MLB Day 121 2012

Full slate on a Saturday, beginning in...

The Bronx, as the New York Yankees host the Seattle Mariners. Felix Hernandez and Hiroki Kuroda pace the game. Seattle opened in the second inning as Mike Carp singled to score John Jaso. This was it for the scoring, ending the game at 1-0, with Hernandez tossing a two-hit and two-walk complete game shutout for the win while Kuroda got little support in the loss.

Westward to Oakland, as the Athletics host the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero and A.J. Griffin receive the starting nods. Oakland started with a second inning Derek Norris double, knocking in Brandon Inge. Toronto tied it in the ninth inning on a David Cooper solo home run. The Blue Jays took the lead in the eleventh inning as Jeff Mathis struck out but Edwin Encarnacion was able to score on an error, followed by Moises Sierra doubling in Rajai Davis. They made it hold for a 3-1 win, picked up by Jesse Chavez, while Darren Oliver got the save and Jerry Blevins was handed the loss.

Back east, the Kansas City Royals host the Texas Rangers. Scott Feldman and Will Smith are the uninspiring pitchers. Texas got going in the third inning as Josh Hamilton singled in Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus. The Rangers added on in the fourth inning as Mike Olt hit a sacrifice fly to get Mike Napoli in. Kansas City got some back in the fifth inning when Chris Getz and Alex Gordon grounded out to bring in Salvador Perez and Eric Hosmer, respectively. Texas replied in the sixth inning as Olt singled to knock in Michael Young. This ended the scoring at 4-2, with the win belonging to Feldman, the save turned by Alexi Ogando, and the loss was stuck on Smith.

Further east, the Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Joe Saunders and Roy Halladay will make the starts. Philadelphia opened with a third inning Erik Kratz solo home run. The Phillies added on in the fourth inning as Kratz walked with the bases-loaded to force in Ryan Howard. Philadelphia struck again in the eighth inning when Domonic Brown singled in Kevin Frandsen. This was all they needed for a 3-0 victory, with Halladay getting a strong win, Jonathan Papelbon turning the save, and Saunders was dinged for the loss.

Into DC, as the Washington Nationals host the Miami Marlins. Mark Buehrle and Jordan Zimmerman are on the mound. Miami led off in the second inning when Gorkys Hernandez grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing Carlos Lee to score after an error, followed by John Buck doubling to finish Hernandez's trip around. Washington got one back in their half of the inning on an Adam LaRoche solo home run. The Marlins answered in the third inning as Lee singled to knock in Jose Reyes. The Nationals tied it in the bottom of the third as Ryan Zimmerman singled in the pitcher Zimmermann, followed by Michael Morse doing the same for Bryce Harper. Miami took the lead back in the fifth inning as Reyes singled, which combined with an error to get Bryan Petersen home, followed by Lee doubling to finish Reyes' trip around. Washington pulled back with a sixth inning LaRoche solo shot. The Marlins got it back in the seventh inning as Donovan Solano sacrificed to get Reyes safely home. The Nationals shot back in the eighth inning on a Steve Lombardozzi single to drive in LaRoche, before tying it on a Tyler Moore single to get Jayson Werth across the dish, followed by a go-ahead three-run home run from Danny Espinosa, sweeping in both Lombardozzi and Moore, and a Harper solo home run. Miami tried a ninth inning rally as Solano singled to get Reyes home, but they still fell 10-7. Ryan Mattheus was in line for the win while Mike Dunn was given the loss.

Back to the west, the Detroit Tigers host the Cleveland Indians. Ubaldo Jimenez is mismatched with Doug Fister. Detroit began in the second inning as Brennan Boesch tripled in Prince Fielder before scoring on a Delmon Young sacrifice fly. The Tigers added on in the fourth inning with a Jhonny Peralta triple forcing in Fielder and Alex Avila, before he scored on an Omar Infante single. Detroit struck again in the sixth inning as Infante hit a sacrifice fly to plate Young. Cleveland got on the board in the ninth inning as Jason Kipnis grounded out to knock in Ezequiel Carrera, but this only made it 6-1 in the end. Fister earned the win and Jimenez was dealt the loss.

Down in Chicago, the White Sox host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Ervin Santana and Gavin Floyd are the struggling starters. Los Angeles rallied ahead in the first inning as Albert Pujols singled home Mike Trout, followed by Mark Trumbo grounding into a fielder's choice to bring in Maicer Izturis, and Howie Kendrick walked with the bases loaded to force in Trumbo. Chicago got on the board in the bottom of the first as Kevin Youkilis hit a solo home run. The Angels extended the lead in the second inning as Trout scored on a wild pitch. The White Sox answered in the third inning as Paul Konerko reached on a fielder's choice to knock in Alejandro De Aza. Chicago pulled closer in the sixth inning on an A.J. Pierzynski solo shot. Los Angeles shot back in the seventh inning on a Pujols solo home run. The White Sox tied it in the bottom of the seventh as Youkilis hit a two-run home run, also scoring De Aza. The Angels took the lead again in the tenth inning on a Kendrick single to drive in Alberto Callaspo. This was all they needed to win 6-5, with the win credited to Kevin Jepsen, the save converted by Ernesto Frieri, and the loss pinned on Matt Thornton.

Over in Ohio, the Cincinnati Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates. James McDonald and Mike Leake take their turns in the rotation. Cincinnati struck first with a first inning Scott Rolen single to score both Zack Cozart and Drew Stubbs. Pittsburgh replied in the second inning on a Michael McKenry solo home run. The Pirates tied it in the third inning as Neil Walker's sacrifice fly got Alex Presley home. The Reds rallied ahead in the bottom of the third as Ryan Ludwick doubled Stubbs home and Todd Frazier singled to knock in Jay Bruce. Pittsburgh got one back in the fourth inning on a Josh Harrison solo shot. The Pirates tied it again in the sixth inning on a Travis Snider sacrifice fly, allowing Garrett Jones to dash home. Cincinnati took the lead in the eighth inning as Frazier grounded out, giving Rolen time to score. They held on from here, winning 5-4, with the win going to Jonathan Broxton, the save to Aroldis Chapman, and the loss to Jared Hughes.

South to Atlanta, as the Braves host the Houston Astros. Lucas Harrell and Paul Maholm will receive the starting nods. Houston led off with a fourth inning two-run Justin Maxwell home run, also scoring Ben Francisco. Atlanta got one back in the sixth inning as Dan Uggla singled in both Chipper Jones and Freddie Freeman. The Astros took the lead again in the seventh inning on a Maxwell solo home run. They stayed ahead 3-2 for the win, picked up by Harrell, while Wilton Lopez turned the save, and Maholm was dinged for the loss.

South again into Tampa Bay, as the Rays host the Baltimore Orioles. Wei-Yin Chen and Jeremy Hellickson are the young pitchers. Baltimore wasted little in scoring in the first inning as Matt Wieters singled home Nick Markakis. The Orioles added on in the second inning with a Markakis single to drive in Nate McLouth. Baltimore padded the lead in the fourth inning on a 2-RBI single from Chris Davis, plating both Mark Reynolds and Markakis. This ended the scoring at 4-0, with Chen earning the win and Hellickson getting no run support in the loss.

Northward to Boston, as the Red Sox host the Minnesota Twins. Cole De Vries and Clay Buchholz will be penciled in to pitch. Boston started with a first inning Carl Crawford double to knock in Ryan Kalish. The Red Sox added on in the second inning on a Mike Aviles solo home run. Minnesota got on the board in the fifth inning as Ben Revere singled, which combined with an error to bring in Jamey Carroll. The Twins tied it in the eighth inning on a Justin Morneau sacrifice fly to score Denard Span. Boston took the lead back in the bottom of the eighth when Pedro Ciriaco hit a solo shot, followed by Cody Ross singling Dustin Pedroia across the dish. Minnesota rallied back in the ninth inning with Carroll singling in Alexi Casilla before scoring alongside Revere and a three-run home run from Joe Mauer. This was all they needed for a 6-4 win, which went to Alex Burnett, while Jared Burton tossed a spot save, and Alfredo Aceves was responsible for the loss.

Back toward the west, the St. Louis Cardinals host the Milwaukee Brewers. Mark Rogers and Adam Wainwright are tabbed to start. Milwaukee quickly opened with a first inning Ryan Braun sacrifice fly to get Carlos Gomez home. St. Louis tied it in the second inning as Carlos Beltran hit a solo home run. The Cardinals rallied to the lead in the third inning with Wainwright doubling in Daniel Descalso before scoring on an Allen Craig single, and then Yadier Molina hit a 2-RBI single to plate both Craig and Matt Holliday. St. Louis got another in the sixth inning with a Jon Jay solo shot. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 6-1, with the win going to Wainwright, who pitched a complete game, and the loss was stuck on Rogers.

