Astros Get Past A's With Unusual Walk-Off
The Houston Astros were staring a second straight home loss to their division rivals right in the face on Tuesday night, but then everything went their way, all in one play. After falling behind on Stephen Piscotty's solo home run in the 11th, the Astros walked off for a 6-5 win at Minute Maid Park. Alex Bregman hit a tapper right in front of the plate, which was picked up by A's catcher Jonathan Lucroy. The veteran catcher attempted to tag Bregman, but somehow missed, and instead threw down the first for the out. Problem is, that throw went off the head of the baserunner and in to right field, allowing P.J. Tucker to score the winning run for the defending World Series champs. The errant throw gave Collin McHugh his fifth win, despite him giving up the long ball to Piscotty, who has now gone deep in four straight games. Justin Verlander went six shutout innings for Houston, striking out six, but threw 110 pitches to get that far. He helped keep the A's off the scorebaord, giving the Astros a 4-0 lead heading in to the ninth. Ken Giles would then surrender four runs in the ninth, including a game-tying two-run double to Marcus Semien. Then it was Blake Treinen's turn for a blow save, as he had converted 20 straight save chances since April 18th. He was the recipient of the loss after the defensive blunder, but did give up a walk and a single to begin the rally. These two teams will play the third game of this series on Wednesday night.
Reds Stun Indians in the Ninth
The Cincinnati Reds have stepped up their game as of late, playing early-season spoilers against multiple contenders. They did so again on Tuesday night, stunning the Cleveland Indians for a 7-4 win at Progressive Field. The Reds trailed 4-0 with two outs in the ninth, before scoring all seven runs in the top half of the inning, capped off by Joey Votto's go-ahead three-run double. There was some major confusion heading in to Votto's at-bat, as Tribe manager Terry Francona called for Oliver Perez to come out of the bullpen. The miscommunication led to Dan Otero to coming in to the game, as he would go on to give up the crucial hit to Votto. Cody Allen suffered his fourth loss after getting charged with a career-high six earned runs, as the Indians' bullpen continues to struggle, holding the highest ERA in all of baseball at 5.13. On this night, they spoiled Trevor Bauer's masterful outing, as the All-Star struck out 12 over eight shutout innings. He became the second major league pitcher to record seven straight quality starts with at least eight strikeouts Pedro Martinez holds the record with eight in a row back in 2002. Adam Duvall had a two-run double in the ninth, while Eugenio Suarez and Jose Peraza both knocked in run during the Reds' rally. Cincinnati can take the series from the Indians on Wednesday night.
Red Sox Double-Up Rangers For Eighth Straight Win
After a struggling series with the New York Yankees a little over a week ago, the Boston Red Sox have been red hot to take over the top spot in the AL East. They kept that streak going at Fenway Park on Tuesday night, doubling up the Texas Rangers, 8-4, for their eighth straight win. Andrew Benintendi doubled twice and drove in two, just one day before finding out if he was voted in to the All-Star Game. Jackie Bradley Jr. added a pair of RBI doubles, as the Red Sox won for the 15th time in 18 games. They got hits from eight different players, including a two-run triple from Xander Bogaerts during a five-run third. Matt Barnes earned his third win after throwing one scoreless inning, as the Red Sox got three solid innings from Hector Velazquez. The former reliever was not expected to go long in this outing, which was his first start since April. That caused Boston to use five relievers on the night, with Barnes' being the fourth option out of the bullpen. He had spent the last two months in the bullpen. The Rangers dropped their fourth in the past five games, despite getting a long ball from Rougned Odor and a two-run double from Joey Gallo. The Red Sox will send Chris Sale to the mound on Wednesday night, as these two teams will finish up their series on ESPN.
The Houston Astros were staring a second straight home loss to their division rivals right in the face on Tuesday night, but then everything went their way, all in one play. After falling behind on Stephen Piscotty's solo home run in the 11th, the Astros walked off for a 6-5 win at Minute Maid Park. Alex Bregman hit a tapper right in front of the plate, which was picked up by A's catcher Jonathan Lucroy. The veteran catcher attempted to tag Bregman, but somehow missed, and instead threw down the first for the out. Problem is, that throw went off the head of the baserunner and in to right field, allowing P.J. Tucker to score the winning run for the defending World Series champs. The errant throw gave Collin McHugh his fifth win, despite him giving up the long ball to Piscotty, who has now gone deep in four straight games. Justin Verlander went six shutout innings for Houston, striking out six, but threw 110 pitches to get that far. He helped keep the A's off the scorebaord, giving the Astros a 4-0 lead heading in to the ninth. Ken Giles would then surrender four runs in the ninth, including a game-tying two-run double to Marcus Semien. Then it was Blake Treinen's turn for a blow save, as he had converted 20 straight save chances since April 18th. He was the recipient of the loss after the defensive blunder, but did give up a walk and a single to begin the rally. These two teams will play the third game of this series on Wednesday night.
Reds Stun Indians in the Ninth
The Cincinnati Reds have stepped up their game as of late, playing early-season spoilers against multiple contenders. They did so again on Tuesday night, stunning the Cleveland Indians for a 7-4 win at Progressive Field. The Reds trailed 4-0 with two outs in the ninth, before scoring all seven runs in the top half of the inning, capped off by Joey Votto's go-ahead three-run double. There was some major confusion heading in to Votto's at-bat, as Tribe manager Terry Francona called for Oliver Perez to come out of the bullpen. The miscommunication led to Dan Otero to coming in to the game, as he would go on to give up the crucial hit to Votto. Cody Allen suffered his fourth loss after getting charged with a career-high six earned runs, as the Indians' bullpen continues to struggle, holding the highest ERA in all of baseball at 5.13. On this night, they spoiled Trevor Bauer's masterful outing, as the All-Star struck out 12 over eight shutout innings. He became the second major league pitcher to record seven straight quality starts with at least eight strikeouts Pedro Martinez holds the record with eight in a row back in 2002. Adam Duvall had a two-run double in the ninth, while Eugenio Suarez and Jose Peraza both knocked in run during the Reds' rally. Cincinnati can take the series from the Indians on Wednesday night.
Red Sox Double-Up Rangers For Eighth Straight Win
After a struggling series with the New York Yankees a little over a week ago, the Boston Red Sox have been red hot to take over the top spot in the AL East. They kept that streak going at Fenway Park on Tuesday night, doubling up the Texas Rangers, 8-4, for their eighth straight win. Andrew Benintendi doubled twice and drove in two, just one day before finding out if he was voted in to the All-Star Game. Jackie Bradley Jr. added a pair of RBI doubles, as the Red Sox won for the 15th time in 18 games. They got hits from eight different players, including a two-run triple from Xander Bogaerts during a five-run third. Matt Barnes earned his third win after throwing one scoreless inning, as the Red Sox got three solid innings from Hector Velazquez. The former reliever was not expected to go long in this outing, which was his first start since April. That caused Boston to use five relievers on the night, with Barnes' being the fourth option out of the bullpen. He had spent the last two months in the bullpen. The Rangers dropped their fourth in the past five games, despite getting a long ball from Rougned Odor and a two-run double from Joey Gallo. The Red Sox will send Chris Sale to the mound on Wednesday night, as these two teams will finish up their series on ESPN.
