Relief Roundup: Los Angeles Angels Albert Pujols keeps playoff dreams alive

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 12: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on July 12, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 12: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on July 12, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 12: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on July 12, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 12: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on July 12, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Albert Pujols keeps the Los Angeles Angels hopes alive, Kyle Gibson dominates the Rays, and more in today’s Relief Roundup!

At Call to the Pen, we want to ensure every MLB team is getting coverage, and that you’re well-informed as the reader! As part of that, we have brought back our daily piece into our collection with all of the night’s scores in the major leagues, the top performers in the minors, the minor league schedules, and a bit of history/birthdays at the very end.

Without further adieu, let’s begin!

Yesterday’s MLB Scores

Oakland Athletics 6, Houston Astros 4 in Houston – The Astros were up 4-0 before the A’s put up a 3-spot in the 5th inning and the 8th inning to pull out the win and take the series.

Colorado Rockies 5, Arizona Diamondbacks 1 in Colorado – The Diamondbacks scored first with a run in the first inning, but the Rockies did the rest, though they didn’t score at all until the 6th inning.

Philadelphia Phillies 5, Baltimore Orioles 4 in Baltimore – The Phillies put up 14 hits but they still had to avoid a late surge by the Orioles, who put up 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to close within one.

Pittsburgh Pirates 6, Milwaukee Brewers 3 in Pittsburgh – The Pirates scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to secure the win on Thursday as they opened a series against the division-leading Brewers.

New York Yankees 7, Cleveland Indians 4 in ClevelandLuis Severino didn’t get his 15th win, the but the Yankees were able to put up 3 runs in the 8th and 9th to take home a victory over the Indians in a possible playoff preview.

Boston Red Sox 6, Toronto Blue Jays 4 in Boston – The Red Sox powered through a 5-run 4th inning behind a grand slam from Mookie Betts and solid pitching from David Price to get a home win over the Blue Jays.

Washington Nationals 5, New York Mets 4 in New YorkMax Scherzer picked up the victory as the Nationals used a 2 run first inning and another 2 runs in the 7th to secure a win on the road in New York.

Minnesota Twins 5, Tampa Bay Rays 1 in Minnesota – The Twins beat up on Rays starter Blake Snell while Twins starter Kyle Gibson tossed 8 1-run innings and the Twins continued their recent winning ways.

Los Angeles Angels 11, Seattle Mariners 2 in Los Angeles – The Angels jumped out with 3 runs in the first inning and kept adding to it over the course of the game to keep their potential playoff hopes alive.

Los Angeles Dodgers 3, San Diego Padres 2 in San Diego – The Padres and Dodgers did all of their scoring in the 7th inning, but the Dodgers were able to get more off of Padres starter Tyson Ross to secure the road win.

Top Pitcher

The Twins have been getting quality pitching from Kyle Gibson all season and squandering it. On Thursday, they finally gave him the support that his quality year has deserved, and he had one of his best starts of the season, tossing 8 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and no walks, striking out 9.

Top Hitter

As the Angels hold on for their playoff lives ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, they got a big boost on Thursday night from veteran Albert Pujols, who went 3-4 with a pair of home runs as the Angels defeated the Mariners.

Today’s Game to Watch

The Nationals fight to stay at .500 or above as they open a series with the New York Mets. While that doesn’t typically indicate a rough go, Friday’s game features Noah Syndergaard on the mound for the Mets, which is typically a tough day for any team. The Nationals counter with Tanner Roark.

Next: AA/AAA

AAA Featured Performer

The Braves have seen outfielder Dustin Peterson develop into a solid defensive left fielder with good power, though the power has been inconsitent in 2018. He was 0-2 at the plate with a pair of walks on Thursday, but he made a big contribution on defense to attempt to help the Stripers defeat Norfolk.

Today’s AAA Game to Watch

Two pitchers who could very well factor into their teams’ 2019 plans, even in the rotation, square off on Friday night as Stephen Gonsalves and Rochester travel to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where Josh Rogers will toe the rubber.

