...

Canada, as the Toronto Blue Jays host the New York Yankees. Ivan Nova and Aaron Laffey are the uninspiring starters. New York started in the fourth inning as Jayson Nix singled in Mark Teixeira before coming home alongside Andruw Jones on a three-run home run by Casey McGehee. Toronto got on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Edwin Encarnacion singled to plate Rajai Davis. The Yankees shot back in the sixth inning as Derek Jeter hit a ground rule double to force in McGehee. The Blue Jays took it back in the eighth inning as Encarnacion singled Davis safely home again. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 5-2. Nova got the win, Rafael Soriano finished for a save, and Laffey was given the loss.

Back stateside, the Chicago Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds. Bronson Arroyo and Travis Wood make the starts. Chicago led off in the second inning as David DeJesus singled in both Luis Valbuena and Bryan LaHair. Cincinnati answered in the fourth inning on a Todd Frazier single to bring in Brandon Phillips. The Reds took the lead in the eighth inning as Ryan Ludwick doubled, plating both Drew Stubbs and Phillips, followed by Wilson Valdez singling to knock in Chris Heisey. This ended the scoring at 4-2, with the win going to Arroyo, the save to Aroldis Chapman, and the loss to James Russell.

Out west, the San Francisco Giants host the Colorado Rockies. Drew Pomeranz is mismatched with Matt Cain. San Francisco got going in the second inning as Joaquin Arias hit a sacrifice fly to get Hunter Pence home and Cain singled to knock in Brett Pill. The Giants added on with a two-run home run by Buster Posey in the third inning, also scoring Melky Cabrera. San Francisco struck again in the fifth inning when Pence doubled home Marco Scutaro. Colorado got on the board with a sixth inning Josh Rutledge fielder's choice that allowed DJ LeMahieu to come home. The Giants replied in their half of the inning as Angel Pagan tripled to force in Ryan Theriot and Arias before scoring on a single by Scutaro. The Rockies answered in the eighth inning as LeMahieu hit a solo home run. San Francisco shot back with Arias scoring on a wild pitch. Colorado tried a ninth inning rally as Chris Nelson singled to plate Tyler Colvin, but this only made the final 9-3. Cain was given the win and Pomeranz was dealt the loss.

Back to the east, the Cleveland Indians host the Boston Red Sox. Franklin Morales and Zach McAllister are the back-of-the-rotation pitchers. Cleveland struck first on a third inning Brent Lillibridge solo home run. Boston took the lead in the fourth inning when Adrian Gonzalez doubled in both Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford. The Indians retied it in the fifth inning on a Lillibridge single to drive in Michael Brantley. Cleveland took the lead with a sixth inning Brantley sacrifice fly to bring in Asdrubal Cabrera. The Indians added on in the seventh inning when Lou Marson sacrificed to get Lillibridge home. Cleveland got another in the eighth inning as Ezequiel Carrera singled Carlos Santana across the dish. This produced the final of 5-2, with McAllister getting the win, Chris Perez turning the save, and Morales was handed the loss.

Into Pennsylvania, as the Philadelphia Phillies host the St. Louis Cardinals. Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee are on the mound. Philadelphia began in the first inning when Ryan Howard grounded into a fielder's choice to bring in Domonic Brown. St. Louis answered in the sixth inning as Matt Holliday hit a three-run home run, sweeping in Jon Jay and Allen Craig. The Cardinals added on in the eighth inning when Carlos Beltran singled in Craig. This made the final 4-1, with Westbrook notching the win, Jason Motte converting the save, and Lee took the loss.

Dow south in Houston, the Astros host the Milwaukee Brewers. Marco Estrada and Dallas Keuchel are the little known starters. Houston got going in the first inning as Steve Pearce singled both Tyler Greene and Jose Altuve home. Milwaukee answered in the second inning with Corey Hart reaching on an error to get Aramis Ramirez home and Jonathan Lucroy hitting a sacrifice fly to knock in Hart. The Astros took the lead again in the third inning as Bret Wallace singled, which combined with an error to get Altuve home, before Wallace was forced in by a triple from Pearce. The Brewers shot back in the fifth inning as Norichika Aoki doubled home both Lucroy and Jean Segura. Houston took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Greene hit a solo home run. Milwaukee tied it in the ninth inning as Segura grounded out, allowing Rickie Weeks to score. The Astros won 6-5 in the tenth inning as Scott Moore singled, driving in Altuve to end the game. Wilton Lopez picked up the win while Jim Henderson was on the hook for the loss.

