MLB Game Recaps: Justin Verlander nearly no-hits Pittsburgh Pirates

Detroit Tigers 6, Pittsburgh Pirates 0

Josh Harrison broke up Justin Verlander‘s no-hit bid with one out in the ninth, as the Detroit Tigers ace finished the game with just two walks allowed and a total of 12 strikeouts. Verlander has pitched the best game of the season thus far, and this is reflected by his Game Score of 95. Delmon Young smashed the game’s lone homer, and it was a 423 foot shot in the fourth inning off of Pirates starter Charlie Morton. Both Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder doubled for the seventh time this year, with shortstop Johnny Peralta going 3-4 with a double.

White Sox 3, Cubs 2

Phil Humber and Jeff Samardzija battled it out in this one, with Humber emerging victorious despite Samardzija pitching better. The former Notre Dame star tight end struck out eight hitters and allowed three runs in 7.1 innings, while Mr. Perfecto allowed two runs and five hits in 6.1. Gordon Beckham homered for the Sox, while David DeJesus supplied two hits and a double for the Cubs. Paul Konerko smashed his eighth round-tripper of the year, and Cubs 2B Darwin Barney had two doubles to tie up DeJesus with ten on the season.

Phillies 6, Red Sox 4

Jonathan Papelbon recorded his 12th save of the season, and it came against his former team. Cole Hamels went seven strong with nine strikeouts, while Daniel Bard allowed five runs in five innings for the Sox. Mike Aviles continues his strong season with a double and a homer. The Phillies move to 21-19 on the season, and cleanup hitter Hunter Pence is now in double-digits in homers this year.

Marlins 3, Indians 2

The Cleveland Indians are now in the top ten in our site’s power rankings, but the AL Central leaders could not pick up a win in the first game of interleague play. Carlos Zambrano and Justin Masterson were both solid through seven innings. Randy Choate recorded his seventh hold of the year for Miami, while Heath Bell was slotted back into the closer spot and pitched a perfect ninth to save his fourth game of the year.

Yankees 4, Reds 0

Starting pitcher Andy Pettitte won his first game since the 2010 season, and the New York Yankees favorite did it in terrific fashion. He pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed just four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. 79 of his 115 pitches went for strikes, and he received homers from Raul Ibanez and Robinson Cano. The Bombers second baseman hit his fourth homer of the season, and it traveled 438 feet.

Orioles 2, Nationals 1

The Baltimore Orioles prevailed in eleven innings in this rivalry game, as star outfielder Nick Markakis hit a homer to right field to end it in the 11th. Edwin Jackson mowed down the O’s through eight innings and allowed just one run, one walk, five hits, and struck out eight. Baltimore youngster Jake Arrieta allowed six hits, one run, and one walk with nine K’s in seven great innings.

Blue Jays 15, Mets 4

The New York Mets could not control the Toronto Blue Jays powerful offense, as catcher Jake Arencibia led the way with two homers in the 15-run outburst. The Jays hit five home runs in total, with Rajai Davis contributing two shots from the No. 9 hole. For the Mets, Scott Hairston homered in the eight inning, but the damage was done in a horrible start for Jonathan Niese. Jays starter Ricky Romero won his fifth game of the season after allowing just three hits and one run in six innings.

Braves 5, Rays 3

Martin Prado had two hits, three runs, a double, and a homer off of J.P. Howell in this contest, as the Braves won their 25th game of the season. One of the top five teams in our power rankings, the Braves were able to make James Shields look mediocre through six innings. Meanwhile, Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson tossed seven innings of two-run ball.

Rangers 4, Astros 1

In this  battle between one great and one not-so-great team in the Lone Star State, the top team in our power rankings since the beginning of the season prevailed. Neftali Feliz only lasted 4.2 innings due to a high amount of walks (five) and too many pitches (101). Despite the inefficiency, he was still decent and struck out six hitters. Robbie Ross filled in for 2.1 innings after Feliz and is now 5-1 on the season, with Joe Nathan recording his ninth save of the year.

Diamondbacks 6, Royals 4

Miguel Montero had two doubles and drove in three runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks offense over Royals starter Luis Mendoza. Willie Bloomquist had three hits, but it’s still quizzical as to why Kirk Gibson is slotting a .299 OBP guy in one of the most important spots in the line-up.

Twins 11, Brewers 3

The Milwaukee Brewers got shellacked at home by the consensus worst team in the MLB, per our power rankings and pretty much everyone else. Starting pitcher Marco Estrada gave up four runs, but he wasn’t terrible. Vinnie Chulk, however, had an embarrassing game and allowed four earned runs in the only inning he pitched. In that eventful eighth inning, Denard Span, Joe Mauer, and Justin Morneau all recorded RBIs. Span finished with four hits, three steaks, and three runs; Mauer had three hits, two runs, and three ribbies; and Morneau had two hits and three RBIs.

Mariners 4, Rockies 0

Kevin Millwood, of all people, shut down the Colorado Rockies at Coors in a complete game shutout for the veteran. He allowed just two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts and had a Game Score of 89 in an excellent pitching performance. Youngster Alex White provided seven solid innings for Colorado, but it is extremely difficult to top what Millwood did in this one.

Angels 7, Padres 2

The Angels made quick work of an easy foe, as ace Jered Weaver picked up his sixth win of the season by pitching seven innings of three-hit, two-run ball. Scott Downs notched his seventh hold of the year and has not given up a run all season. Why are people still skeptical of him? There is no doubt in my mind that Downs could have closed and done a great job of it. Mike Trout led the way in the romping of Padres starter Jeff Suppan by knocking three hits from the lead-off spot- including a triple.

Dodgers 6, Cardinals 5

Adam Kennedy went 4-4 against his former team in an excellent game for the light-hitting infielder who rarely ever has a game like that. There are rumors that the Dodgers are looking for an upgrade at first base, but James Loney had a nice game against Lance Lynn and had three hits and two RBIs with his tenth double of the year. Kenley Jansen is now 3-0 on the year, and he will thank Fernando Salas (5.52 ERA this year) for walking A.J. Ellis to score in pinch-hitter Elian Herrera.

 Giants 8, Athletics 6

Barry Zito didn’t pitch well, but rookie starter Jarrod Parker was even worse. The promising starter had a disappointing outing and only lasted two innings in this Bay Area rivalry match-up. Josh Donaldson had a huge three-hit ballgame with five RBIs to lead the A’s, and he had two doubles and homered for the first time this year. Angel Pagan walked twice and scored three runs with a double, and Brandon Belt drove in three runs to lead the Giants to victory. Good stuff happens when you free Belt.