MLB live blog: Keep up with Thursday's action
Thursday generally marks getaway day or just a travel day and this one is no different for all but one series (KC-CHW, which begins a four-game set Thursday). We see 11 weekday series end while six teams are off.
The big one? Why, it’s the New York Mets going for their 11th straight victory.
Needless to say, it’s a big deal for any team to win 10 in a row and they’d like to keep it going. The longest Mets’ winning streak last season? Four games. They won eight in a row in 2010. We have to go back to 2008 to find the last time they won 10 straight and they’ve matched that. A win Thursday gives them 11 in a row, which would mark the longest winning streak for the franchise since 1990, when they took 11 in a row in June.
In fact, an 11-game winning streak would tie the franchise record. It’s happened four times (1969, 1972, 1986, 1990). Will it become five? Bartolo Colon (3-0, 2.25) is on the hill against the Braves this afternoon to find out.
Bartolo Colon looks to help the Mets make some franchise history. (USATSI)
As we do everyday, we’ll keep you up to speed in here. Just keep coming back or just wait until your Friday morning coffee. Consider this a one-stop shop.
Thursday’s MLB action (all times ET) (Full scoreboard)
Pirates 5, Cubs 4 (Box score): The Cubs jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but poor defense and middle relief were their undoing, as the Pirates got three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh. Josh Harrison and the now red-hot Gregory Polanco led the way, as Harrison had a pair of doubles and runs while Polanco went 3-for-4 with two RBI, including the go-ahead single in the seventh. The Pirates bullpen also showed well, working four shutout innings and allowing only one hit while striking out five.
Marlins (David Phelps) at Phillies (Sean O’Sullivan) FOLLOW LIVE
Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez), FOLLOW LIVE
Braves (Julio Teheran) at Mets (Bartolo Colon), FOLLOW LIVE
Reds (Homer Bailey) at Brewers (Kyle Lohse) FOLLOW LIVE
Padres (Tyson Ross) at Rockies (Jordan Lyles) FOLLOW LIVE
Dodgers (Mike Bolsinger) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong) FOLLOW LIVE
Cardinals (Michael Wacha) at Nationals (Max Scherzer), 4:05
A’s (Jesse Chavez) at Angels (C.J. Wilson), 7:05
Orioles (Chris Tillman) at Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison), 7:07
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz) at Rays (Jake Odorizzi), 7:10
Royals (Yordano Ventura) at White Sox (Chris Sale), 8:10
Milestone Watch
The Mets count here. They can tie a franchise record, after all. They took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a bases-loaded double by Daniel Murphy. It was 5-3 Mets as of the last update to this post.
Also, highly touted Cubs prospect Addison Russell collected both his first career double and first career RBI in the fourth. This is obviously a personal milestone and not an MLB one.
Daily Awards
Catch of the day?
It’s far too early to say this will be the best, but in the first inning of the first game, Chris Denorfia of the Cubs pulled this beauty:
Laser of the day
Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run that legitimately looked like a low liner off the bat. Holy hell.
New low of the day
Phillies announce 17,097 fans today, lowest attendance in CBP history. Set previous low earlier this month (19,047).
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) April 23, 2015
Get outta my way of the day
A.J. Pierzynski bowls over the home plate umpire! Obviously this wasn’t intentional, but it’s hilarious given Pierzynski’s reputation.
AJ Pierzynski accidentally runs over the home plate umpire #Braves #Mets pic.twitter.com/ItskNuivQi
— Bartolo Is The Man (@MetsKevin11) April 23, 2015
Quick day at the office award
Corey Hart pinch hit, was intentionally walked, advanced to second on a single and then was removed for a pinch runner.
More to come
Injuries, News & Rumors
Blue Jays: Dioner Navarro has a strained hamstring is and headed to the disabled list. Josh Thole takes his place on the roster (Brendan Kennedy).
Dodgers: A.J. Ellis was able to throw again and is available off the bench in Thursday’s game (Dylan Hernandez).
Giants: Hunter Pence played catch Wednesday and still has some discomfort (Andrew Baggarly).
Marlins: Jose Fernandez is becoming an American citizen, several years after coming here from Cuba on a raft. Good for him.
Nationals: Anthony Rendon had no issues in his extended spring training game, so he’ll begin his rehab stint with Double-A Harrisburg Friday (Nationals.com).
Tigers: Joe Nathan has torn his UCL and will undergo Tommy John surgery, so his season is over.
Looking Ahead to Friday’s MLB action (all times ET)
All new series except one that got started Thursday and no games, but it’s a full slate of 15. Let’s get it on.
Mets (Jacob deGrom) at Yankees (Michael Pineda), 7:05
Red Sox (Rick Porcello) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez), 7:05
Braves (Alex Wood) at Phillies (Aaron Harang), 7:05
Indians (Danny Salazar) at Tigers (Shane Greene), 7:08
Cubs (Jon Lester) at Reds (Mike Leake), 7:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey) at Rays (Drew Smyly), 7:10
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann) at Marlins (Mat Latos), 7:10
Royals (Danny Duffy) at White Sox (Jose Quintana), 8:10
Cardinals (Carlos Martinez) at Brewers (Matt Garza), 8:10
Giants (Chris Heston) at Rockies (Eddie Butler), 8:40
Pirates (Gerrit Cole) at Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter), 9:40
Rangers (Colby Lewis) at Angels (Garrett Richards), 10:05
Astros (Dallas Keuchel) at A’s (Scott Kazmir), 10:05
Twins (Phil Hughes) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez), 10:10
Dodgers (Zack Greinke) at Padres (Andrew Cashner), 10:10
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