Further to the west, the Colorado Rockies host the San Francisco Giants. Madison Bumgarner faces a lesser foe in Jeff Francis. San Francisco led off in the first inning as Buster Posey hit a two-run home run, also scoring Melky Cabrera. The Giants got another in the third inning with a solo home run by Cabrera. San Francisco padded the lead in the fourth inning as Joaquin Arias singled home Marco Scutaro before scoring on an Angel Pagan single, followed by Cabrera walking with the bases loaded to force in Bumgarner. Colorado got on the board in the sixth inning on a Josh Rutledge solo shot. The Rockies pulled closer in the seventh inning as Matt McBride doubled home Ramon Hernandez before scoring himself on a single from Jonathan Herrera. The Giants extended the lead in the eighth inning with Pagan singling to drive in Brandon Belt before coming home on a Ryan Theriot double, followed by Posey singling to finish Theriot's trip around and Gregor Blanco hitting a sacrifice fly to allow Cabrera to dash home. Colorado answered in their half of the inning as Dexter Fowler scored on a wild pitch and Hernandez doubling Carlos Gonzalez across the dish. San Francisco shot back with a ninth inning Pagan solo home run. The Rockies tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth as DJ LeMahieu singled to plate Eric Young, but this just made it 11-6 as a final. Bumgarner notched the win and Francis was stuck with the loss.

Down in San Diego, the Padres host the New York Mets. Jeremy Hefner and Edinson Volquez will be sent out to pitch. New York rallied ahead in the second inning as Josh Thole walked with the bases loaded to force in Ike Davis, followed by Ruben Tejada doing the same for Daniel Murphy, and then Jordany Valdespin doubled both Mike Baxter and Thole across the dish. San Diego got on the board in the third inning as Alexi Amarista singled in Everth Cabrera. The Mets shot back in the seventh inning when Thole grounded out to bring around Murphy. New York got another in the eighth inning as Davis singled to plate Tejada. The Padres tried a ninth inning rally on a solo home run by Chase Headley, but they fell short and lost 6-2. Hefner was given the win, Frank Francisco picked up the save, and Volquez was removed early from his loss.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs. Chris Volstad and Clayton Kershaw are on the hill. Chicago began in the fourth inning as Alfonso Soriano doubled to knock in Darwin Barney. Los Angeles took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, when Matt Kemp hit a two-run home run, also scoring Mark Ellis. The Dodgers got another in the eighth inning with Hanley Ramirez reaching on an error to bring in Shane Victorino. This made it a 3-1 final, with Kershaw earning the win, Kenley Jansen converting the save, and Volstad taking the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 120 2012

Today we get a doubleheader as well as the normal full slate of games. We lead off with a pair in...

Washington, D.C., as the Nationals host the Miami Marlins. Brad Hand and John Lannan get the game one starts. Miami was first on the board in the first inning as Carlos Lee grounded into a double play, allowing Emilio Bonifacio to come home. Washington rallied ahead in the bottom of the first as Adam LaRoche singled in Ryan Zimmerman, followed by a 2-RBI Mark DeRosa single to get both Jayson Werth and LaRoche home. The Nationals got another in the third inning on a LaRoche solo home run. Washington padded the lead in the fourth inning when LaRoche drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in Danny Espinosa, followed by Tyler Moore singling to get Zimmerman home and DeRosa drawing a walk to push in Werth. The Marlins got some back in the seventh inning as Austin Kearns scored on a wild pitch, followed by Brett Hayes singling to plate Justin Ruggiano. Miami got another in the ninth inning when Bonifacio grounded into a fielder's choice, which gave Hayes time to come home, but this only made it a 7-4 final. Lannan picked up the win, Tyler Clippard tossed the save, and Hand was given the loss.

In game two, the pitchers are Josh Johnson and Gio Gonzalez. Washington got going in the first inning as Ryan Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly to get Steve Lombardozzi home. Miami answered in the sixth inning as Carlos Lee singled both Johnson and Donovan Solano home, followed by Greg Dobbs doing the same for Jose Reyes. The Marlins extended the lead in the eighth inning as Lee grounded out to knock in Reyes. Miami got another in the ninth inning on an Emilio Bonifacio single to drive in Gorkys Hernandez. The Nationals tried a rally in the bottom of the ninth as Michael Morse singled, which combined with an error to bring in Bryce Harper, but they still lost 5-2. Johnson notched the win, Steve Cishek as given the save, and Gonzalez took a loss.

Over in Philadelphia, the Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ian Kennedy and Kyle Kendrick draw the starts. Arizona got going in the second inning on a Justin Upton solo home run. The Diamondbacks added on in the fourth inning as Paul Goldschmidt hit a sacrifice fly to get Aaron Hill home, followed by a Chris Johnson single to knock in Upton. Philadelphia got on the board in their half of the inning as Chase Utley hit a solo shot. The Phillies got another in the fifth inning when Nate Schierhotlz hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Kevin Frandsen to dash home. Arizona padded the lead in the ninth inning on a Jason Kubel solo home run, and held on for a 4-2 win. Kennedy was credited with the win while J.J. Putz got his twentieth save of the season and Kendrick was handed the loss.

Into New York, as the Yankees host the Seattle Mariners. Kevin Millwood and CC Sabathia get the starting nods. New York opened in the third inning as Curtis Granderson hit a 2-RBI single, knocking in Ichiro Suzuki and Russell Martin. Seattle got one back in the fourth inning on a Casper Wells solo home run. The Yankees replied in the sixth inning on a two-run home run by Eric Chavez, also scoring Raul Ibanez. New York added on in the seventh inning when Robinson Cano singled Martin home and Ibanez did the same for Granderson. The Mariners got some back in the ninth inning on a Dustin Ackley two-run home run, sweeping in Brendan Ryan, but this wasn't enough to avoid a 6-3 loss. Sabathia went the distance for the win while Millwood didn't get a ton of help in the loss.

West to Detroit, as the Tigers host the Cleveland Indians. Justin Masterson and Anibal Sanchez are the inconsistent starters. Detroit began with a second inning Alex Avila double to bring in Brennan Boesch. Cleveland tied it in the third inning as Shin-Soo Choo singled to knock in Ezequiel Carrera. The Tigers took the lead back in the bottom of the third with Prince Fielder doubling in both Austin Jackson and Quintin Berry. Detroit rallied to extend the lead in the fourth inning with Berry doubling in Ramon Santiago before scoring on a Miguel Cabrera single, and then Fielder finished Cabrera's trip on a two-run home run. The Tigers struck again in the sixth inning as Andy Dirks singled, plating Cabrera, followed by Avila doing the same for Fielder, and an Omar Infante sacrifice fly to finish Dirks' trip. The Indians got one back in the seventh inning as Jason Kipnis grounded out to give Jack Hannahan time to score. This was as close as it got, with the final standing at 10-2, giving Sanchez the win and Masterson the loss.

Back east, the Boston Red Sox host the Minnesota Twins. Brian Duensing and Felix Doubront are the average pitchers. Minnesota led off with a second inning Darin Mastroianni single to get Justin Morneau home. Boston tied it in the bottom of the second with a Kelly Shoppach single to score Carl Crawford. The Red Sox took the lead in the third inning as Adrian Gonzalez singled in Dustin Pedroia, followed by a three-run home run from Carl Crawford, sweeping in Cody Ross and Gonzalez. The Twins tied it up in the fifth inning as Josh Willingham walked with the bases loaded to force in Denard Span, followed by Morneau singling both Ben Revere and Joe Mauer across the dish, and a Danny Valencia sacrifice fly finished Willingham's trip around. Minnesota took the lead in the tenth inning on a Jamey Carroll single to plate Mastroianni, and they made it hold for a 6-5 win. Jeff Gray was in line for the win, Jared Burton closed out for the save, and Vicente Padilla was responsible for the loss.

West again into Cincinnati, as the Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wandy Rodriguez and Mat Latos are the staff aces pitching. Cincinnati struck first with a second inning Chris Heisey inside the park solo home run. Keeping with the theme of odd home runs, in the fifth inning the Reds extended the lead on a two-run blast by the pitcher Latos, also scoring Ryan Hanigan. This was all they needed for a 3-0 win, going to Latos, while Aroldis Chapman closed out for the save and Rodriguez was stuck with the loss.