AAA International League

Columbus Clippers @ Louisville Bats
Buffalo Bisons @ Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
Charlotte Knights @ Durham Bulls
Gwinnett Stripers @ Norfolk Tides
Rochester Red Wings @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Syracuse Chiefs @ Pawtucket PawSox
Toledo Mud Hens @ Indianapolis Indians

AAA Pacific Coast League

Colorado Springs Sky Sox @ New Orleans Baby Cakes
Memphis Redbirds @ Omaha Storm Chasers
Oklahoma City Dodgers @ Round Rock Express
Nashville Sounds @ Iowa Cubs, Game 1
Nashville Sounds @ Iowa Cubs, Game 2
Reno Aces @ El Paso Chihuahuas
Albuquerque Isotopes @ Las Vegas 51s
Fresno Grizzlies @ Tacoma Rainiers
Salt Lake Bees @ Sacramento River Cats

AA Featured Performer

Signed as an incredibly polished switch-hitting backstop, Ruiz has advanced quickly, and he’s hit .251 with 9 home runs over 65 games at age 19 at AA. On Thursday night, he had a huge game, going 3-4 with a double and two home runs, scoring 3 runs and driving in 4.

Today’s AA Game to Watch

In his second AA start, Chris Paddack takes his excellent 2018 season on the road with his San Antonio teammates to Frisco to face Edgar Arredondo, who similarly forced his way to AA, but he’s found the treading more difficult after the promotion.

AA Eastern League

Hartford Yard Goats @ Harrisburg Senators
New Hampshire Fisher Cats @ Portland SeaDogs
Richmond Flying Squirrels @ Trenton Thunder
Altoona Curve @ Erie SeaWolves, Game 1
Altoona Curve @ Erie SeaWolves, Game 2
Binghamton Rumble Ponies @ Akron RubberDucks
Bowie BaySox @ Reading Fightin Phils

AA Southern League

Birmingham Barons @ Tennessee Smokies
Biloxi Shuckers @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Mobile BayBears @ Jackson Generals
Montgomery Biscuits @ Chattanooga Lookouts
Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Mississippi Braves

AA Texas League

Corpus Christi Hooks @ Midland RockHounds
San Antonio Missions @ Frisco RoughRiders
Tulsa Drillers @ Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Springfield Cardinals @ Arkansas Travelers

Next: high-A/low-A

high-A Featured Performer

The Tigers made getting Isaac Paredes a big focus of their midseason trade with the Cubs in 2017. In his first exposure to high-A, the 19 year old is showing power, quality defense, and the ability to take a walk for Lakeland, hitting .264/.352/.454. He went 1-3 with a walk on Thursday, but he did not hit a home run after hitting one in each of the previous two games.

Today’s high-A Game to Watch

Frederick’s Michael Baumann continues what has been an impressive season combined between Frederick and low-A Delmarva as he and the Keys travel to Potomac for a Friday evening tilt.

California League

Lake Elsinore @ Lancaster JetHawks
Stockton Ports @ Modesto Nuts
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes @ Inland Empire 66ers
Visalia Rawhide @ San Jose Giants

Carolina League

Buies Creek Astros @ Winston-Salem Dash
Lynchburg Hillcats @ Carolina Mudcats
Frederick Keys @ Potomac Nationals
Myrtle Beach Pelicans @ Down East Wood Ducks
Salem Red Sox @ Wilmington Blue Rocks

Florida State League

Charlotte Stone Crabs @ Jupiter Hammerheads
Palm Beach Cardinals @ St. Lucie Mets
Dunedin Blue Jays @ Tampa Tarpons
Bradenton Marauders @ Daytona Tortugas
Fort Myers Miracle @ Lakeland Flying Tigers
Clearwater Threshers @ Florida Fire Frogs

low-A Featured Performer

The Cubs’ first round draft pick out of Stanford, Hoerner was transferred to South Bend for his first game on Thursday, where he went 2-4 and made a stellar play in the field, already making a big impression.

