Live blog: All the best of Friday's MLB action
After the Cardinals loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th Friday night, the Cubs pulled out all of the stops by using the novel five-man infield approach, bringing in outfielder Mike Baxter from right, in order to clog up the hitting lanes for Jhonny Peralta. Here’s what he was looking at:
Cubs going with the 5-man infield, 2-man outfield. pic.twitter.com/sR34wbnqyR
— Chris Tunno (@TunesSTL) June 27, 2015
And it kind of worked, too, because Peralta hit a ground ball fielded by Baxter — but he rushed the throw home, possibly too late, but definitely too high and wild for an error, allowing Peter Bourjos to score the winning run. Cardinals 3, Cubs 2.
Watch it unfold:
It was the fourth straight victory for St. Louis, and the third-straight loss for the Cubs. The bad news for the Cardinals: Bourjos was woozy after he appeared to be kicked in the head inadvertently by catcher David Ross at the plate. It’s a hard-knock life in the NL Central.
Welcome to the Eye for Friday, a day which frequently comes with a new set of series (plural!) or Game 2 of a four-game series. The new ones bring some intrigue, too.
The Cubs–Cardinals series in St. Louis is the most exciting NL matchup, as it pits a pair of playoff hopefuls who also happen to be historically fierce rivals. It’s not so much that the Cubs could make a significant run at the Cardinals’ first-place lead — even a sweep would have gotten them to within just 5 1/2 games of the Cards in the NL Central — but the Cubs are in wild-card position right now. It’s two playoff-caliber rivals going head-to-head with the youngsters against the establishment.
Anthony Rizzo’s Cubs visit Matt Carpenter’s Cardinals this weekend. (USATSI)
Max effort again
Max Scherzer appeared headed toward another date with history when he retired the first 16 batters he faced until Freddy Galvis broke up his perfect game with a double in the sixth. Scherzer even gave up two runs — one from Ben Revere on a home run! — but the Nationals beat the Phillies 5-2. Washington ran its winning streak to six, and Scherzer extended the franchise’s record scoreless streak from its starting pitchers to 47 1/3 innings. So, no second no-hitter from Mad Max, no Johnny Vander Meer duplication, but still a great run, as our Mike Axisa notes.
Giancarl-OUCH!
The Dodgers drilled the Marlins 7-1 behind a 10-strikeout performance by left-hander Brett Anderson, but the bigger story from South Beach is what’s going on with the left hand of Giancarlo Stanton. He says he felt pain in his palm after a swing, which increased at the night went on. He’s getting an X-ray on Saturday, so everyone has that long to hold his or her breath.
Wild-card reunion special
The best series this weekend, for our money, is one from the later games. The Royals are visiting Oakland, with KC getting a jump in the opener (5-1 in the eighth inning). The Royals own the best record in the AL while the A’s came in as one of baseball’s hottest teams. There’s also the drama from this past April, concerning Brett Lawrie, Kelvin Herrera and a few other players. We have more on the Royals-A’s here from Matt Snyder. But now, golf:
Mike Moustakas hit a hole in one on No. 17 at Pebble Beach yesterday.
— Sam Mellinger (@mellinger) June 27, 2015
Ah, it’s good to see the Royals are taking advantage of their time in the Bay Area.
Final scores
Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 — 10 innings: Recap | Box score
Yankees 3, Astros 2: Recap | Box score
Brewers 10, Twins 4: Recap | Box score
Pirates 3, Braves 2 — 10 innings: Recap | Box score
Red Sox 4, Rays 3 — 10 innings: Recap | Box score
Nationals 5, Phillies 2: Recap | Box score
Orioles 4, Indians 3: Recap | Box score
Mets 2, Reds 1: Recap | Box score
Dodgers 7, Marlins 1: Recap | Box score
Blue Jays 12, Rangers 2: Recap | Box score
Tigers 5, White Sox 4: Recap | Box score
In progress
Milestone Watch
300 home runs: Prince Fielder, get to trottin’:
A Nationals starter finally allows a run: And it was Scherzer, who allowed a run in the seventh, snapping the team’s franchise-record 47 1/3 straight scoreless innings. The Associated Press reports it was the second-longest streak since 1961, trailing the 1974 Orioles who went 54 innings.
30 for 30: Kyle Lohse of the Brewers
By beating the Twins, Kyle Lohse becomes just the 14th pitcher in MLB history to defeat all 30 active franchise!
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 27, 2015
Active on-base streak ends: Joey Votto had reached in 32 straight, but the Mets said no more.
1,000 career hits: Let’s give it up for Adam Lind!
Adam Lind is the 1,159th player since 1901 to reach 1,000 career hits, according to the fine folks at @baseball_ref.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 27, 2015
Longest active hit streak: Jason Kipnis of the Indians went 1 for 5 to extend his hitting streak to 20 games.
A-Rod watch: At 3,009 hits, he’s only one away from tying Wade Boggs for 26th on the all-time list. Rodriguez rested on Saturday.
Daily Awards
Old friend alert: Jack McKeon!
Trader Jack in the house! pic.twitter.com/ysUc27XRTf
— #VoteMarlins (@Marlins) June 26, 2015
Pitching batter alert: Adam Rosales of the Rangers.
Even Nolan Ryan gave up a home run or two. #NotAPitcher pic.twitter.com/dWL55xgEQj
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) June 27, 2015
Rosales did not allow a home run to Edwin Encarnacion, who hit two including his seventh grand slam.
Dive into the stands of the day part one: Steven Souza of the Rays.
While making a running grab, Steven Souza figured he’d drop by the seating area for a snack: http://t.co/sDAqmMBTxz pic.twitter.com/jkkPYUZeVC
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 27, 2015
Dive into the stands of the day part two: Mike Baxter of the Cubs.
Oh hey, didn’t see ya there! http://t.co/SK3vhv82FH pic.twitter.com/cyJ4uEEGDk
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) June 27, 2015
A little more dainty, but no less effective.
Handshake of the day
Did we just become best friends?! pic.twitter.com/v1KRMUqIxj
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) June 27, 2015
No idea who these people are, or why they’re doing such a ritual or who taught them.
Injuries, News & Rumors
Patrick Corbin has successful rehab start for D-backs
Giancarlo Stanton injures left palm, will get X-rays Saturday
Ryne Sandberg resigns as Phillies manager
Report: Pirates eyeing Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz
Orioles’ Gausman scratched at Triple-A in case he’s needed in majors
Tigers SP Justin Verlander plans on making Tuesday start
Indians’ Bourn will have ruling on appeal of suspension by July 10
Rays SP Drew Smyly to throw off mound Saturday
Rays DH John Jaso to begin rehab assignment Saturday
Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig (hand) out of lineup Friday
Wrist injury has Red Sox LF Hanley Ramirez out again Friday
Shoulder issue has Orioles CF Adam Jones out again Friday
Report: Nationals promoting Trea Turner to Triple-A
Twins place Byron Buxton (thumb) on 15-day DL
Mets’ Wilmer Flores would be OK with move to second base
Yankees’ Girardi waiting until next off-day to finalize five-man rotation
Cardinals’ Holliday progresses in rehab to throwing, hitting off tee
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow’s MLB action (all times ET)
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.