Back to Pennsylvania, as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the San Diego Padres. Jason Marquis and A.J. Burnett have the green light to pitch. San Diego quickly opened with a first inning Chase Headley solo home run. The Padres added on in the third inning as Headley grounded out to bring in Everth Cabrera. San Diego struck again in the fourth inning on a Cameron Maybin single that scored Will Venable. The Padres padded the lead in the sixth inning as Venable hit a solo shot, followed by Headley drawing a bases-loaded walk to force in Marquis. The scoring stopped here, leaving the final at 5-0. Marquis had a complete game shutout of two hits and a walk, while Burnett had no support in the loss.

Over in Baltimore, the Orioles host the Kansas City Royals and a long rain delay. Luis Mendoza and Chris Tillman made the starts despite the showers. When the scoring began, it started with Kansas City in the first inning as Alex Gordon hit a solo home run to lead off the game. The Royals struck again in the second inning as Salvador Perez hit a two-run home run, also scoring Lorenzo Cain. Kansas City got another in the third inning on a Billy Butler solo shot. The Royals padded the lead in the sixth inning when Eric Hosmer singled in Perez, before stealing second base while Jeff Francoeur stole home/fourth base. Kansas City added on in the seventh inning on another Gordon solo home run. Baltimore got on the board in the bottom of the seventh as Manny Machado doubled to drive in Wilson Betemit, followed by Omar Quintanilla singling both Chris Davis and Machado all the way home. They got no closer, falling 7-3, with Mendoza picking up the win and Tillman suffering the loss. 

Westward to Chicago, as the White Sox host the Oakland Athletics. Travis Blackley and Francisco Liriano took their turns in the rotation. Chicago led off in the second inning as Dayan Viciedo grounded out to bring in A.J. Pierzynski and Tyler Flowers doubled to plate Alexei Ramirez. Oakland rallied ahead in the third inning as Chris Carter singled in both Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick, followed by a Derek Norris ground rule double to force in both Yoenis Cespedes and Carter, and an Adam Rosales single brought around Brandon Inge. The Athletics got another in the fourth inning as Reddick singled home Crisp. The White Sox took one back in the bottom of the fourth when Flowers singled to plate Viciedo. Chicago pulled closer in the fifth inning with a two-run home run by Kevin Youkilis, also scoring Alejandro De Aza. The White Sox tied the game in the sixth inning on a Flowers solo home run. Chicago took the lead in the seventh inning when Pierzynski singled to knock in Youkilis. Oakland tied it in the eighth inning with a Jonny Gomes solo shot and an Inge single to finish Cespedes' trip. The Athletics got another in the ninth inning as Gomes singled home Crisp for a 9-7 final. Ryan Cook was in line for the win, Grant Balfour picked up the spot save, and Matt Thornton was stuck holding the loss.

Back to the east, as the New York Mets welcome the Atlanta Braves. Kris Medlen and Johan Santana are tabbed to start. Atlanta opened in the first inning with a 2-RBI Freddie Freeman double, scoring both Michael Bourn and Reed Johnson. The Braves rallied to extend the lead in the second inning as Medlen singled home Dan Uggla, Bourn did the same for Paul Janish, Jason Heyward singled to finish Medlen's trip around, Chipper Jones singled to drive in Bourn, and then Freeman hit a three-run home run to sweep in both Heyward and Bourn as well as himself. New York replied meekly in the bottom of the second with an Andres Torres single to get Ike Davis home. The Mets added on in the eighth inning with Ruben Tejada doubling to score Ronny Cedeno before coming home on a David Wright single. This made the eventual final 9-3, with the win going to Medlen and the loss to Santana.

To the west again, with the Minnesota Twins hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. David Price faces a lesser foe in Nick Blackburn. Tampa Bay began in the first inning with a two-run home run by B.J. Upton, also scoring Desmond Jennings, followed by a Matt Joyce solo home run. Minnesota answered in the second inning as Darin Mastroianni singled to knock in Josh Willingham. The Rays shot back in the fifth inning on an Upton solo shot. The Twins replied as Brian Dozier hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. The scoring stopped here, with the final being 4-2, giving Price the win, Fernando Rodney converted his thirty-fifth save of the season, and Blackburn was stuck with the loss.