To the south, the Tampa Bay Rays host the Baltimore Orioles. Tommy Hunter and Matt Moore are the struggling starters. Tampa Bay opened with a fourth inning B.J. Upton solo home run. The Rays added on in the sixth inning as Desmond Jennings hit a solo shot. They handled it from there, winning 2-0, with Moore getting the win, Francisco Rodney tossed the save, and Hunter had no help in the loss.

Up in Georgia, the Atlanta Braves host the Houston Astros. Armando Galarraga and Tim Hudson will be sent out to pitch. Atlanta got things going in the third inning as Chipper Jones doubled in both Martin Prado and Jason Heyward, before he later scored on a Dan Uggla double. The Braves kept the happy hour theme going in the fourth inning on a Prado double to get Michael Bourn home. Houston got on the board in the sixth inning on a J.D. Martinez groundout to bring in Ben Francisco. This was as close as it got, with the final sitting at 4-1, giving Hudson the win, Craig Kimbrel the save, and Galarraga the loss.

Northwest into Chicago, where the White Sox host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Zack Greinke and Philip Humber are the notable pitchers. Los Angeles quickly took a first inning lead as Mark Trumbo singled in Torii Hunter. Chicago rallied ahead in their half of the inning as Alex Rios singled home Kevin Youkilis before scoring alongside Paul Konerko on a three-run home run by A.J. Pierzynski. The Angels pulled back in the second inning as Mike Trout hit a two-run home run, also scoring Chris Iannetta. Los Angeles tied it in the third inning as Howie Kendrick singled to knock in Kendrys Morales and Maicer Izturis did the same for Alberto Callaspo to gain a lead. The Angels added on in the sixth inning as Albert Pujols hit a solo home run. The White Sox answered in their half of the inning on a Rios solo shot. Chicago tied it in the eighth inning as Alejandro De Aza hit a ground rule double to force in Alexei Ramirez. The White Sox won as Rios hit a two-run home run in the tenth inning, knocking in Jordan Danks for an 8-6 victory. Matt Thornton was credited with the win while Hisanori Takahashi was pinned with the loss.

Down in Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Texas Rangers. Matt Harrison opposes a lesser foe in Jeremy Guthrie. Texas began in the first inning with a Nelson Cruz sacrifice fly to bring in Ian Kinsler. Kansas City tied it in the second inning on a Yuniesky Betancourt double play that got Salvador Perez home. The Rangers took the lead again in the fourth inning when David Murphy singled in Adrian Beltre. The Rangers padded the lead in the seventh inning on a three-run home run by Mitch Moreland, sweeping in Michael Young and Geovany Soto. The Royals took one back in the bottom of the seventh as Alcides Escobar singled Chris Getz across the dish. Kansas City pulled closer in the eighth inning on a Betancourt double to knock in Jeff Francoeur. They got no closer, falling 5-3, with the win belonging to Harrison, the spot save going to Alexi Ogando, and the loss was stuck on Guthrie.

Across the state, the St. Louis Cardinals host the Milwaukee Brewers. Randy Wolf and Joe Kelly are the back-of-the-rotation starters. Milwaukee started with a second inning rally as Wolf singled both Martin Maldonado and Cody Ransom in, followed by Norichika Aoki singling Cesar Izturis home. St. Louis rallied ahead in the fourth inning as David Freese hit a 2-RBI single, scoring Allen Craig and Carlos Beltran, followed by Daniel Descalso doubling Freese across the dish and then scoring on a Kelly single. The Cardinals added on in the sixth inning with Yadier Molina scoring on an error and Rafael Furcal reaching on an error that allowed Shane Robinson to dash home. St. Louis padded the lead in the eighth inning when Descalso singled Molina home, followed by Craig grounding into a fielder's choice that combined with an error to score Matt Carpenter, and Matt Holliday singled to finish Furcal's trip around. This made it 9-3, a final, as Kelly picked up the win and Wolf was dealt the loss.

Westward to Denver, as the Colorado Rockies host the San Francisco Giants. Ryan Vogelsong and Jonathan Sanchez will be penciled in to start. San Francisco opened in the first inning as Ryan Theriot singled in Angel Pagan before scoring as Hunter Pence grounded into a fielder's choice. The Giants got another in the fourth inning on a Brett Pill solo home run. San Francisco padded the lead in the seventh inning as Pagan tripled to force in Vogelsong, Melky Cabrera hit a 2-RBI double to score both Pagan and Theriot, and Marco Scutaro grounded into a fielder's choice to get Cabrera home. Colorado got on the board in the bottom of the seventh with Carlos Gonzalez hitting a sacrifice fly to score Dexter Fowler, Todd Helton doubling to plate Jordan Pacheco, and then Willin Rosario hit a two-run home run, also scoring Helton. The Giants responded in the eighth inning as Theriot singled to plate Joaquin Arias, Gregor Blanco scored on a wild pitch, Cabrera drew a walk on another wild pitch to get Pagan home, and Buster Posey then unleashed a three-run home run to sweep in Theriot and Cabrera. San Francisco got some more in the ninth inning as Hector Sanchez doubled both Blanco and Pagan in, before scoring on a Scutaro single. This ended the scoring at 16-4, with Vogelsong getting the win and Sanchez taking the loss despite not being the worst Rockies pitcher of the night.

Into California, where the Oakland Athletics host the Toronto Blue Jays. Brett Cecil and Daniel Straily are the relatively unknown pitchers. Oakland got going in the second inning as Brandon Inge singled in Yoenis Cespedes. The Athletics got another in the third inning on a Jonny Gomes solo home run. Toronto got on the board in the fourth inning as Rajai Davis hit a sacrifice fly to score Kelly Johnson. Oakland shot back in their half of the inning on a Chris Carter solo shot. The Athletics struck again in the fifth inning as Josh Reddick hit a sacrifice fly to allow Coco Crisp safe passage home. The Blue Jays tied it in the ninth inning on a three-run home run, sweeping in Moises Sierra and Davis. Oakland won it in the fifteenth inning as Crisp's sacrifice fly allowed Jemile Weeks to dash home for a 5-4 win. Travis Blackley worked from the bullpen for a win while Aaron Loup was stuck with the loss.

Down in San Diego, the Padres host the New York Mets. R.A. Dickey and Clayton Richard pace the game. New York started in the fourth inning as Ronny Cedeno singled home David Wright. San Diego tied it in the sixth inning on a Chris Denorfia sacrifice fly, allowing Everth Cabrera to dash home. The Padres took the lead in the seventh inning when Yonder Alonso doubled, which combined with an error to get Carlos Quentin home before Alonso scored on a John Baker single. This was good enough for a 3-1 win, picked up by Richard, while Huston Street shut the door for a save, and Dickey took a tough-luck loss.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs. Jeff Samardzija and Chad Billingsley are on the mound. Los Angeles began in the third inning with an A.J. Ellis solo home run. Chicago tied it in the fifth inning as Luis Valbuena doubled in Darwin Barney. The Dodgers took the lead back in their half of the inning when James Loney doubled to knock in Hanley Ramirez before scoring on a single by A.J. Ellis. Los Angeles added on in the sixth inning when Ramirez singled to drive in Mark Ellis and Matt Kemp. The Dodgers got another in the seventh inning with another A.J. Ellis solo shot. This made it 6-1, a final, with Billingsley earning the win and Samardzija taking the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 119 2012

Travel day is upon us again, and to speak of traveling, I have a trek up to Seattle this evening for another Sounders game in CCL play. The games begin with...

The Cincinnati Reds hosting the San Diego Padres. Ross Ohlendorf is mismatched with Johnny Cueto. Cincinnati opened in the second inning with a two-run Todd Frazier home run, also scoring Scott Rolen, followed by Ryan Hanigan doubling in Zack Cozart, and a 2-RBI Jay Bruce single to bring in Miguel Cairo and Hanigan, as well as Drew Stubbs on a balk. San Diego got one back in the third inning as Eddy Rodriguez hit a solo home run, followed by Chase Headley singling in Eric Stults and Alexi Amarista. The Padres got another in the fourth inning on a Cameron Maybin solo shot. The Reds fired back in the bottom of the fourth as Rolen singled in Drew Stubbs, and Cozart did the same for Bruce. Cincinnati got another in the eighth inning when Frazier grounded into a fielder's choice, giving Bruce time to score. This was good for a 9-4 win, earned by Cueto, while Ohlendorf got the loss.

Out in California, the San Francisco Giants host the New York Mets. Chris Young and Barry Zito draw the starts. New York started in the first inning as Jason Bay singled David Wright and Scott Hairston home before scoring alongside Daniel Murphy on a single from Ronny Cedeno. The Mets added on in the second inning as Wright singled home Andres Torres. San Francisco got on the board in the fourth inning as Hunter Pence hit a sacrifice fly to allow Melky Cabrera to score. New York answered in the fifth inning with a Murphy single to knock in Torres and a Cedeno single doing the same for Hairston. The Mets struck again in the seventh inning as Cedeno doubled both Hairston and Murphy across the dish. This made it 9-1, a final, with Young notching the win and Zito suffered the loss.

To the east, the Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies. Cole Hamels faces a lesser foe in Ross Detwiler. Washington began with a second inning Adam LaRoche solo home run. The Nationals added on in the third inning as LaRoche singled to score Ryan Zimmerman, followed by Jayson Werth grounding out to get Michael Morse home. The scoring ended here, with the final being 3-0, giving Detwiler the win, Tyler Clippard the save, and Hamels was handed the loss.

A touch north, the Boston Red Sox host the Minnesota Twins. Samuel Deduno and Jon Lester will receive the starting nods. Minnesota opened in the third inning as Denard Span doubled in Brian Dozier before scoring on a single by Ben Revere. The Twins got another in the sixth inning as Ryan Doumit doubled to plate Justin Morneau. Minnesota added on in the ninth inning with a two-run home run from Dozier, also scoring Danny Valencia. This gave them a 5-0 win, picked up by Deduno, while Glen Perkins worked a two-inning save and Lester had little help in the loss.

South to Atlanta, as the Braves welcome the Miami Marlins. Nathan Eovaldi and Mike Minor are the young pitchers. Atlanta was first on the board in the first inning as Chipper Jones doubled in Reed Johnson and Jason Heyward before coming home on a Dan Uggla single. The Braves padded the lead in the second inning when Heyward singled to knock in Michael Bourn and Freddie Freeman hit a 2-RBI double scoring both Johnson and Heyward. Miami got on the board in the sixth inning as Carlos Lee hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Jose Reyes to come home. This was as close as it got, with the final standing at 6-1. Cristhian Martinez picked up a win due to a rain delay forcing Minor's exit, while Eovaldi was pinned with the loss.

West again to Texas, as the Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. C.J. Wilson and Ryan Dempster pace the game. Los Angeles quickly took a first inning lead as Albert Pujols hit a sacrifice fly to score Mike Trout, followed by a Mark Trumbo solo home run. Texas answered in their half of the inning on an Ian Kinsler solo shot. The Rangers rallied ahead in the bottom of the second as Kinsler singled in Geovany Soto, Josh Hamilton did the same for both Mike Olt and Craig Gentry, and Michael Young followed suit for both Kinsler and Hamilton. The Angels got one back in the third inning as Pujols doubled in Torii Hunter. Los Angeles rallied back ahead in the fourth inning with Kendrys Morales hitting a solo home run, Bobby Wilson grounding out to give Alberto Callaspo time to score, and Hunter hitting a 2-RBI single to bring around both Howie Kendrick and Trout. Texas tied it in their half of the inning on a Nelson Cruz solo shot. The Angels responded in the fifth inning on a Morales double plating Pujols. The Rangers tied it again in the sixth inning when Elvis Andrus doubled Kinsler home. Texas rallied ahead in the seventh inning as Mitch Moreland singled Young across the dish, Andrus did the same to finish Moreland's trip, and Hamilton hit a ground rule double to force in both Kinsler and Andrus. The Rangers extended the lead in the eighth inning on a Soto double to drive in Cruz and Young, followed by a David Murphy single finishing Soto's trip around. Los Angeles got one back in the ninth inning when Callaspo went yard on a solo home run. It wasn't enough, as they fell 15-9, with Roy Oswalt working from the bullpen for a win, while David Carpenter was shelled in his relief assignment for the loss.

Up in Kansas City, the Royals welcome the Cleveland Indians. Corey Kluber and Bruce Chen will be handed the ball. Kansas City stormed out of the gates in the first inning when Alex Gordon hit a solo home run, Lorenzo Cain singled in Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer hit a three-run home run to sweep in Cain and Brayan Pena, and Jarrod Dyson singled to knock in Chris Getz. Cleveland got on the board in the second inning on a Vinny Rottino sacrifice fly to drive in Michael Brantley. The Indians added on in the third inning when Carlos Santana singled both Shin-Soo Choo and Brent Lillibridge across the dish, followed by a Brantley sacrifice fly to get Asdrubal Cabrera home. Cleveland tied it in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by Santana, also scoring Lillibridge. The Royals won in in walkoff fashion in the eleventh inning with a Escobar single to score Hosmer for a 7-5 final. Aaron Crow was in line for the win and Esmil Rogers was responsible for the loss.

Across the plains, the Colorado Rockies host the St. Louis Cardinals. Lance Lynn and Alex White are on the mound. Colorado got things going in the fourth inning as Jordan Pacheco doubled home Carlos Gonzalez. St. Louis answered in the sixth inning when Jon Jay tripled to force in Skip Schumaker before coming the final 90 feet on a Carlos Beltran double. The Rockies answered in their half of the inning, tying the game as Pacheco's sacrifice fly plated Dexter Fowler. Colorado took the lead in the seventh inning when Tyler Colvin hit a ground rule double to knock in DJ LeMahieu, followed by a two-run Josh Rutledge homer to finish Colvin's trip around. The Rockies padded the lead in the eighth inning when Ramon Hernandez doubled Pacheco across the dish before scoring on Willin Rosario's two-run home run. This made the final 8-2, with Rex Brothers picking up the win and Fernando Salas getting pinned with the loss.

Finally, in Oakland, the Athletics host the Toronto Blue Jays. Henderson Alvarez and Bartolo Colon are atop the hill. Oakland led off in the third inning as Seth Smith single to score Eric Sogard, before coming home on a two-run home run by Josh Reddick. The Athletics added on in the seventh inning when Brandon Inge singled to knock in Chris Carter. Toronto avoided the shutout with a ninth inning Moises Sierra fielder's choice to bring in David Cooper, which left the score to be finalized at 4-1. Colon got the win, Ryan Cook converted the save, and Alvarez was dealt the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 118 2012

Getaway day, meaning we have six matinees on today. The first is in...

New York, where the Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles. Zach Britton and Phil Hughes will make the starts. New York started in the first inning as Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run and Andruw Jones hit a sacrifice fly to knock in Nick Swisher. Baltimore got on the board in the second inning as Endy Chavez grounded out to get Wilson Betemit home. The Yankees replied in their half of the inning when Derek Jeter singled in Casey McGehee, followed by Swisher doing the same for Jayson Nix. New York padded the lead in the third inning on a Nix ground rule double to force in Russell Martin, a Jeter single scoring both McGehee and Nix in, and a grand slam by Robinson Cano to sweep in Jeter, Granderson, and Swisher. The Orioles took one back in the seventh inning on a J.J. Hardy solo shot.Baltimore got another in the eighth inning as Chavez doubled to bring home Mark Reynolds. The Yankees replied in their half of the inning as McGehee hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Cano. This made it 12-3, a final, with Hughes notching the win and Britton taking the loss.

West into Minnesota, as the Twins host the Chicago White Sox. Jake Peavy and Scott Diamond will take the mound. Chicago began in the first inning with an Adam Dunn hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Alejandro De Aza. Minnesota answered in the bottom of the first when Joe Mauer grounded out to bring in Ben Revere. The Twins took the lead in the second inning on a Danny Valencia solo home run. The White Sox retied it in the fifth inning on a Tyler Flowers fielder's choice to knock in Alex Rios. Chicago took the lead in the eighth inning as De Aza singled home Flowers. This was good for a 3-2 win, picked up by Peavy, while Addison Reed got the save and Diamond took the loss.

Eastward to Milwaukee, as the Brewers host the Houston Astros. Jordan Lyles and Mike Fiers will be pitching. Milwaukee got going in the first inning as Aramis Ramirez reached on an error to get Nyjer Morgan home. Houston answered in the third inning as Jose Altuve singled to plate Jordan Schafer. The Astros padded the lead with a Brett Wallace solo home run in the fourth inning. The Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Cesar Izturis singled Ryan Braun in and later Corey Hart also scored on an error. Milwaukee added on in the fifth inning as Braun singled both Morgan and Carlos Gomez safely home, before he scored on a Hart double, and then Rickie Weeks hit a two-run home run to finish Hart's trip and an Izturis solo shot. The Brewers got another in the sixth inning with a Braun solo home run. The Brewers padded the lead in the seventh inning on a two-run home run by Jonathan Lucroy, sweeping in Weeks, followed by Morgan singling in Izturis. Houston replied in the eighth inning on a two-run blast from Wallace, bringing around Scott Moore. This was as close as it got, with the final sitting at 13-4, giving Fiers the win and Lyles the brutal loss.