Today’s low-A Game to Watch

He’s had his ups and downs on the 2018 season, but Twins prospect Blayne Enlow is certainly flashing the raw stuff that made him a top high school pitching prospect in teh 2017 draft. He and the Cedar Rapids Kernels host Fort Wayne Friday night.

Midwest League

Quad Cities River Bandits @ Dayton Dragons
Beloit Snappers @ South Bend Cubs
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers @ West Michigan Whitecaps
Great Lakes Loons @ Clinton LumberKings
Lansing Lugnuts @ Burlington Bees
Fort Wayne TinCaps @ Cedar Rapids Kernels
Kane County Cougars @ Bowling Green Hot Rods
Lake County Captains @ Peoria Chiefs

South Atlantic League

Asheville Tourists @ Lakewood BlueClaws
Kannapolis Intimidators @ Greensboro Grasshoppers
West Virginia Power @ Hickory Crawdads
Columbia Fireflies @ Hagerstown Suns
Delmarva Shorebirds @ Charleston RiverDogs
Lexington Legends @ Augusta GreenJackets
Rome Braves @ Greenville Drive

Next: Short Season/Advanced Rookie

Short Season Featured Performer

The Indians signed Junior Soto from the Dominican Republic in February of 2014. Soto was placed on waivers in the offseason, and the Yankees claimed him. Soto has played with Staten Island, where he’s struggled. However, on Tuesday, he had a big game, going 3-4 with a pair of home runs, driving in 4.

Today’s Short-Season New York-Penn League schedule

Lowell Spinners @ Auburn Doubledays
Mahoning Valley Scrappers @ Staten Island Yankees
Batavia Muckdogs @ Connecticut Tigers
Brooklyn Cyclones @ Aberdeen IronBirds
Tri-City ValleyCats @ Williamsport Crosscutters
Vermont Lake Monsters @ State College Spikes
West Virginia Black Bears @ Hudson Valley Renegades

Today’s Short Season Northwest League schedule

Vancouver Canadians @ Boise Hawks
Eugene Emeralds @ Spokane Indians
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes @ Everett AquaSox
Tri-City Dust Devils @ Hillsboro Hops

Advanced Rookie Featured Performer

Highly regarded as the top high school position player in the 2018 draft, Jordan Kelenic was drafted with the #6 overall selection by the New York Mets. He is hitting .400 after going 2-3 with a home run and 2 RBI and a walk.

Today’s Advanced Rookie Appalachian League schedule

Greeneville Reds @ Kingsport Mets
Princeton Rays @ Bluefield Blue Jays
Bristol Pirates @ Pulaski Yankees
Burlington Royals @ Danville Braves
Elizabethton Twins @ Johnson City Cardinals

Today’s Advanced Rookie Pioneer League schedule

Missoula Osprey @ Ogden Raptors
Orem Owls @ Great Falls Voyagers
Grand Junction Rockies @ Billings Mustangs
Helena Brewers @ Idaho Falls Chukars

Next: Rookie Ball Schedules

Rookie Ball Featured Performer

In just his second pro game, former TCU standout Luken Baker hit his first home run for the Cardinals, going 1-3 with a solo home run for the GCL Cardinals.

Today’s Arizona Rookie League schedule

AZL Angels @ AZL Rangers
AZL Brewers @ AZL D-backs
AZL Indians 1 @ AZL Athletics
AZL Indians 2 @ AZL Royals
AZL Mariners @ AZL Dodgers
AZL Reds @ AZL Cubs 1
AZL White Sox @ AZL Cubs 2

Today’s Dominican Summer League schedule

DSL Astros @ DSL Braves
DSL Athletics @ DSL Red Sox1
DSL Blue Jays @ DSL White Sox
DSL Cardinals Blue @ DSL Nationals
DSL Colorado @ DSL Royals2
DSL Cubs2 @ DSL Phillies White
DSL D-backs2 @ DSL Cardinals Red
DSL Dodgers Guerrero @ DSL Rays2
DSL Indians/Brewers @ DSL Cubs1
DSL Mets2 @ DSL Brewers
DSL Orioles @ DSL Padres
DSL Phillies Red @ DSL Rockies
DSL Pirates2 @ DSL Mariners
DSL Rangers1 @ DSL Indians
DSL Rays1 @ DSL Marlins
DSL Red Sox2 @ DSL Pirates1
DSL Reds @ DSL Dbacks1
DSL Royals1 @ DSL Dodgers Robinson
DSL Tigers1 @ DSL Rangers2
DSL Twins @ DSL Mets1
DSL Yankees @ DSL Angels