Into Florida, as the Miami Marlins host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Joe Blanton and Ricky Nolasco are the veteran pitchers. Los Angeles got things going in the fourth inning as Shane Victorino grounded into a fielder's choice to get A.J. Ellis home. The Dodgers got another in the fifth inning as Andre Ethier singled to knock in Matt Kemp. Miami rallied to the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Nick Green doubled in Donovan Solano before scoring on a John Buck double, and then Buck scored when Gorkys Hernandez sacrificed, followed by Justin Ruggiano singling to plate Austin Kearns. The Marlins padded the lead in the eighth inning with Carlos Lee doubling both Hernandez and Jose Reyes home, followed by Solano singling to finish Lee's trip around. Los Angeles tried a ninth inning rally when Kemp grounded out to allow Victorino to come home. This only made the final 7-3, with the win going to Nolasco and the loss was pinned on Blanton.

Across the south, the Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers. Justin Verlander and Derek Holland take the hill. Detroit led off with a leadoff first inning solo home run by Austin Jackson. Texas tied it in the third inning as Nelson Cruz singled to knock in Josh Hamilton. The Rangers won 2-1 in the ninth inning as Mike Olt singled to drive in Cruz. Mike Adams was in line for the win and Brayan Villarreal was on the hook for the loss.

Further to the west, the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Washington Nationals. Edwin Jackson and Wade Miley pace the game. Washington was first on the board in the first inning as Ryan Zimmerman doubled, which combined with an error to get Danny Espinosa home. Arizona tied it in the bottom of the first with an Aaron Hill solo home run. The Diamondbacks took the lead in the second inning when Miguel Montero tripled to force in Justin Upton before scoring on a Stephen Drew single. Arizona got another in the third inning as Chris Johnson's sacrifice fly allowed safe passage home for Jason Kubel. The Nationals rallied back in the fifth inning as Jayson Werth doubled in Steve Lombardozzi, before scoring alongside Espinosa on a Zimmerman single, followed by Michael Morse doubling in Zimmerman and then scoring on a Jesus Flores single. The Diamondbacks pulled closer in the sixth inning when Ryan Wheeler doubled to drive in Gerardo Parra. They got no closer, falling 6-5, with Jackson getting an ugly win, Tyler Clippard shutting the door for the save, and Miley was not freed from the loss.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim host the Seattle Mariners. Hisashi Iwakuma and Dan Haren pace the game. Seattle began in the second inning as Trayvon Robinson singled home Mike Carp, followed by Dustin Ackley singling both Miguel Olivo and Robinson home. The Mariners got another in the third inning on a John Jaso solo home run. Seattle rallied to extend the lead in the fourth inning as Brendan Ryan hit a sacrifice fly that scored Olivo, Dustin Ackley reached on an error that allowed Robinson to dash home, and Jaso singled to finish Ackley's trip around. Los Angeles got on the board in the fifth inning as Vernon Wells singled to knock in Erick Aybar. The Angels pulled closer in the eighth inning with a two-run home run by Wells, also scoring Aybar. Los Angeles tried a ninth inning rally on a Kendrys Morales solo shot, but they got no closer and lost 7-4. Iwakuma notched the win, while Haren was responsible for a messy loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

MLB Day 127 2012

Back to the full schedule today, beginning with...

A Wrigley Field matinee, as the Chicago Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds. Homer Bailey and Justin Germano are the little known pitchers. Chicago began with a first inning Alfonso Soriano fielder's choice to bring in David DeJesus. Cincinnati answered in the second inning as Todd Frazier doubled in Ryan Ludwick before scoring on a single by the pitcher Bailey. The Reds added on in the third inning with Ludwick hitting a two-run home run, also scoring Brandon Phillips, followed by Devin Mesoraco reaching on an error that got Xavier Paul home. The Cubs replied in the bottom of the third when Soriano doubled both Darwin Barney and Anthony Rizzo safely home. Cincinnati shot back in the sixth inning as Drew Stubbs scored on a pair of errors, followed by Frazier singling to plate both Phillips and Ludwick. Chicago answered in their half of the inning as Welington Castillo doubled to knock in Josh Vitters. The Cubs got closer in the seventh inning as Starlin Castro doubled home both DeJesus and Barney. The Reds extended the lead again in the eighth inning on a Frazier single to give Ludwick time to dash home. Chicago fired back in the bottom of the eighth as Castillo doubled Brett Jackson in, before scoring on DeJesus double. Cincinnati padded the lead with a ninth inning Zack Cozart double to knock in Ryan Hanigan. This made it 10-8, a final, with Bailey notching the win, Aroldis Chapman turning the save, Germano taking the loss, and the bullpens sucking in almost equal proportions.

Over in Baltimore, the Orioles host the Kansas City Royals. Luke Hochevar and Miguel Gonzalez are the uninspiring pitchers. Kansas City started with a second inning Salvador Perez solo home run. Baltimore answered in the bottom of the second as Omar Quintanilla hit a two-run home run, also scoring Wilson Betemit. The Orioles added on with a fifth inning Manny Machado solo shot. Baltimore added on in the sixth inning as Nate McLouth doubled in Matt Wieters, before scoring alongside Betemit on a three-run home run by Machado. This ended the scoring at 7-1, with the win going to Gonzalez and the loss to Hochevar.

Back west, the Cleveland Indians host the Boston Red Sox. Clay Buchholz and Chris Seddon are the struggling pitchers. Cleveland was first to score with a first inning Asdrubal Cabrera solo home run. Boston tied it in the fourth inning as Dustin Pedroia singled in Mike Aviles. The Red Sox took the lead in the sixth inning with a two-run home run from Cody Ross, also scoring Pedroia. The Indians got one back in the bottom of the sixth with an Ezequiel Carrera sacrifice fly to bring in Jason Donald. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2. Buchholz went the distance for the win, allowing just two hits and two runs, only one of which was earned, while Seddon had little help in the loss.

Into Pennsylvania, as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the San Diego Padres. Edinson Volquez and James McDonald take the mound. San Diego opened with a leadoff solo home run by Alexi Amarista. Pittsburgh tied it in the second inning on a Starling Marte single to bring in Clint Barmes. The Pirates took the lead in the third inning on a Garrett Jones solo shot. Pittsburgh padded the lead with a fifth inning three-run Travis Snider home run, sweeping Barmes and the pitcher McDonald, followed by Pedro Alvarez hitting a 2-RBI single to score both Andrew McCutchen and Jones. The Padres replied in the fifth inning as Yonder Alonso doubled in both Cameron Maybin and John Baker, before he scored on a single from Amarista, and then they tied it as Chase Headley hit a three-run home run that swept home Amarista and Everth Cabrera. The Pirates took the lead back with a sixth inning Rod Barajas single to drive in Jones. San Diego took the lead in the seventh inning as Headley went yard again on a two-run home run, bringing Cabrera with him. They held to win by a 9-8 margin, with the win belonging to Brad Brach, the save turned by Huston Street, and the loss was pinned on Tony Watson.

Across the state, the Philadelphia Phillies welcome the St. Louis Cardinals. Kyle Lohse and Roy Halladay pace the game. St. Louis led off with a second inning Carlos Beltran solo home run. Philadelphia tied it in their half of the inning as Domonic Brown singled home Ryan Howard. The Phillies took the lead in the eighth inning as Chase Utley hit a two-run home run, also scoring Jimmy Rollins. They held on for a 3-1 win, with Halladay earning the win, Jonathan Papelbon closing for his twenty-fifth save of the year, and Barret Browning was responsible for the loss.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays host the New York Yankees. Freddy Garcia and Ricky Romero try to right the ship with their starts. New York got going in the second inning as Russell Martin drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Robinson Cano, followed by Ichiro Suzuki grounding into a fielder's choice to bring in Andruw Jones. Toronto got on the board in the bottom of the second as Kelly Johnson hit a solo home run. The Yankees replied in the third inning on a Cano single to knock in Nick Swisher. The Blue Jays answered in the fourth inning as Johnson double to plate Yunel Escobar. New York extended the lead in the eighth inning on a Mark Teixeira solo shot, followed by Suzuki singling both Jayson Nix and Martin. Toronto took one back in the bottom of the eighth as Colby Rasmus grounded into a double play that allowed Anthony Gose to score. The Yankees took it back on a ninth inning Swisher double to drive in Derek Jeter, before coming the rest of the way home on a Raul Ibanez single, followed by Suzuki double to score both Cano and Ibanez. The Blue Jays cut the final deficit to 10-4 with a Jeff Mathis single to knock in David Cooper in the bottom of the ninth, but they came no closer. Garcia was credited with the win, while Romero was pinned with the loss.

