MLB wrapup: Surging Jays make it 10 straight
The top story is easily the Toronto Blue Jays winning their 10th straight game. They won nine in a row last season as part of a stretch that saw them win 15 of 17, but they never got to 10. They did win 11 in a row in 2013, so this group isn’t a stranger to extended winning streaks, despite the longest playoff drought in all of baseball.
Still, this is an awfully encouraging stretch in an AL East — and, really, entire American League — that doesn’t see anyone running away with first place and has more mediocre than good teams.
Also, this gets the Jays within one win of tying the franchise record long winning streak at 11. It happened in 1987, 1998 and 2013.
The pitching has really settled in after early struggles and the offense just continues to get it done. It’s different guys on different days, with the trio of sluggers — Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion — sometimes playing the hero role. Saturday, it was the lower part of the order, as 7-9 hitters Chris Colabello, Kevin Pillar and Ryan Goins each collected two hits while combining for three RBI and two runs. Six-hole hitter Russell Martin came through with the difference-making 11th-inning homer.
The bullpen was outstanding, working five scoreless innings while only allowing three hits and escaping a big-time jam in the seventh (see more on that below).
The offense continues to get most of the headlines and rightfully so, leading the majors in runs by a hefty margin, but the Blue Jays pitchers now have a 2.88 ERA in June.
— Matt Snyder
The Blue Jays have now won 10 games in a row. (USATSI)
Welcome to The Eye, a one-stop recap of everything you need to know from the day that was. Let’s jump on in.
Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 4 (Box score): The Red Sox battled from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game on a David Ortiz solo shot in the sixth. Then, in the seventh, they loaded the bases with one out only to see Ortiz and Xander Bogaerts strike out. They wouldn’t get another baserunner the rest of the game, which lasted 11 innings.
Angels 1, Athletics 0 (Box score): Albert Pujols hit his 538th home run (also his 10th blast in 15 games, wow!) and C.J. Wilson pitched seven innings of two-hit ball. He struck out eight. Pujols tied Ernie Banks with with 1,636 RBIs. But his home run was the thing:
Tough night for Oakland’s Kendall Graveman, who went the distance in defeat.
Padres 2, Dodgers 1 (Box score): Even more dramatic: Justin Upton’s go-ahead home run against Zack Greinke in the eighth inning, setting off the foghorn. It was Greinke’s 99th pitch, and you’ll notice him shake his head immediately after hanging it over the middle of the plate.
Not sure why they looked at a replay to confirm, it only made the Dodgers squirm a little.
Cubs 4, Reds 3 (Box score): Starlin Castro comes through with the game-ending hit after Kris Bryant led off with a double in the ninth. The game was delayed by rain, but at least the Chicago fans could watch the Blackhawks win Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on the new Wrigley videoboard. Another loss pushes the Reds one step closer to selling off some parts.
Orioles 9, Yankees 4 (Box score): Manny Machado homered and drove in four to power the O’s, who have won six straight to climb over .500. Alex Rodriguez blasted his 666th home run to creep within five hits of 3,000 for his career, and he surpassed 2,000 RBIs in the process. He’s just Mr. Milestone, isn’t he? The Yankees, though, lost for the third straight time after winning seven in a row.
Diamondbacks 4, Giants 2 (Box score): Allen Webster pitched into the sixth inning in his D-backs debut, and Paul Goldschmidt had two hits and an RBI. Arizona put up three runs in the first against Ryan Vogelsong.
Cardinals 3, Royals 2 (Box score): Tyler Lyons filled in nicely with Lance Lynn out, and the bullpen finished off K.C. And outfielder Jason Heyward made a game-saving catch, possibly, blindfolded by the sun, figuratively.
Marlins 4, Rockies 1 (Box score): Mat Latos struck out 11, which was the most encouraging news the Fish have gotten in a long while. It was his first start since May 21, out because of a knee injury. Giancarlo Stanton has 23 home runs. Crazy. He also has 12 RBIs over the past six games.
Mariners 8, Astros 1 (Box score): Obviously, the key for the Mariners was not letting Felix Hernandez pitch again.
Braves 5, Mets 3 — 11 inn. (Box score): Freddie Freeman tied the score in the ninth, and Cameron Maybin got the key hit to put the Braves ahead. Celebrating in New York City will be fun. The Mets made three errors.
Rays 5, White Sox 4 (Box score): Steven Souza drove in the tying run, stole a base and scored the winning run. Someone ought to write a song in Souza’s honor.