Down into Chicago, with the Cubs hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jeff Karstens and Travis Wood are the inconsistent starters. Chicago wasted no time in scoring with a first inning Starlin Castro solo home run. Pittsburgh responded in the third inning with a Starling Marte solo shot and a Travis Snider single that combined with a balk to knock in Andrew McCutchen. The Pirates added on in the eighth inning as Garrett Jones singled in Josh Harrison and McCutchen, followed by a three-run Michael McKenry home run to sweep in Jones and Snider. Pittsburgh got another in the ninth inning as Jones doubled McCutchen safely home. The Cubs answered in their half of the inning when Jeff Baker tripled to force in Bryan LaHair, before scoring on a two-run long ball from Welington Castillo, but this only made it 8-4 as a final. Karstens kept the win and Wood was handed the loss.

West to Los Angeles, with the Dodgers hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks. Patrick Corbin and Stephen Fife draw the starts. Arizona led off with a second inning Miguel Montero single to drive in Paul Goldschmidt. The Diamondbacks got another in the fourth inning with a Chris Johnson solo home run. Arizona struck again in the eighth inning as Montero hit a two-run home run, also scoring Justin Upton. This made it 4-0, a final, with Corbin pitching strongly for a win and Fife having little help in the loss.

Up the coast, the Oakland Athletics host the Tampa Bay Rays. Alex Cobb and Jarrod Parker receive the starting nods. Tampa Bay quickly opened with a Matt Joyce single to plate Desmond Jennings. The Rays struck again in the fourth inning as Ryan Roberts singled to get Jeff Keppinger home. Oakland got on the board as Brandon Inge hit a fifth inning solo home run. Tampa Bay struck again in the sixth inning as Carlos Pena doubled to knock in Keppinger. The Rays got another in the eighth inning as Pena hit a solo shot. This ended the scoring at 4-1, giving Cobb the win, Fernando Rodney the save, and Parker was stuck with the loss.

Back east, the Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies. Vance Worley and Edwin Jackson are the reliable pitchers. Washington got going in the first inning as Adam LaRoche singled in Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa grounded into a fielder's choice to get Chad Tracy home. Philadelphia got on the board in the third inning with a Jimmy Rollins solo home run. The Phillies got the lead in the fifth inning with solo shots by Rollins and Nate Schierholtz. They held on from here for a 3-2 win, earned by Worley, while Jonathan Papelbon got the save and Jackson was handed the loss.

West a touch to Cincinnati, with the Reds hosting the San Diego Padres. Kip Wells and Bronson Arroyo will be handed the ball. San Diego was first on the board in the first inning when Chase Headley hit a two-run home run, also scoring Alexi Amarista. Cincinnati responded in the bottom of the first with a Zack Cozart solo home run and a two-run homer from Ryan Ludwick, sweeping in Scott Rolen for the lead. The Padres took the lead back in the fourth inning as Will Venable singled Wells home and Headley did the same for Amarista. The Reds rallied back ahead in the fifth inning with Jay Bruce doubling home Drew Stubbs before scoring on a single from Ludwick. Cincinnati extended the lead in the seventh inning as Ludwick singled Stubbs across the dish. This was all they needed for a 6-4 win, with the win going to Arroyo, the save to Aroldis Chapman, and the loss to Wells.

Down in Atlanta, the Braves host the Miami Marlins. Wade LeBlanc and Ben Sheets will take their turns in the rotation. Miami rallied to a first inning lead with Carlos Lee singling in Emilio Bonifacio, Greg Dobbs doing the same for Donnie Murphy, and Bryan Petersen singling to finish Lee's trip around. Atlanta got on the board in the second inning as Paul Janish doubled to knock in Freddie Freeman. The Marlins answered in the fourth inning as LeBlanc doubled to drive in Scott Cousins with the help of an error. The Braves pulled back in the sixth inning on a Dan Uggla double to score Chipper Jones. They couldn't tie it, losing 4-2, with Carlos Zambrano notching the win, Steve Cishek turning his fifth save of the season, and Sheets took the loss.

Northward into Boston, where the Red Sox welcome the Detroit Tigers. Rick Porcello and Aaron Cook are the relatively unknown pitchers. Boston opened with a first inning Cody Ross single plating Jacoby Ellsbury. Detroit tied it in the fourth inning as Brennan Boesch singled in Prince Fielder. The Tigers rallied ahead in the fifth inning when Austin Jackson singled home Alex Avila, Quintin Berry grounded out to get Jhonny Peralta home, Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run home run that also scored Jackson, and Fielder hit a solo home run. The Red Sox clawed back in the sixth inning with Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounding into a double play to allow Dustin Pedroia to score, followed by a Will Middlebrooks single to get Adrian Gonzalez in, and a Pedro Ciriaco single to finish Middlebrooks' trip around. Boston pulled closer in the seventh inning with a Carl Crawford solo shot. Detroit extended the lead in the eighth inning as Delmon Young hit a solo home run. This provided them with a 7-5 lead and win, earned by Porcello, while Jose Valverde got the save and Cook was given the loss.

Southwest to Arlington, with the Texas Rangers hosting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Garrett Richards is mismatched with Yu Darvish. Los Angeles established a lead in the third inning as Torii Hunter grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing Chris Iannetta to score, and also Andrew Romine after an error, followed by Albert Pujols hitting a two-run home run to get Hunter home, and then Alberto Callaspo doubled to score both Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales. Texas got one back in their half of the inning as Mike Napoli singled to plate David Murphy. The Angels responded in the fourth inning as Hunter doubled Mike Trout across the dish. The Rangers got some back in the fifth inning as Napoli doubled to drive in Michael Young, followed by Mitch Moreland's sacrifice fly to knock in Murphy, an Ian Kinsler double to get Napoli the rest of the way home, and an Elvis Andrus single to finish Kinsler's trip around. Texas got closer in the eighth inning as Murphy singled Adrian Beltre home. The Rangers tied it in the ninth inning on a Kinsler solo home run. Los Angeles reclaimed the lead in the tenth inning on an Iannetta solo shot, followed by another two-run homer by Pujols, again scoring Hunter. Texas fired back in their half of the inning on a Nelson Cruz solo home run, followed by Moreland singling to get Young home, before taking an 11-10 win on a 2-RBI Andrus single to score Murphy and Craig Gentry. Joe Nathan picked up the ugly win and Jason Isringhausen was stuck with an uglier loss.

Back north a bit to Kansas City, as the Royals host the Cleveland Indians. Zach McAllister and Luis Mendoza are the back-of-the-rotation starters. Kansas City wasted no time in scoring first in the first inning as Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain pulled off a double steal, causing an error to get Escobar home before Cain scored on a Billy Butler groundout. The Royals added on in the second inning when Jarrod Dyson singled in Chris Getz and then scored on an Alex Gordon double. Cleveland got on the board in the fourth inning with a Carlos Santana solo home run. Kansas City shot back in the fifth inning as Cain doubled Escobar across the dish. The Indians responded in the eighth inning when Asdrubal Cabrera singled to plate Jack Hannahan, but this only made it 5-2, which was a final. Mendoza got the win, Greg Holland notched the save as the newly-named closer, and McAllister was pinned with the loss. 

Westward to Colorado, with the Rockies hosting the St. Louis Cardinals. Jake Westbrook and Drew Pomeranz are the young pitchers. St. Louis quickly took a first inning lead on a two-run Matt Holliday home run, also scoring Allen Craig. The Cardinals struck again in the second inning as Tyler Greene doubled to score Yadier Molina. Colorado got on the board in the fourth inning as Ramon Hernandez grounded out to bring in Tyler Colvin. The Rockies rallied ahead in the sixth inning as Jordan Pacheco doubled in Andrew Brown before being forced in by a Colvin triple, and then Colvin scored on a Hernandez double, followed by an Eric Young double to drive in Hernandez. St. Louis took the lead back in the seventh inning with a three-run home run by Holliday, sweeping in Skip Schumaker and Daniel Descalso. The Cardinals got another in the eighth inning as Descalso walked on a wild pitch that allowed Molina to come home. St. Louis struck again in the ninth inning when Molina reached on a fielder's choice that brought around Holliday, followed by Jon Jay grounding into a double play to allow Carlos Beltran to score. Colorado got one back in the bottom of the ninth on a Josh Rutledge solo home run, making the final 9-6. Westbrook was credited with the win while Matt Belisle was given the loss.

Northwest to Seattle, with the Mariners hosting the Toronto Blue Jays. Carlos Villanueva and Blake Beavan take the mound. Toronto began with a Colby Rasmus solo home run in the first inning. The Blue Jays added on in the fourth inning with a solo shot from Kelly Johnson. Seattle got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Jesus Montero grounded into a double play to knock in Dustin Ackley. Toronto replied in the fifth inning as Jeff Mathis hit a sacrifice fly to bring in David Cooper. The Mariners tied it in the bottom of the fifth as Eric Thames hit a two-run home run, also scoring Mike Carp. Seattle took the lead in the sixth inning as John Jaso singled to plate Michael Saunders. The Mariners got another in the seventh inning as Ackley hit a single to plate Brendan Ryan. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 5-3, allowing Beavan the win, Tom Wilhelmsen turned his fifteenth save of the season, and Villanueva was handed the loss.

Finally, down in San Francisco, the Giants host the New York Mets. Jonathon Niese and Matt Cain pace the game. New York led off with a first inning solo home run by Ruben Tejada. The Mets added on in the second inning as Jordany Valdespin grounded into a fielder's choice to bring in Josh Thole. San Francisco got on the board in the sixth inning as Buster Posey hit a solo shot. They failed to tie it up, losing 2-1, with the win going to Niese, the save to Bobby Parnell, and the unlucky loss to Cain.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 117 2012

Busy deadline day as trades from now on go through waivers first. We start the games in...

Washington, as the Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies. Cliff Lee and Stephen Strasburg take the mound. Philadelphia opened in the second inning with Kevin Frandsen two-run home run, also scoring Carlos Ruiz. The Phillies added on in the third inning as Juan Pierre scored on an error. Philadelphia padded the lead in the fourth inning as the pitcher Lee singled to drive in John Mayberry, followed by a two-run inside-the-park home run by Jimmy Rollins to finish Lee's trip. The Phillies extended the lead in the ninth inning as Ruiz grounded out to get Pierre home and Laynce Nix singled Chase Utley across the dish. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 8-0, with Lee getting a dominant win and Strasburg taking the brutal loss.

Over in New York, the Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles. Chris Tillman and Ivan Nova are the back-of-the-rotation pitchers. New York began in the first inning as Curtis Granderson singled in Derek Jeter before scoring on a two-run home run by Robinson Cano, followed by Ichiro Suzuki reaching on an error that allowed Raul Ibanez to come home, and a Russell Martin single scoring Eric Chavez. Baltimore rallied ahead in the second inning on a Mark Reynolds ground rule double forcing in Adam Jones, followed by an Omar Quintanilla single to knock in both Matt Wieters and Reynolds, and a Chris Davis grand slam to sweep in Quintanilla, Nick Markakis, and J.J. Hardy. The Orioles added on in the third inning as Wilson Betemit doubled home Lew Ford. Baltimore padded the lead in the fifth inning with a Betemit single that gave time for Jones to cross home. The Orioles got some more in the eighth inning as Markakis hit a two-run home run, also scoring Robert Andino. This was it for an 11-5 game, with Tillman earning the win and Nova was pinned with the loss.

Well south, the Atlanta Braves host the Miami Marlins. Ricky Nolasco and Kris Medlen are called on to start. Miami got going in the first inning on a Donnie Murphy solo home run. Atlanta tied it in their half of the inning as Brian McCann grounded out to get Martin Prado home, before taking the lead on a 2-RBI Juan Francisco single that scored both Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman. The Braves struck again in the third inning with a McCann solo shot. Atlanta got another in the sixth inning as Tyler Pastornicky hit a solo home run, followed by Heyward singling Michael Bourn in. The Braves padded the lead in the eighth inning as Freeman singled, which combined with an error to get McCann home. The final stood at 7-1, with Medlen getting a rain-interrupted victory while Nolasco was on the hook for the loss.

Back to the north, the Boston Red Sox host the Detroit Tigers. Staff aces Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett pitch. Detroit was first to score with a third inning bases-loaded walk drawn by Miguel Cabrera to force in Omar Infante. Boston tied it in the fourth inning as Pedro Ciriaco singled in Cody Ross, followed by Jacoby Ellsbury drawing a walk with the bases loaded to plate the go-ahead run, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and then Carl Crawford singled Kelly Shoppach home and also Ciriaco after an error. Due to rain, the game was called with the Red Sox ahead 4-1, giving the win to Clayton Mortensen, the save to Franklin Morales, and the complete-game loss to Verlander.

Westward to Cincinnati, as the Reds host the San Diego Padres. Jason Marquis and Homer Bailey take their turns in the rotation. Cincinnati started with a first inning Ryan Ludwick single, scoring Chris Heisey. The Reds added on in the third inning with a three-run home run by Ludwick to sweep in Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce, followed by a two-run homer from Todd Frazier that also scored Scott Rolen. San Diego got some back as Cameron Maybin hit a three-run home run, driving in Yonder Alonso and John Baker, followed by Alexi Amarista tripling to force in the pitcher Marquis, before Will Venable tripled to finish Amarista's trip and then scored himself on a Chase Headley single. Cincinnati took the lead again in the seventh inning on a Phillips solo home run. They held on for a 7-6 win, picked up by Sean Marshall, Aroldis Chapman tossed the save, and Marquis was handed the loss.

Down in Texas, the Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Jered Weaver faces a lesser foe in Derek Holland. Los Angeles got things going with a fourth inning Albert Pujols solo home run. The Angels padded the lead in the sixth inning with a two-run Mike Trout home run, also scoring Chris Iannetta, followed by another Pujols solo shot. Los Angeles got another in the seventh inning on a Torii Hunter double to knock in Maicer Izturis and Trout. Texas got on the board in the bottom of the seventh with a 2-RBI David Murphy double, sweeping in Josh Hamilton and Michael Young. This was as close as they got, losing 5-2 to Weaver, while Holland was served with the loss.

Back north, the Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates. A.J. Burnett and Casey Coleman draw the starts.  Pittsburgh established a large lead in the first inning as Neil Walker hit a grand slam, sweeping in Travis Snider, Andrew McCutchen, and Garrett Jones. The Pirates added on as Walker hit a seventh inning sacrifice fly to bring home Snider. This was all they needed for a 5-0 win, as Burnett went the distance for a one-hit and two-walk complete game shutout, while Coleman had no help in the loss.

Further to the north, the Minnesota Twins host the Chicago White Sox. Francisco Liriano faces his old team, and former teammate Nick Blackburn opposes him. Chicago struck first with a second inning sacrifice fly by Dayan Viciedo, allowing Alex Rios to score. Minnesota tied it in the sixth inning when Justin Morneau reached on a fielder's choice that brought in Darin Mastroianni, before taking the lead on a Danny Valencia single that plated Josh Willingham. The White Sox tied it in the seventh inning as Alexei Ramirez singled to knock in A.J. Pierzynski. Chicago took a ninth inning lead with a two-run home run by Pierzynski, also scoring Rios. The Twins tried a rally in the bottom of the ninth as Denard Span singled to drive in Ben Revere, but they couldn't get an equalizer, leaving Matt Thornton with the win, Addison Reed the save, and Jeff Gray was stuck with the loss.

Into Missouri, as the Kansas City Royals host the Cleveland Indians. Derek Lowe and Luke Hochevar are the struggling starters. Kansas City led off with a first inning Lorenzo Cain single to drive in Alex Gordon. Cleveland tied it in the second inning on a Johnny Damon single to knock in Michael Brantley, followed by Casey Kotchman doing the same for Carlos Santana. The Royals took the lead back in the bottom of the second with a 2-RBI Alcides Escobar single to score Chris Getz and Jarrod Dyson. The Indians retied it in the third inning when Asdrubal Cabrera scored on a wild pitch. Kansas City shot back in their half of the inning as Eric Hosmer walked, which combined with a balk to plate Billy Butler, followed by a 2-RBI Getz double to finish Salvador Perez's and Hosmer's trips around, a Gordon double to knock in Getz, and an Escobar triple to get Gordon safely home. This made it 8-3 in the end as Hochevar picked up the win and Lowe was dealt the loss.