Today’s Gulf Coast League schedule

GCL Yankees West @ GCL Tigers West, Game 1
GCL Yankees West @ GCL Tigers West, Game 2
GCL Braves @ GCL Yankees East
GCL Mets @ GCL Astros
GCL Nationals @ GCL Marlins
GCL Phillies East @ GCL Blue Jays
GCL Pirates @ GCL Phillies West
GCL Rays @ GCL Orioles
GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox

Next: Today's Birthdays/history

American professional baseball player and starting pitcher Stan Coveleski (1989 – 1984) of the Cleveland Indians gets ready to throw a pitch during a road game, 1920. Coveleski played for the Indians from 1916-1924 and was one of the 17 pitchers allowed to continue throwing a spitball pitch when it was outlawed in 1920. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
American professional baseball player and starting pitcher Stan Coveleski (1989 – 1984) of the Cleveland Indians gets ready to throw a pitch during a road game, 1920. Coveleski played for the Indians from 1916-1924 and was one of the 17 pitchers allowed to continue throwing a spitball pitch when it was outlawed in 1920. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

Birthdays today

One of the more underrated pitchers of his generation, Stan Coveleski was born on this day in 1889 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He originally made his debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1912 but found his way back to independent teams and minor league teams until resurfacing with the Indians in 1916, tossing 232 innings, including 27 starts.

Coveleski then went about tossing just short of 610 innings of 1.82 ERA ball over the next two seasons. He was not a guy who struck a lot of batters out, but he rarely let them make clean contact, generating a ton of pop-ups and groundouts from frustrated hitters and rarely ever seeing a ball leave the yard.

Through the first half 1920s, Coveleski was one of the best pitchers in the American League, primarily with Cleveland, but he spent three seasons with the Senators and one year with the Yankees along the way. Due to the typically poor quality of the Indians roster, Coveleski did not garner as many victories as his stellar pitching would likely have garnered on other rosters around the game. When given a chance to pitch in the postseason the two times his teams made it in his career, he excelled, pitching to a 1.74 ERA over 41 1/3 innings across 5 starts, completing 4 of them.

Not making his debut with the Indians until he was 26 meant that Coveleski hit the upper end of the aging curve with not as many years under his belt, but he did still finish with 215 victories over 3,082 innings. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1969 by the Veteran’s Committee.

Active MLB players born today: Cody Bellinger, Shin-Soo Choo, Alfredo Gonzalez, DJ LeMaheiu, Yadier Molina, Tyler Skaggs

More from Call to the Pen

Notable events on this day

While the event itself is rare, but not unheard of, the Phillies losing on this day in 1896 in spite of Ed Delahanty blasting 4 home runs is so rare that it won’t happen again until a week shy of exactly 90 years later.

In a case of “only have yourself to blame”, Cardinals pitcher Bill Doak ends up with a one-hitter when he forgets to cover first base on a routine ground ball to first base, which is ruled a hit.

In 1934, a number that would not be ascended again until almost 40 years later, Babe Ruth clears his last career home run milestone, blasting his 700th.

Rob Manfred will want to examine the Cardinals game on this day in 1972. It lasted 93 minutes, the shortest game in the team’s history.

An incredible streak is brought to an end in 1995 on this date as Greg Maddux issues a walk, ending a streak of 51 innings without allowing a free pass. The beneficiary of the free pass? Padres pitcher Joey Hamilton, one of the worst-hitting pitchers in the league.

Next: Are Reds prepped for 2019 breakout?

Check back each day for another rundown of your daily dose of scores, notes, and a touch of history from MLB!

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