Nationals 7, Brewers 2 (Box score): Bryce Harper took a 95 mph fastball off his right knee and had to leave the game, but he’s OK, folks. And bombastic as usual in the postgame chat machine, via the Associated Press:
”We’re a great team. I think everybody knows that. I’ve been preaching all year in the media, in the clubhouse, that we’ve got one of the best lineups in baseball,” said Harper, who was pulled as a precaution after being hit in the ninth inning by Michael Blazek‘s errant fastball. ”When we do the things we need to do, we’re going to score a lot of runs.”
Indiand 5, Tigers 4 (Box score): Justin Verlander returned from a season-long injury, and his results were mixed.
Pirates 5, Phillies 4 (Box score): Gerrit Cole allowied two runs — one earned — over six innings, lowering his ERA to 1.71. He also won his 10th game, if you’re into that.
Rangers 11, Twins 7 (Box score): But it doesn’t matter because top prospect Byron Buxton is coming up from the minor leagues for Minnesota!
Milestone Watch
A-Rod’s 2,995th career hit, along with RBIs 2,000 and 2,001:
Longest active hit streak: It’s Marcell Ozuna of the Marlins at 13.
Daily Awards
Contest of the day
Grand prize winner receives tickets to 2016 Reds Opening Day. #GetYourStacheOn official rules: http://t.co/Zvqb5oaoAl pic.twitter.com/GpsI5Pli6q
— #VoteReds (@Reds) June 13, 2015
Exit velocity stat of the day
Carlos Correa is good.
Carlos Correa has hit 55% of the balls he’s put in play 100 MPH+. He hits the ball hard. pic.twitter.com/70rJbRMvbV
— Daren Willman (@darenw) June 13, 2015
Dog of the day
When your dog’s more dye hard than you are. #Boss pic.twitter.com/bAhc4GSxrV
— MLB (@MLB) June 13, 2015
Reunion of the day
Bob Brenly & Mike Krukow. In ’86, Kruk won 20 games with BB as his catcher #ForeverGiant (via Jon Miller’s Instagram) pic.twitter.com/xg3DZyy9CI
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) June 13, 2015
Manager snark of the day
This is awesome (it needs to be noted that Yost was being playful and not mean).
Asked why his team was taking BP in the heat, Ned Yost: “Because we’re not all sissies like you.” The Royals: Tougher than Andy McCullough.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) June 13, 2015
Minor-league bobblehead of the night
It’s Corey Seager Bobblehead night at the @RCQuakes. But make sure you get there early cause they’ll go fast! pic.twitter.com/MMeIc2bLnQ
— Minor League Promos (@MiLBPromos) June 13, 2015
Welcome back
Justin Verlander made his 2015 debut and recorded a groundball out (MLB.com video).
Carlos Santana also welcomed Verlander back:
Santana’s 6 career HR’s off Verlander are his most vs. any MLB pitcher; Jim Thome (7) only player with more career HR’s off Verlander
— #VoteKip #VoteTribe (@Indians) June 13, 2015
Blast of the day
Joey Gallo murdered a baseball to the tune of 461 feet in Globe Life Park.
Only homers longer than @JoeyGallo24 are Hamilton (490), Canseco (480) and a Mitchwich in 2012 (463).
— Anthony Andro (@aandro) June 13, 2015
Vendor of the day
During a rain delay in St. Louis …
Give him credit…a vendor just shouted his beer will make you waterproof!!
— Brian Stull (@StullySTL) June 13, 2015
Well done, Mr. Vendor.
Injuries, News & Rumors
Athletics’ A.J. Griffin roughed up in rehab start
Kevin Plawecki missing fifth straight for Mets
Mariners LF Rickie Weeks designate for assignment
Mariners recall RP Danny Farquhar
Yankees sign reliever Sergio Santos to big-league contract
Report: Blue Jays call Athletics about Tyler Clippard
Aaron Hicks scratched from Twins lineup after elbow issue
Dbacks recall Allen Webster, designate J.C. Ramirez for assignment
Tigers’ Victor Martinez to start rehab assignment on Sunday
Report: Mets reunite with OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis
Royals place Jason Vargas on DL, call up Brandon Finnegan
Rangers shut down Martin Perez‘s rehab
Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval leaves game with quad tightness
Rays’ Matt Moore scheduled for 80 pitches in next rehab outing
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow (all times ET)
ok
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
