Yesterday’s MLB scores: April 18, 2014

Here are your MLB scores for games played on April 18…

National League

Reds 4, Cubs 1
Alfredo Simon (2-1) continued to impress since being moved into the starting rotation during spring training. Simon tossed six innings, allowing only an unearned run on four hits. Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija was impressive in going seven innings and allowing three runs of which only one was earned. Samardzija’s ERA now sits at 1.29 while he owns a record of 0-2 including the L for this game.

The Reds also stole five bases, but the bigger news from this game was the early exit by Reds Gold Glove second baseman Brandon Phillips. In his first at-bat, Phillips developed back spasms while swinging the bat and was eventually removed.

Brewers 5, Pirates 3
Milwaukee plated three runs in the top of fourth to take a 3-2 lead, and Carlos Gomez accounted for the winning run with a solo home run in the following inning.

There was this odd occurrence…

Someone in QA might have missed that one…

Nationals 3, Cardinals 1
Anthony Rendon had a solo shot in the third and the Nats scored a pair of runs in the seventh on a Michael Wacha wild pitch and a subsequent rare throwing error by Yadier Molina. The two runs helped to secure Washington’s 10th win of the season.

Gio Gonzalez (3-1) surrendered only one run on four hits over his seven innings of work. He also struck out seven while only walking one.

Apr 18, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Harang (34) pitches against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. (Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)

Braves 6, Mets 0
Aaron Harang (3-1) held the Mets hitless over his seven innings. He did walk six while striking out five. Luis Avilan took over in the eighth and allowed the only Mets hit of the game when David Wright singled to left with two outs in the inning.

Freddie Freeman cracked his fifth home run of the season, and Chris Johnson was 3-for-4 with a RBI for Atlanta.

Rockies 12, Phillies 1
Troy Tulowitzki provided all the offense the Rockies would need on this night. Tulo was 3-for=3 with 5 RBI and 2 runs scored. One of his hits was his second home run of the season. The Rockies were 8-for=16 with runners in scoring position. Wilin Rosario was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI.

Tyler Chatwood (2-1) held the Phils to only one run on two hits in his seven innings.

Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 2 (F/12)
Entering the ninth, the score was 1-1. The D’backs scored on a Chris Withrow wild pitch to take a 2-1 lead. LA’s Juan Uribe hit a home run off the left field foul/fair pole to send the game to extras.

In the top of the 12th, A.J. Pollack doubled and Cliff Pennington was hit by a pitch. Aaron Hill followed with a two-run single. Trevor Cahill pitched a perfect 12th to earn his first MLB save.

Padres 2, Giants 1
To the surprise of no one, a pitcher’s duel broke out at Petco Park.

Tyson Ross (2-2) earned the win and shutout the Giants over eight innings while permitting only four hits. Matt Cain (0-3) worked seven innings and also allowed only four hits, but the Padres reached Cain for a run in the game’s first inning. The run scored on a passed ball by Hector Santiago who was starting behind the plate in place of Buster Posey.

Brandon Belt clubbed his sixth home run of the season in the ninth to pull the Giants within one run, but Huston Street would strike out two of the next three Giants hitters to end the game and earn the save.

American League

Blue Jays 3, Indians 2
One night after walking three and throwing three wild pitches, Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos once again dealt with control issues. A double and two whiffs were followed by two walks to load the bases. Santos retired Michael Brantley on a sharply hit grounder to first to end the threat and the game.

Angels 11, Tigers 6
The Angles touched Tigers starter Drew Smyly (0-1) for four runs and reliever Luke Putkonen for seven runs. Albert Pujols hit home run #497 and Howie Kendrick hit a pair of home runs.

The Tigers attempted to make the game interesting when they scored five runs in the seventh, but the Angels bullpen regrouped and held off a potential ninth-inning rally for the win.

Orioles 8, Red Sox 4
The #9 hitter rarely gets to you. Not the case on this night as Jonathon Schoop went 4-for-5, scored a run and drove in two to lead the O’s to the win. Chris Tillman (2-1) labored for five innings in throwing 122 pitches, but he was awarded the victory as Baltimore climbed over the .500 mark (8-7).

Rays 11, Yankees 5
As the Rays came to the plate in the home half of the seventh, they trailed the Yankees by a score of 5-3. With two outs, Desmond Jennings singled in Sean Rodriguez. After a walk to Evan Longoria, James Loney would single to plate two more Rays. Tampa Bay would score five times in the 8th inning to put the game out of reach.

Rangers 12, White Sox 0
The Pale Hose could only manage three hits off Martin Perez (3-0) and the Rangers bats knocked Felipe Paulino (0-2) for 10 runs, seven of which came in the third inning when the Rangers sent 11 men to the plate.

Leonys Martin was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and driving in four. One of Martin’s hits was his first home run of the season.

Royals 5, Twins 0
Jason Vargas (2-0) scattered seven hits over seven innings to earn the victory. Omar Infante and Mike Moustakas each drove in a pair of runs, Moustakas also hit his second home run of the season.

Odd stat: Kansas City is 8-0 this season when scoring four or more runs. Their record for the season is 8-7.

A’s 11, Astros 3
Astros starter Jarred Cosart (1-2) was credited with 0.1 IP. He also allowed seven runs as Oakland sent 11 to the plate in their first at-bat and never looked back.

Sonny Gray (3-0) took a couple of lumps, allowing three runs on nine hits in six innings of work, but earned the win.

Interleague

Marlins 8, Mariners 4
A review of an attempted sacrifice bunt by Pablo Osuna in which Reed Johnson was forced out a third was overturned as Kyle Seager bobbled the ball. After that…

Two words: