MLB Game Recaps: Miguel Cabrera, Alex Avila Lead Tigers Sweep of Red Sox
By Editorial Staff
The box score of yesterday’s top contest looks more like that of an intramural softball game than one played at the major league level. The finale between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers featured five lead changes and offered fans all kinds of offensive fireworks. Pitchers avert your eyes.
Detroit jumped out to an early 5-0 advantage against Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz. Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer went on to give this lead right back by the third frame, but Detroit was able to knot things up at 7-all by the fourth.
Boston took the lead and then extended it to three by the time the bottom of the ninth rolled around. That’s when Miguel Cabrera kept the sweep alive with his three-run blast off of Red Sox “closer” Alfredo Aceves.
The resilient Sox fought back for two in the 11th, but Alex Avila’s walk-off home run ended things in the bottom of the frame.
American League
Blue Jays – 3
Indians – 4
Toronto couldn’t muster another late rally. Derek Lowe (7 IP, 0 ER) and Carlos Santana (two home runs) were too much for the Blue Jays to handle.
Minnesota Twins – 1
Baltimore Orioles – 3
Baltimore received another strong effort from a starting pitcher to finish off their sweep of the Twins. Jason Hammel, who took a no-no late into the game, held Minnesota to two hits and one earned run over his eight innings of work.
New York Yankees – 0
Tampa Bay Rays – 3
Tampa Bay brought out the brooms Sunday as Jeremy Hellickson made it to within a batter of a complete game shutout against the Yankees.
Kansas City Royals – 7
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 3
Kansas City took it to Angels starter Ervin Santana early. Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer finished with two hits and three RBIs apiece.
Chicago White Sox – 0
Texas Rangers – 5
Matt Harrison and the Rangers ‘pen limited the White Sox to six hits on the night. David Murphy, Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton all homered for Texas.
National League
Miami Marlins – 5
Cincinnati Reds – 6
Heath Bell collected his first blown save and loss as a Marlin. Jay Bruce used his second home run of the game to even it up in the ninth before Scott Rolen’s walk-off single.
Atlanta Braves – 5
New York Mets – 7
Meet the perfect Mets. New York pitchers held Atlanta to three hits on their way to a series sweep.
Philadelphia Phillies – 4
Pittsburgh Pirates – 5
The offenses woke up a bit yesterday, but the Pirates were able to walk off once again. Andrew McCutchen was Sunday’s hero with three hits including the game winner.
Colorado Rockies – 2
Houston Astros – 3
Houston claimed the opening series with a late rally. Bud Norris kept the Astros in it, allowing four hits and two earned runs over his seven innings of work.
St. Louis Cardinals – 9
Milwaukee Brewers – 3
Carlos Beltran tallied three hits including a home run and Lance Lynn did his best Chris Carpenter impression, holding the Brewers to two hits and a single run over his 6 2/3 innings.
Washington Nationals – 3
Chicago Cubs – 4
It looks like Jeff Samardzija may be able to handle the switch to the rotation. The former Notre Dame receiver logged 8 2/3 innings Sunday, striking out eight and only surrendering four hits and one earned run.
Los Angeles Dodgers – 4
San Diego Padres – 8
Clayton Richard didn’t allow an earned run over his seven innings of work while Chase Headley contributed four RBIs for the Padres.
San Francisco Giants – 6
Arizona Diamondbacks – 7
San Fran jumped out to an early lead, but Arizona was able to claw their way back for their third straight one-run victory over the Giants.
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