Back stateside, the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves. Paul Maholm and Matt Harvey get the starting nods. Atlanta struck first in the first inning on a two-run Jason Heyward home run, also scoring Michael Bourn. The Braves padded the lead in the eighth inning as Dan Uggla hit a two-run home run, sweeping in Freddie Freeman. This was more than enough, leaving the final at 4-0, with Maholm pitching a three-hit complete game shutout, and Harvey had no support in the loss.

Down in Florida, the Miami Marlins host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw and Mark Buehrle are the staff aces pitching. Miami began with a first inning Justin Ruggiano solo home run. Los Angeles rallied ahead in the sixth inning when Matt Kemp doubled in Shane Victorino before scoring on a Hanley Ramirez single, who then scored on a two-run home run by Juan Rivera. The Marlins answered in their half of the inning as Carlos Lee hit a sacrifice fly to get Gorkys Hernandez home. The Dodgers shot back in the seventh inning as Ramirez singled A.J. Ellis across the dish. This gave them a 5-2 lead, which was a final, where Kershaw notched the win, Kenley Jansen tossed the save, and Buehrle was handed the loss.

A bit west, the Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers. Max Scherzer and Scott Feldman are the inconsistent pitchers. Texas got things going with a first inning Josh Hamilton solo home run. The Rangers struck again in the third inning as Elvis Andrus singled to knock in Ian Kinsler. Detroit got on the board in the fourth inning as Miguel Cabrera singled home Austin Jackson. The Tigers took a sixth inning lead as Prince Fielder ripped a three-run home run, sweeping in Andy Dirks and Cabrera, followed by Delmon Young doubling in Brennan Boesch. Detroit added on in the seventh inning as Jackson hit an inside-the-park solo shot. This made it 6-2, a final, with Scherzer getting the win and Feldman was handed the loss.

Staying in the state, the Houston Astros host the Milwaukee Brewers. Mark Rogers and Bud Norris are the back-of-the-rotation pitchers. Milwaukee opened with a first inning Ryan Braun double to knock in Nyjer Morgan. The Brewers got another in the second inning with Rickie Weeks scoring on a wild pitch. Houston got on the board in the fifth inning with a Carlos Corporan single to drive in Scott Moore. Milwaukee shot back in the seventh inning as Jean Segura singled Weeks safely home. The Astros pulled closer in the eighth inning with a Corporan solo home run. Houston attempted a ninth inning rally with Steve Pearce singling to bring in Tyler Greene to tie the game, followed by the go-ahead Brian Bogusevic single that finished Pearce's trip around and the game. The final was 4-3, Wilton Lopez was handed the win, and John Axford was on the hook for another loss.

North into Minnesota, as the Twins host the Tampa Bay Rays. Jeremy Hellickson and Cole De Vries are the young pitchers. Tampa Bay wasted no time in scoring first in the first inning as Matt Joyce hit a two-run home run, also scoring Desmond Jennings. Minnesota shot back in their half of the inning on a Josh Willingham single to drive in Joe Mauer. The Rays added on in the second inning as Ryan Roberts reached on an error that allowed Carlos Pena to get home, followed by Jose Molina singling in Jeff Keppinger, Jennings doubling to finish Roberts' trip around, and then both Molina and Jennings scored on a double from Joyce, before he came home on an Evan Longoria single. The Twins got one back in the third inning as Mauer singled to knock in Jamey Carroll. Minnesota got another in the fourth inning as Ryan Doumit hit a solo home run. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the sixth inning with a Molina single that plated both Keppinger and Roberts, followed by B.J. Upton doubling Molina and Jennings across the dish. The Twins took some back in the eighth inning when Alexi Casilla singled to get Darin Mastroianni home, followed by Brian Dozier hitting a sacrifice fly that scored Justin Morneau. Minnesota got another in the ninth inning as Ben Revere grounded out to get Denard Span safely home, but this only made the final 12-6. Hellickson got the win and De Vries was dealt the loss.