Backtracking to Milwaukee, as the Brewers host the Houston Astros. Dallas Keuchel and Yovani Gallardo are penciled in to pitch. Milwaukee began with a first inning Aramis Ramirez single, plating Norichika Aoki. The Brewers got another in the second inning as the pitcher Gallardo hit a bunt single that scored Rickie Weeks. Houston got on the board in the third inning on a Chris Snyder solo home run. Milwaukee shot back in their half of the third on a three-run Ramirez home run, sweeping in Carlos Gomez and Ryan Braun. The Brewers got some more in the fifth inning on a three-run Corey Hart home run, also scoring Braun and Ramirez. Milwaukee struck again in the eighth inning as Nyjer Morgan singled, providing time for Aoki and Gomez to dash home. This made the score 10-1, a final, with Gallardo cruising to the win and Keuchel suffering the loss.

Southwest to Colorado, as the Rockies host the St. Louis Cardinals. Kyle Lohse and Jeff Francis will be handed the ball. St. Louis wasted no time in grabbing a first inning lead as Matt Holliday doubled both Daniel Descalso and Allen Craig home before scoring on a two-run home run by Carlos Beltran. Colorado shot back in their half of the inning as Carlos Gonzalez singled home Eric Young before scoring on a double from Michael Cuddyer. The Cardinals shot back in the second inning on a Craig single to knock in Skip Schumaker. St. Louis struck again in the sixth inning as Jon Jay singled Beltran safely across the plate. The Rockies pulled closer in the bottom of the sixth as Josh Rutledge hit a three-run home run, sweeping in Adam Ottavino and Young. The Cardinals added on in the seventh inning with a two-run homer from Holliday, bringing in Craig, and a solo home run by David Freese. St. Louis padded the lead in the eighth inning as Craig singled Schumaker and Matt Carpenter safely home. Colorado tried a ninth inning rally as Todd Helton doubled Gonzalez in. This made the final 11-6, with Lohse earning the win and Francis suffering the loss.

West into Oakland, as the Athletics host the Tampa Bay Rays. James Shields and Tommy Milone take the hill. Tampa Bay got going in the third inning with B.J. Upton singling in Sam Fuld and Ben Zobrist grounding out to allow Desmond Jennings safe passage home. The Rays added on in the sixth inning with Jeff Keppinger singling home Upton, Carlos Pena hitting a sacrifice fly to get Zobrist home, and Sean Rodriguez singling to drive in Keppinger. Tampa Bay got another in the seventh inning as Upton reached on an error to get Jennings home. The Rays padded the lead in the ninth inning as Jennings singled to plate Matt Joyce, followed by Upton grounding into a fielder's choice to allow safe passage home for Jose Lobaton. This made the final 8-0, with Shields tossing a three-hit shutout for the win and Milone having no support in the loss.

Up to Seattle, as the Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays. Aaron Laffey and Jason Vargas are the underrated starters. Seattle opened with a first inning Dustin Ackley solo home run. The Mariners added on in the second inning as Trayvon Robinson singled in Mike Carp, followed by Brendan Ryan doing the same for Miguel Olivo, and Ackley grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Robinson to come home. Toronto got on the board in the third inning when Brett Lawrie doubled both Jeff Mathis and Moises Sierra home. Seattle responded in the fourth inning on another Ackley fielder's choice to score Robinson. The Mariners padded the lead in the fifth inning when Olivo singled both Michael Saunders and Kyle Seager across the dish. This was good for a 7-2 win, earned by Vargas, while Laffey was dinged for the loss.

Back in California, the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wade Miley and Chris Capuano are tabbed to start. Arizona wasted no time in getting a first inning lead on a two-run Paul Goldschmidt home run, also scoring Jason Kubel. Los Angeles got one back in the bottom of the first with a Mark Ellis solo home run. The Diamondbacks extended the lead in the sixth inning as Miguel Montero hit a three-run home run, sweeping in Goldschmidt and Justin Upton. Arizona added on in the ninth inning as Upton grounded into a fielder's choice to bring in Chris Young before scoring alongside Kubel on a Chris Johnson single. The Dodgers got one back in the bottom of the ninth as Hanley Ramirez grounded out to knock in Matt Kemp, but this only made it an 8-2 final. Miley picked up a strong win while Capuano was a bit off in the loss.

Finally, we end in San Francisco, with the Giants hosting the New York Mets. Matt Harvey and Tim Lincecum will pace the game. New York started in the second inning as Justin Turner doubled home Scott Hairston. San Francisco replied in the bottom of the second with Brandon Crawford grounding into a fielder's choice to knock in Marco Scutaro, and later Brandon Belt after an error. The Giants got another in the sixth inning as Scutaro grounded into a double play to plate Ryan Theriot. San Francisco as Marco Scutaro singled to plate Theriot. This was good for a 4-1 win, picked up by Lincecum, while Jeremy Affeldt notched a spot save and Harvey was stuck with the loss.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

MLB Day 116 2012

Shorter slate of games today, only twelve being played as a few teams travel. We start in...

New York, where the Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles. Miguel Gonzalez and Freddy Garcia are the back of the rotation starts. New York started with a second inning Eric Chavez single to drive in Raul Ibanez. Baltimore tied it in the bottom of the first on a Wilson Betemit solo home run. The Orioles took the lead in the fifth inning when Omar Quintanilla and Nick Markakis hit sacrifice flies to score Betemit and Mark Reynolds, respectively. The Yankees got one back in the bottom of the fifth as Raul Ibanez hit a solo shot. Baltimore added on in the seventh inning when Markakis doubled in Quintanilla and J.J. Hardy singled to finish Markakis' trip around. New York pulled back with a pair of solo home runs in the eighth inning as both Chavez and Ichiro Suzuki went yard. They couldn't tie, falling 5-4 to Gonzalez, who got the win, Jim Johnson with the save, and the loss went to Garcia.

Down in Texas, the Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Ervin Santana and Roy Oswalt are the struggling starters. Los Angeles led off with a second inning Maicer Izturis solo home run. Texas responded in their half of the inning on a Michael Young sacrifice fly allowing Nelson Cruz to score, followed by a David Murphy double to plate Josh Hamilton. The Angels added on in the third inning with a two-run Mike Trout home run, bringing in Bobby Wilson. The Rangers took one back in the fourth inning on a Hamilton solo shot. Los Angeles blitzed in the sixth inning with a two-run Kendrys Morales homer that also scored Albert Pujols, followed by Wilson singling in Howie Kendrick, Trout singling both Izturis and Peter Bourjos home, and Morales hitting his second home run of the inning, a grand slam to sweep in Wilson, Trout, and Pujols. Texas weakly responded to the 9-spot in their half of the inning with Michael Young's sacrifice fly to knock in Adrian Beltre. The Angels were back at work in the seventh inning as Torii Hunter drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Izturis and Pujols singled to plate both Wilson and Trout. The Rangers replied in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run long ball by Cruz, driving in Brandon Snyder. Texas got another in the eighth with with a Mike Napoli solo home run. The Rangers tried a ninth inning rally as Cruz doubled in Alberto Gonzalez, but this only made it 15-8 in the end, with the win belonging to Santana, the four-inning save tossed be Jerome Williams, and the crushing loss was pinned on Oswalt.

North a touch to Cincinnati, as the Reds host the San Diego Padres. Edinson Volquez and Mike Leake are sent out to pitch. Cincinnati began in the first inning with a Drew Stubbs solo home run and a 2-RBI Ryan Ludwick double to knock in both Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen. San Diego replied in the second inning as Everth Cabrera singled in Yasmani Grandal followed by an Alexi Amarista hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Cameron Maybin to come home, a Will Venable single to finish Cabrera's trip, and a Carlos Quentin 2-RBI single to score Volquez and Venable. The Padres added on in the third inning as Venable tripled to force in all of Yonder Alonso, Maybin, and Amarista, before coming the final 90 feet on a wild pitch. The Reds got one back in the bottom of the third with a solo shot from Bruce. San Diego replied in the fourth inning as Alonso doubled home John Baker. Cincinnati answered back with a fifth inning Rolen single to allow Stubbs to dash home. The Padres got another in the eighth inning on a solo home run by Quentin. This made it an 11-5 win, which went to Volquez, while Leak was shelled in the loss.

