Yadier Molina’s first triple since 2011 pushes Cardinals to victory
Take a look around the league with Big League Stew’s daily wrap up. We’ll hit on all of the biggest moments from the day that you may have missed, while providing highlights, photos and interesting stats.
The St. Louis Cardinals recent run of success has been built on a foundation of resilience and timely hitting. In their 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, both were on full display as they battled back from a two-run deficit in the eighth inning.
The timely hit? How about a two-out, bases-clearing triple from Yadier Molina.
Yeah, that’s about as timely as they come considering Molina had not tripled since May 22, 2011. In fact, in 1,415 career games, it was only his fourth three-bagger overall. That’s roughly one every 353 games.
[Play a Daily Fantasy contest for cash today!l]
Of course, the only numbers the Cardinals care about were in the run column. The come-from-behind victory got starting pitcher Lance Lynn off the hook after he tossed six innings of two-run ball. Reliever Miguel Socolovich pitched a scoreless seventh to pick up the win. Trevor Rosenthal handled the ninth for his 29th save.
For the White Sox, John Danks took a no-decision despite 6 2/3 scoreless frames. Zach Duke was charged with the loss, though it was closer David Robertson who allowed Molina’s triple.
With the win, St. Louis became the first MLB team to 60 wins. They’re enjoying a comfortable six game lead in the NL Central.
A-ROD POWERS YANKEES TO VICTORY WITH 20TH HOMER
The Alex Rodriguez revival tour continued on Wednesday as the 40-year-old designated hitter slugged his 20th home run of the season. At 450 feet, the home run was also the longest hit at Yankee Stadium this season, and wouldn’t you know it also held up as the difference in New York’s 4-3 victory against the Baltimore Orioles.
It’s the latest chapter in what has become a truly remarkable comeback story. Predicting 20 home runs for the season felt like a stretch just four months ago, let alone 20 homers by Aug. 1, but he’s been able to stay healthy, consistent and productive the entire way.
The same can also be said for Mark Teixeira, who on Wednesday delivered his 24th homer of the season. His two-run homer helped stake New York to an early 3-0 lead, while keeping him on pace for his first 30-homer, 100-RBI season since 2011.
Continuing the comeback theme, Ivan Nova picked up the win with six innings of two-run ball. This was hiis fifth start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last season, and so far he’s looking good with a 3.34 ERA over 29 2/3 innings.
METS LOSE CHANCE TO GAIN GROUND
An opportunity to win a series in Washington and climb to within one game of the division lead slipped right through the New York Mets fingers on Wednesday.
Leading by two in the eighth inning, former closer Bobby Parnell imploded, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, which allowed Washington to steal a 4-3 victory.
Michael A. Taylor, who drove in Washington’s first run in the fourth, was the man in the middle of the action. His two-out, two-run single tied the game. After then swiping second base, Taylor would come around to score the game-winner on Danny Espinosa’s double. Ian Desmond also had a big afternoon, reaching base four times and scoring twice.
[Check out Big League Stew on Tumblr for even more baseball awesomeness.]
Drew Storen struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his 29th save. Jordan Zimmerman picked up a no-decision after pitching seven innings of three-run ball. Mets’ starter Noah Syndergaard was far from sharp, allowing one run and 10 baserunners in five innings, but his efforts were once again wasted.
RAYS LOSE SERIES TO PHILLIES, FALL BACK UNDER .500
After a terrific start to the season, the Tampa Bay Rays are quickly fading to the background in a complicated AL East. Matters were not helped by a disappointing series this week in Philadelphia, which concluded Wednesday with a 5-4 loss in 10 innings.
With the loss, Tampa Bay not only dropped the series to MLB’s worst team, but fell to 6-12 in July. They currently sit 48-49, 5 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees.
As for the Phillies, they’ve gone 5-1 since the All-Star break, including a weekend sweep of the Miami Marlins. On Wednesday, pinch-hitter Odubel Herrera played the role of hero, knocking home Domonic Brown with the game-winner. Brown and Ben Revere each had three hits to pace the win.
In perhaps his final home appearance with the Phillies, Jonathan Papelbon picked up the victory. He tossed two scoreless innings, which lowered his season ERA to 1.63.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