Back down in Chicago, the White Sox host the Oakland Athletics. Brandon McCarthy returns from the disable list to oppose Gavin Floyd in pitching. Oakland was first on the board with a first inning Josh Reddick groundout that got Coco Crisp home. The Athletics added on in the second inning with a two-run home run by Brandon Moss, also scoring Chris Carter. Chicago got one back in the bottom of the second as A.J. Pierzynski hit a solo home run. The White Sox pulled closer with a fourth inning Alexei Ramirez solo shot. Chicago tied it in the seventh inning as Dayan Viciedo hit a solo home run. The White Sox won it in the ninth inning on a Jordan Danks solo shot for a 4-3 walkoff win. Brett Myers was in line for the win while Pat Neshek was dinged for the loss.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Diamondbacks welcome the Washington Nationals. Stephen Strasburg and Trevor Cahill are the promising starters. Washington started in the third inning with a Bryce Harper sacrifice fly to knock in Steve Lombardozzi. Arizona tied it in the fourth inning as Chris Johnson singled home Justin Upton. The Nationals took the lead in the fifth inning with a two-run Ryan Zimmerman home run, also scoring Lombardozzi. Washington added on with a sixth inning Michael Morse solo home run. The Nationals padded the lead in the seventh inning as Adam LaRoche grounded into a fielder's choice that combined with an error to score Lombardozzi. Washington got another in the ninth as Harper hit a sacrifice fly to knock in Tyler Moore, followed by LaRoche doubling to score Lombardozzi, and a 2-RBI double from Jayson Werth to bring in both Zimmerman and LaRoche. This made the final 9-1, with Strasburg getting the win and Cahill suffering the loss.

Further west, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim host the Seattle Mariners. Felix Hernandez faces a lesser foe in Ervin Santana. Seattle led off in the third inning as Dustin Ackley hit a two-run home run, also scoring Eric Thames, followed by a three-run home run from John Jaso, sweeping in Michael Saunders and Jesus Montero. Los Angeles replied in their half of the inning with a three-run blast from Mike Trout, plating Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar. The Angels pulled closer in the fifth inning on a Trout sacrifice fly to get Kendrick and Erick Aybar across the dish. Los Angeles won it in the ninth inning as Peter Bourjos scored on a wild pitch to end the game 6-5. Ernesto Frieri was credited with the win and Josh Kinney was dealt the loss.

Finally, we end up in San Francisco, as the Giants host the Colorado Rockies. Tyler Chatwood is mismatched with Tim Lincecum. Colorado began with a third inning Dexter Fowler single to plate DJ LeMahieu. The Rockies added on in the fourth inning as Tyler Colvin singled in Willin Rosario. Colorado got another in the seventh inning as a sacrifice fly by Chris Nelson allowed Colvin to get home. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 3-0, with Chatwood earning the win, Rafael Betancourt tossing his twentieth save of the season, and Lincecum was stuck with the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 126 2012

Only nine games on today, and five of them come early, so you know it's travel day. We start in...

New York, with the Mets hosting the Miami Marlins. Josh Johnson and R.A. Dickey pace the game. New York started in the second inning as Josh Thole singled in Ike Davis. Miami tied it with a fourth inning Justin Ruggiano solo home run. The Mets retook the lead in their half of the inning on an Andres Torres double to knock in David Wright. New York added on in the sixth inning as Torres hit a solo shot. The Mets got another in the seventh as Wright singled to plate Mike Baxter. New York padded the lead in the eighth inning as Torres tripled to force in Jordany Valdespin and then came home on a Thole single. This was good for a 6-1 win, with Dickey going the distance for the win, and Johnson was stuck with the loss.

Over in Detroit, the Tigers host the New York Yankees and rain. Hiroki Kuroda and Doug Fister are on the mound. New York got the lead in the second inning as Raul Ibanez tripled in Eric Chavez and then came the final 90 feet home on an Ichiro Suzuki single. Detroit tied it in the fifth inning with a two-run home run by Alex Avila, also scoring Jhonny Peralta, and they took the lead as Andy Dirks doubled home Quintin Berry. The Yankees took the lead back in the eighth inning with back-to-back solo shots by Mark Teixeira and Chavez. They held on for a 4-3 win, with the win credited to Clay Rapada, the save picked up by Rafael Soriano, and loss was pinned on Joaquin Benoit.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Rays host the Toronto Blue Jays. Henderson Alvarez and Matt Moore are penciled in to pitch. Toronto was first on the board in the first inning as Rajai Davis scored on a balk. Tampa Bay took the lead in the second as Jose Lobaton singled both Ben Zobrist and Jeff Keppinger home, followed by B.J. Upton grounding into a fielder's choice to get Ryan Roberts home. The Rays added on in the third inning with Roberts singling to score Zobrist. Tampa Bay struck again in the fourth inning with Evan Longoria singling to plate Upton. The Rays got another in the fifth inning on a Lobaton single, driving in Carlos Pena. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the eighth inning as Longoria doubled Matt Joyce across the dish. This made it a 7-1 final, with Moore earning the win and Alvarez taking the loss.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Cardinals host the San Francisco Giants. Madison Bumgarner and Adam Wainwright are the staff aces pitching. St. Louis opened with a first inning two-run Carlos Beltran home run, also scoring Allen Craig. San Francisco got on the board in the fifth inning with a Marco Scutaro sacrifice fly that allowed Joaquin Arias to score. The Cardinals answered in the sixth inning as Craig hit a sacrifice fly to get Jon Jay home. This was enough to win 3-1, with Wainwright earning the win, Jason Motte finishing off for his twenty-fifth save of the season, and Bumgarner took an unlucky loss.

Back to the east a bit, the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Joe Saunders and Wandy Rodriguez are the veteran pitchers. Arizona led off with a first inning two-run Jason Kubel home run, also scoring Aaron Hill. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second inning as Michael McKenry singled in Gaby Sanchez, before tying it with a Jordy Mercer sacrifice fly to knock in Neil Walker, and taking the lead as Starling Marte singled to plate McKenry. The Diamondbacks took the lead again in the sixth inning on a two-run Wil Nieves home run, sweeping in Chris Johnson. Arizona added on in the seventh inning as Kubel went yard with another two-run home run, bringing Hill with him again. This made it 6-3, a final, with Saunders picking up the win, J.J. Putz earning the save, and Rodriguez was handed the loss.

Over in Ohio, the Cleveland Indians host the Boston Red Sox. Felix Doubront faces a lesser foe in Ubaldo Jimenez. Cleveland started in the first inning with a Jason Donald solo home run. Boston answered in the fourth inning on an Adrian Gonzalez two-run home run, also scoring Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox got another in the fifth inning with Pedroia singling in Jacoby Ellsbury. The Indians rallied back in the bottom of the fifth as Asdrubal Cabrera doubled in Lou Marson, Carlos Santana singled to score Donald, and Michael Brantley hit a sacrifice fly to finish Cabrera's trip around. Cleveland extended the lead in the eighth inning when Donald grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Ezequiel Carrera. They held on for a 5-3 win, with the win going to Jimenez, the save turned by Chris Perez as his thirtieth of the season, and the loss was dealt to Doubront.

On the east coast again, the Baltimore Orioles host the Kansas City Royals. Will Smith is mismatched with Wei-Yin Chen. Kansas City quickly got on the board in the first inning as Alex Gordon hit a leadoff solo home run, followed by a three-run Billy Butler home run, sweeping in Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain. The Royals added on in the third inning with Mike Moustakas doubling Butler home, before scoring on a Jeff Francoeur double. Kansas City struck again in the fifth inning as a Salvador Perez sacrifice fly allowed Butler to score. Baltimore answered in their half of the inning with a Nick Markakis sacrifice fly to get Manny Machado home. The Royals fired back in the sixth inning on an Escobar single, plating Gordon. The Orioles shot back as Matt Wieters hit a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. They got no closer, losing 8-2, with Smith picking up the win and Chen suffering the loss.

West to Chicago, where the Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds and try to dodge raindrops doing it. Mike Leake and Chris Volstad are the uninspiring pitchers. Cincinnati began in the first inning after a lengthy delay with a Zack Cozart leadoff solo home run, followed by Ryan Ludwick grounding out to get Drew Stubbs home. Chicago got on the board in their half of the inning with Anthony Rizzo singling home David DeJesus. The Reds got another in the fourth inning on a Todd Frazier solo shot. The Cubs tied it in the sixth inning as Starlin Castro hit a 2-RBI double to knock in Darwin Barney and Rizzo. Chicago took the lead in the eighth inning on a two-run home run by Alfonso Soriano, also scoring Rizzo. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 5-3, with Shawn Camp taking the win, Carlos Marmol tossing the save, and Sean Marshall was responsible for the loss.

Finally, we end in Houston, as the Astros host the Washington Nationals. Jordan Zimmermann and Lucas Harrell are on the hill. Washington opened in the fourth inning as Adam LaRoche singled in Roger Bernadina, followed by a Michael Morse sacrifice fly to score Ryan Zimmerman. The Nationals added in the sixth inning when Morse hit a solo home run. Washington struck again in the eighth inning with another Morse solo shot. The Nationals padded the lead in the ninth inning as Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly that brought in Izturis. This was it for the scoring, with the final sitting at 5-0, giving Zimmermann a dominant win and Harrell had no help in the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.