Rangers ambush Dallas Keuchel, demolish Astros to extend AL West lead
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 Texas Rangers weren’t just satisfied with moving into first place on Tuesday, they want to make it their permanent residence. With Wednesday’s 14-3 victory against the team they leapfrogged, the Houston Astros, they took a giant step toward achieving that while sending a power message.
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The Rangers wasted no time, ambushing Houston’s ace Dallas Keuchel for six runs in the first inning and nine earned run over 4 1/3 innings. That’s the same Dallas Keuchel who started the All-Star game in July, and had not allowed more than five runs in any of his first 29 starts this season. He’s been among the game’s very best, but the Rangers made quick work of him.
The first-inning barrage was keyed by several good plate appearances and two big swings. Mike Napoli delivered the first, a three-run homer scoring Shin-soo Choo and Prince Fielder. Rougned quickly followed with a two-run shot scoring Elvis Andrus.
The Rangers relentless attack continued with another run in the third and two more in the fifth against Keuchel. Prince Fielder launched his own three-run homer in the sixth, and then Bobby Wilson capped the scoring with a two-run shot in the seventh.
With the win, Texas is at worst guaranteed to hold the division lead through the series, and at best in position to complete a four-game sweep. They’ll go for that Thursday night with veteran Colby Lewis facing off against Houston rookie Lance McCullers.
JAKE ARRIETA DENIED 20TH WIN, CUBS STILL TOP PIRATES
If the Chicago Cubs are going to make a deep postseason run, it will likely begin with a big start from Jake Arrieta at PNC Park in the NL wild-card game.
With considerably less pressure on Wednesday, the 29-year-old right hander was up to the task against those same Pirates at PNC. Despite falling short of his 20th victory, Arrieta was in full control, limiting Pittsburgh to two runs over eight innings.
Arrieta did exactly what manager Joe Maddon needed him to do. He kept the Cubs in the game as they battled A.J. Burnett and Pittsburgh’s solid bullpen. They went on to win the game 3-2 in 12 innings, and moved to within three of the Pirates in the wild-card standings.
The Cubs broke through for two against Burnett in the sixth. Kris Bryant started the scoring with an RBI double. An error from relief pitcher Jared Hughes led directly to Chicago’s second run. They wouldn’t push across another run until the 12th, when Anthony Rizzo lifted a sacrifice fly to score pinch-runner Quintin Berry.
Credit both bullpens. Combined, they allowed that one run in 11 2/3 innings. Cubs closer Hector Rondon worked especially hard, firing two scoreless frames to bring home the win.
All three games in the series have been hotly contest and ultimately decided by one run. The Cubs have won each of the last two and will look to make it three in the finale on Thursday afternoon.
DAVID ORTIZ MAKES MORE HOME RUN HISTORY
With his 500th career home run in his rear view mirror, Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has already moved on to his next home run milestone. In Wednesday’s 10-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles, Ortiz muscled up for No. 501, which gave him 35 on the season and placed him elite territory.
Nobody around here is going to call Ortiz an “old man” even in baseball terms. He’s swinging as good as we’ve ever seen, and that definitely counts his prime seasons when the 35+ home run seasons were really piling up.
We’re talking best of the best in Red Sox history in that group.
Dustin Pedroia is another player who has achieved legendary status in Boston. He added to Wednesday, connecting for two home runs and driving in five. That was more than enough offense for Henry Owens. The rookie right-hander tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his third win.
BLUE JAYS CONTINUE RAKING, ADD TO SHELBY MILLER’S MISERY
Shelby Miller’s poor luck this season has been well documented. On Wednesday, he simply ran into a buzzsaw named the Toronto Blue Jays.
Shelby Miller’s poor luck this season has been well documented. On Wednesday, he simply ran into a buzzsaw named the Toronto Blue Jays.
Miller’s winless streak reached 22 starts in the Blue Jays 9-1 victory. It was, perhaps, his worst outing the unfortunate streak. He did allow six runs in a game against Washington last week. Here, he allowed five runs, four of which were earned, but lasted just 3 2/3 innings. If nothing else, it was his shortest start of the entire season.
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Toronto did most of its damage in the first, plating four runs on four hits and an error. Jose Bautista doubled home one, while Russell Martin plated two more with his own double. Martin would also capped the Blue Jays scoring with a two-run homer in the ninth. He has 20 on the season.
In between, it was all David Price. The Blue Jays ace pitched seven innings of one-run ball while striking out nine. He’s 7-1 since joining Toronto at the trade deadline and 16-5 overall.
In other AL East news, the Yankees did keep pace with a 3-1 win against the Rays. The Blue Jays lead remains at three games.
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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
