MLB Game Recaps: Foul Ball Wins Game For the Rangers
The Rangers improved their overall record to 13-3 and their road record to 8-1 with a win over the Detroit Tigers yesterday. The win itself helped the Rangers maintain the best record in baseball, but it came on a peculiar play.
Texas was trailing 2-1 as the game headed into the eighth inning. Detroit’s rookie, Drew Smyly had pitched a gem and was in line for his first Major League win, but Texas scored to tie things up. Elvis Adnrus walked, advanced on a wild pitch, moved to third on the throw by the catcher, and scored on a Josh Hamilton sacrifice fly. And with that, the game moved into extras.
In the top of the eleventh, the Rangers loaded the bases with no one out. Alberto Gonzalez had plans of laying down a bunt for the suicide squeeze. He squared to bunt, made contact, but the ball glanced off his back knee and rolled into fair territory. Home plate umpire Tim Welke didn’t see the ball hit Gonzalez and ruled it fair. The run scored, and Texas held on for the win.
The Rangers swept the Tigers, who many had picked as the clear favorite to advance to the World Series this year. The Rangers, however, have flexed their offensive muscle all year long. They’ve now scored 91 runs which leads all of baseball and equates to 5.69 runs per game.
American League
Minnesota – 2
Tampa Bay – 6
Francisco Liriano dropped to 0-3 on the season and continued his struggles in 2012. Tampa Bay scored 5 runs off Liriano in his five innings. Liriano walked four in the game, and Desmond Jennings went deep for the Rays.
Toronto – 5
Kansas City – 3
The Royals have now dropped their 10th straight game and have fallen to 3-13 on the young season. Toronto scored four early and Kansas City couldn’t dig themselves out of the hole. The Royals, this year’s All-Star Game hosts have their longest losing streak since 2008.
Baltimore – 3
Los Angeles (A) – 2
Nick Markakis hit an RBI single in the 10th to put Baltimore ahead and eventually give them the win. Markakis also hit a two-run single in the eighth to give the Orioles their first lead of the game before the Angels came back and tied it in the bottom of the inning. Albert Pujols was 0 for 4 and remains homerless on the season.
Cleveland – 1
Oakland – 5
Tyson Ross pitched his way to his first win since early last year, on his birthday no less. The 25-year old tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowed four hits, and gave up just one run. Oakland avoided the sweep with the win.
Chicago (A) – 7
Seattle – 4
The White Sox brought their brooms to Safeco Field and completed the sweep of the Mariners. Alex Rios hit a two-run triple in the sixth to tie the game and later scored on a sacrifice fly to put the White Sox ahead for good. The White Sox improve to 9-6, just a 1/2 game behind the Tigers.
New York (A)
Boston
Postponed due to rain.
National League
San Francisco
New York (N)
Postponed due to rain.
Miami
Washington
Postponed due to rain.
St. Louis – 5
Pittsburgh – 1
Kyle Lohse has continued to step up as the team;s ace as Chris Carpenter sits on the D.L. and Adam Wainwright struggles early on. He pitched seven innings, allowed six hits, and gave up just one run. Lohse improved to 3-0 on the season, and the Cardinals moved to 11-5.
Los Angeles (N) – 0
Houston – 12
The hot-hitting Dodgers were cooled off by the Astros yesterday as Houston blanked them. Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven innings of shut-out ball while allowing just three hits. Jordan Schaefer hit a grand slam to help the Astros avoid the sweep.
Colorado – 4
Milwaukee – 1
Ryan Braun was presented with his MVP trophy before the game, but the Rockies spoiled the celebration for Milwaukee. The Brewers had opportunities but couldn’t push across the runs necessary to keep up with Colorado. The game was actually tied through seven before the Rockies scored two in the eighth and one in the ninth.
Cincinnati – 4
Chicago (N) – 3
Chicago made it interesting with a run in the ninth to close within one of tying the game, but the Reds pulled out the win. Johnny Queto pitched 6 1/3 innings while giving up just two runs. He struck out seven.
Philadelphia – 1
San Diego – 6
Despite five errors between the two team in the first three innings, the Padres managed to explode by their standard offensively. Anthony Bass pitched six strong innings giving up just an unearned run. The Padres have won two straight for just the first time this season.
Atlanta – 4
Arizona – 6
Gerardo Parra hit a grand slam in the second inning to help power the Dbacks to victory. Ian Kennedy seven innings and allowed three runs. He improved his record on the season to 3-0. The Dbacks improved to .500 and picked up a game on the Dodgers who lost.
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