East to Boston, where the Red Sox host the Detroit Tigers. Max Scherzer and Clay Buchholz are the under-performing pitchers. Detroit wasted no time in scoring in first inning as Austin Jackson hit a leadoff solo home run. Boston rallied ahead in the bottom of the first as Carl Crawford tripled to force in Jacoby Ellsbury before coming the final 90 feet on a Dustin Pedroia groundout. The Tigers tied it in the third inning on a Miguel Cabrera single to knock in Omar Infante. The Red Sox took the lead in the sixth inning with a two-run Pedroia home run, also scoring Crawford. Detroit fired back in the seventh inning as Alex Avila doubled home Brennan Boesch. Boston responded in the bottom of the seventh when Ellsbury singled to drive in Kelly Shoppach. The Red Sox extended the lead in the eighth inning on a Will Middlebrooks two-run home run, sweeping in Adrian Gonzalez. This was good for a 7-3 win, earned by Buchholz, while Scherzer was handed the loss.

South to Atlanta, with the Braves hosting the Miami Marlins. Mark Buehrle and Tommy Hanson are the reliable starters. Atlanta opened with a third inning Jason Heyward solo home run. The Braves added on in the fourth inning as Michael Bourn singled home Paul Janish. Miami got on the board in the fifth inning as Jose Reyes doubled home Emilio Bonifacio. Atlanta responded in their half of the inning with a Dan Uggla double scoring both Heyward and Freddie Freeman, followed by a 2-RBI Juan Francisco single to knock in both Brian McCann and Uggla. The Braves struck again in the sixth inning as Freeman singled Heyward across the dish. Atlanta extended the lead in the seventh inning as Bourn grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Janish to dash home. The Marlins tried a ninth inning rally when Donnie Murphy singled, which combined with an error to plate Austin Kearns, but this left the final at 8-2. Hanson notched the win while Buehrle was handed the loss.

Northwest to Chicago, as the Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Erik Bedard and Justin Germano are the uninspiring pitchers. Chicago quickly opened with a first inning Starlin Castro double to knock in Reed Johnson. Pittsburgh answered in the third inning when Starling Marte singled in Clint Barmes. The Pirates gained the lead in the fourth inning as Michael McKenry grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Andrew McCutchen to dash home. The Cubs took the lead back in their half of the inning on a three-run Darwin Barney home run, sweeping in Jeff Baker and Geovany Soto. Chicago padded the lead with a fifth inning rally including a three-run Anthony Rizzo home run to drive in Johnson and Castro, a Barney single to get Alfonso Soriano single, a Joe Mather single doing the same for Soto, a David DeJesus single following suit to bring in both Barney and Mather, and Castro then swept the bases clean with a two-run home run that plated DeJesus. Pittsburgh got some back in the sixth inning as McKendry singled in Garrett Jones, and Barmes drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Neil Walker. Chicago replied in the seventh inning when Mather doubled Barney across the dish. This was it for the scoring in the 14-4 game, which gave Germano the win and Bedard the loss.

Further north, the Minnesota Twins host the Chicago White Sox. Jose Quintana and Cole De Vries are the young pitchers. Chicago led off with a first inning Paul Konerko single to knock in Alejandro De Aza and a three-run A.J. Pierzynski home run sweeping in Paul Konerko and Alex Rios. Minnesota replied in the bottom of the first as Joe Mauer singled home Denard Span, Josh Willingham did the same for Ben Revere, Ryan Doumit grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Mauer to get home, and then Doumit scored on a Danny Valencia single to tie the game. The Twins took the lead in the third inning when Doumit singled in Willingham and Valencia hit a sacrifice fly to plate Justin Morneau. The White Sox got one back in the fourth inning as De Aza singled Alexei Ramirez across the dish. Chicago tied it in the eighth inning on a De Aza single again scoring Ramirez. Minnesota won in the ninth inning 7-6 on a Jamey Carroll sacrifice fly that allowed safe passage home for Alexi Casilla. Glen Perkins was in line for the win while Brett Myers was stuck with the loss.

A tad to the east, the Milwaukee Brewers host the Houston Astros. Bud Norris and Marco Estrada are the relatively unknown pitchers. Houston was first on the board in the first inning as Steve Pearce hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Jose Altuve. The Astros added on in the third inning as Altuve hit a sacrifice fly to get Jordan Schafer home. Houston got another in the seventh inning on a Scott Moore solo home run. Milwaukee rallied in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run home run by Nyjer Morgan, also scoring Jonathan Lucroy, followed by Norichika Aoki singling in Cesar Izturis and then scoring on a single by Aramis Ramirez as the go-ahead run. The Astros retied it in the eighth inning when Pearce doubled to plate Altuve. The Brewers took the lead back in the bottom of the eighth when Izturis singled to get Lucroy home, followed by a three-run home run from Cody Ransom, sweeping in Morgan and Izturis. Houston tried a ninth inning rally as Brian Bogusevic singled Schafer safely home, followed by Justin Maxwell doubling to finish Bogusevic's trip around, Pearce hitting a sacrifice fly to get Altuve home again, but all this wasn't enough to avoid an 8-7 loss. The win went to Livan Hernandez, while John Axford tossed a messy save, and Francisco Cordero was not freed from the loss.

Out west, the Oakland Athletics host the Tampa Bay Rays. David Price and A.J. Griffin are on the hill. Oakland started in the second inning as Chris Carter doubled in Yoenis Cespedes before scoring on a Kurt Suzuki double. Tampa Bay tied it in the fourth inning on a 2-RBI Carlos Pena double to get Jeff Keppinger and Matt Joyce home. The Rays took the lead in the sixth inning with a Joyce solo home run. The Athletics tied it in the seventh inning on a Brandon Hicks solo shot. Oakland won 4-3 in the fifteenth inning on a Jemile Weeks sacrifice fly that allowed Brandon Inge to score. Jordan Norberto was in line for the win while Kyle Farnsworth was pinned with the loss.

Down in Los Angeles, the Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Trevor Cahill and Aaron Harang are on the mound. Arizona established a first inning lead as Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run home run, sweeping in Gerardo Parra and Aaron Hill. The Diamondbacks added on in the fifth inning as Chris Johnson hit a grand slam, knocking in all of Hill, Jason Kubel, and Miguel Montero. Los Angeles got on the board in the sixth inning when Jerry Hairston, Jr. grounded out to bring in Matt Kemp. The Dodgers got another in the eighth inning when Kemp doubled home Juan Rivera. This was as close as it got, with the final sitting at 7-2. Cahill notched the win and Harang was responsible for the loss.

To the north, the Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero and Hisashi Iwakuma are the inconsistent pitchers. Toronto led off with a first inning Rajai Davis solo home run. Seattle responded in the bottom of the first as John Jaso grounded into a double play to get Dustin Ackley home and Kyle Seager singled home Michael Saunders. The Mariners added on in the second inning as Brendan Ryan reached on an error, allowing Mike Carp to score. Seattle padded the lead in the fifth inning when Saunders doubled Ryan home. This was a final, with Iwakuma picking up a strong win, Lucas Luetge getting a spot save, and Romero was on the hook for the loss.

Finally, we end in San Francisco, as the Giants host the New York Mets. Jeremy Hefner and Madison Bumgarner pace the game. San Francisco got things going with a third inning Marco Scutaro sacrifice fly to knock in Brandon Belt. New York answered in the fourth inning on a 2-RBI Ronny Cedeno double to drive in both Scott Hairston and Jason Bay. The Giants tied it in the fifth inning as Melky Cabrera singled Scutaro across the dish. San Francisco took the lead in the sixth inning as Aubrey Huff grounded into a fielder's choice that got Belt home, followed by Ryan Theriot singling in Matt Cain. The Mets replied in the eighth inning as Hairston hit a two-run home run, also scoring Jordany Valdespin, followed by Justin Turner doubling in Jason Bay before scoring on a Rob Johnson single. The Giants tied it in the ninth inning as Buster Posey doubled home Cabrera before his pinch runner, Eli Whiteside, scored on a double from Nate Schierholtz. New York took the lead again in the tenth inning as Hairston hit a solo home run and Johnson reached on a fielder's choice that gave time for Bay to score. San Francisco tried to pull back in the bottom of the tenth as Schierholtz singled to drive in Ryan Theriot, but they came up short and lost 8-7. Josh Edgin was credited with the win, Manny Acosta turned a spot save, and Santiago Casilla was stuck with the loss.

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Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 16 2012

Hitters: Carlos Gomez, Drew Stubbs, Adam Dunn, Jose Reyes, Ike Davis, Anthony Rizzo, Josh Willingham, Corey Hart, Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Morse.

Pitchers: Jeremy Hellickson, Scott Feldman, Scott Diamond, Mike Minor, Aroldis Chapman, Josh Johnson, Jeff Samardzija, Chad Billingsley, Tyler Clippard, Alfredo Aceves.