MLB Game Recaps: Johan Santana throws first no-hitter in New York Mets History
New York Mets 8, St. Louis Cardinals 0
It’s been a long 50 years, but New York Mets fans have finally been treated to the gem that they have been missing; a no-hitter. The man who threw it? None other than Johan Santana, who pitched a four-hit shutout not too long ago and is back on the road to not only recovery but to great pitching.
Santana may have walked five batters, but he also struck out eight in the no-hitter to finish with a Game Score of 90. Sure he had 16 fly-outs and just three groundouts, but the St. Louis Cardinals never got a hit anyway. Mets fans will celebrate this game and moment of magic, and Johan Santana will forever be etched into the lore of one of baseball’s biggest franchises.
Yankees 9, Tigers 4
Curtis Granderson drove in four runs and homered for the 17th time this year, while Alex Rodriguez also homered to lead the 28-23 New York Yankees over the sub-.500 Detroit Tigers. CF Quintin Berry did all he could and managed to total three hits at the top of the Detroit order, but the Yankees received seven decent innings from C.C. Sabathia and absolutely rocked the Tigers pitchers.
Indians 7, Twins 1
The Cleveland Indians prevailed in this battle of AL Central foes, with the game like their records- not even close. A lot of had to do with both team’s starting pitchers, because Carl Pavano couldn’t even pitch through four innings, while the Indians Derek Lowe allowed just one run in 6.2 innings. Jason Kipnis drove in four runs, and Lonnie Chisenhall had a big day with three hits.
Phillies 6, Marlins 4
The Phillies No.2-4 hitters had three hits apiece, while Jose Reyes was the lone three-hit man for the Miami Marlins. Justin Ruggiano came to the Marlins as a depth outfielder from a trade with the Houston Astros recently, but he’s played a bigger role for the team than I thought. Ruggiano went 2-2 as a pinch-hitter in a loss that included a five-out save for his 15th of the year from Jonathan Papelbon.
Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 2
With this Boston win, both AL East teams have identical records at 27-25. Clay Buchholz finally got it together and wove an eight inning gem with seven strikeouts and allowed just two runs. Daniel Nava, of all people, had four hits and three runs, and Adrian Gonzalez knocked three hits as well. Nava would finish the game with three doubles.
Rays 5, Orioles 0
David Price tossed 7.1 innings of scoreless ball with just four hits and two walks for the 30-win Tampa Bay Rays. The O’s were shut down without an extra base hit, and only stars Adam Jones and Matt Wieters managed multi-hits. Not even Nick Markakis could have helped them win this game, as Price and the Rays pitchers- besides Burke Badenhop– were in full form. Hideki Matsui is mashing in his return to the Majors and hit his second home run of the year.
Reds 4, Astros 1
Mike Leake picked up his second win of the year, and the struggling young pitcher didn’t struggle in this outing. He allowed just four hits and a run in seven innings with seven strikeouts to outduel J.A. Happ who also went seven strong with seven strikeouts.
White Sox 7, Mariners 4
The White Sox got by the Mariners with some solid pitching from Jake Peavy through 6.1 innings, even though Matt Thornton allowed two runs in the following inning. Kyle Seager homered for the losing side and drove in three runs, while Gordon Beckham homered twice and drove in three runs for the Sox. Adam Dunn also homered and now has 17 home runs on the year.
Royals 2, Athletics 0
Felipe Paulino and the bullpen combined for a shutout of the Oakland Athletics, with Paulino providing six quality innings and allowed just three hits. Closer Jonathan Broxton, who has a 1.74 ERA this year and has bounced back from his troubled recent Dodger days, struck out two to save his 12th game of the year. Bartolo Colon allowed just two runs for the A’s, but he also allowed eight hits in those seven innings.
Pirates 8, Brewers 2
Jose Tabata and Andrew McCutchen had two hits and three steaks apiece for the Pirates, as they had a big offensive attack and were at their best against Randy Wolf (6.05 ERA this year). Nyjer Morgan hit his first round-tripper of the year and also doubled for the Brew Crew. Tabata, by the way, doubled twice for the Pirates.
Rockies 13, Dodgers 3
All three pitchers who took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers were poor in this game, especially starter Chris Capuano and reliever Jamey Wright. Wilin Rosario scored three times and drove in three runs, and outfielder Michael Cuddyer managed to cross home plate four times in the big Rockies win. Rosario and Cuddyer had a home run apiece, as the Rockies hit three HRs.
Angels 4, Rangers 2
The Los Angeles Angels are back on track with Mark Trumbo hitting like crazy, and they defeated the top dogs in the MLB. Mike Trout is, in my opinion, better than Bryce Harper and has been vital for the Angels. In fact, the case can be made for Trout being their best position player. In any case, he was great in this game with three RBIs and two hits with a triple at the top of the L.A. order.
Padres 7, Diamondbacks 1
The San Diego Padres shut down the D’Backs offense, as Clayton Richard allowed just one run in six innings.
Giants 4, Cubs 3
Madison Bumgarner may have allowed eight hits, but he also struck out 11 batters in eight innings without a walk and allowed just two runs. Yeah, that’s a good line. Javier Lopez got the last two outs to notch his first save of the year. Alfonso Soriano hit a clutch three-run homer in the ninth inning off of Santiago Casilla to put the game at 4-3, but the Cubs would not win with Lopez finishing it off. Ryan Theriot had three hits and a double to help pace the Giants offense.