Brewers Blank Cubs, Take Back First Place
The Milwaukee Brewers' struggles against the Chicago Cubs have haunted them from staying atop the NL Central, until Tuesday night. The Brewers shut out the Cubs on Tuesday, taking back first place in the NL Central by a half game following a 4-0 win at Miller Park. Chase Anderson pitched seven innings and allowed just one hit, as the Brew-Crew earned just their second win over their division rivals this season. Anderson struck out six to help his team overcome an 11-inning loss from Monday night. Travis Shaw stepped up big in the win with a pair of two-run doubles to drive in all four runs, while Lorenzo Cain got things done on the base path. The outfielder hustled hard around first base on a single, making the Cubs think he was looking for extra bases, while Christian Yelich stood between second and third. Cain got far enough off to force the defense to chase Yelich back to second, hoping to get both runners on the base, but both runners were able to get back to their respective bases safely. That was followed by one of Shaw's big hits, as Cain admitted after the game that it was a planned play that he practiced as a member of the Kansas City Royals. Anderson threw a season-high 107 pitches and improved to 5-5, as he retired the final 17 hitters he faced. The only hit given up was an infield single by Willson Contreras in the second inning. Anderson snapped a drought of his own against Chicago, as he had dropped his last three decision against them. Tyler Chatwood suffered his fifth loss for the Cubs, as his wild pitching continued with him walking two and gave up all four runs (three of them earned) over five innings. Chatwood leads the majors in walks and fell behind batters on numerous occasions Tuesday night. The series will conclude with a matinee matchup on Wednesday afternoon.
Cabrera, Harper Go Down in Losses
Two big-name sluggers went down on Tuesday night, which played a role in their team's losses. First, the Detroit Tigers lost Miguel Cabrera on an awkward swing in a 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Cabrera, who just got off the disabled list with a bicep injury, wasted no time to leave the game and did not wait for the trainer to check on him before he walked off the field. The first baseman over-swung and missed on a pitch that put his arm at an awkward angle, which caused him to drop his bat and head to the dugout. Following an MRI, it was announced after the game that Cabrera will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured biceps tendon. Ehire Adrianza's grand slam was the big blow, as the Twins overcame a solid start from Blaine Hardy, getting to the Tigers' bullpen for the road win. Meanwhile, another slugger went down, but fortunately not as serious, in the Washington Nationals' 3-0 shutout loss to the New York Yankees. Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch for the second time on the night in the eighth inning, which knocked him out of the game. Harper was hit by starter C.C. Sabathia earlier in the game, before reliever Dellin Betances hit him on the left foot to put him down for good. The outfielder did undergo an MRI after the game, which showed no major damage. When asked about his status, the All-Star said "I feel fine." He did admit that he was a little sore, but claimed that there was nothing to worry about. The slugger had been struggling after hitting .151 with one home run in May, and came in to play with no home runs and one RBI in June. The win for the Yankees was their 10th in the past 12 games, and they will host the Nats, possibly minus Harper, again on Wednesday night.
Trout's Multi-HR Game Not Enough to Slow Down Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are on such a hot streak, that not even the best player in baseball can put an "L" in their record. Mike Trout stayed hot with his second straight two-home run game, but the Mariners took a second straight game from the Los Angeles Angels, 6-3, at home on Tuesday night. Mitch Haniger and Ryon Healy each responded to Trout's performances with two home runs apiece, as the Mariners improved to 22-12 at Safeco Field on the year. Mike Leake received the support after lasting six innings and striking out four, as he ran his record to 7-3 this season. Edwin Diaz came on for for the ninth and recorded his league-leading 25th save in 28 tries, sealing Seattle's third straight win and 10th in the past 12 games, as they remain a half game ahead of the Houston Astros. The defending World Series Champions earned a road win against the Oakland Athletics Tuesday night. The M's have been unbeatable with the long ball and they are now 5-0 this year when hitting four or more home runs in a game. Leake's victory was his 10th as a member of the Mariners after they acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals last August 30th. Trout recorded consecutive multi-home run games for the first time in his career, but his team has dropped both games, and are now just six games over .500. They will look to avoid the sweep in the matinee series finale on Wednesday afternoon.
The Milwaukee Brewers' struggles against the Chicago Cubs have haunted them from staying atop the NL Central, until Tuesday night. The Brewers shut out the Cubs on Tuesday, taking back first place in the NL Central by a half game following a 4-0 win at Miller Park. Chase Anderson pitched seven innings and allowed just one hit, as the Brew-Crew earned just their second win over their division rivals this season. Anderson struck out six to help his team overcome an 11-inning loss from Monday night. Travis Shaw stepped up big in the win with a pair of two-run doubles to drive in all four runs, while Lorenzo Cain got things done on the base path. The outfielder hustled hard around first base on a single, making the Cubs think he was looking for extra bases, while Christian Yelich stood between second and third. Cain got far enough off to force the defense to chase Yelich back to second, hoping to get both runners on the base, but both runners were able to get back to their respective bases safely. That was followed by one of Shaw's big hits, as Cain admitted after the game that it was a planned play that he practiced as a member of the Kansas City Royals. Anderson threw a season-high 107 pitches and improved to 5-5, as he retired the final 17 hitters he faced. The only hit given up was an infield single by Willson Contreras in the second inning. Anderson snapped a drought of his own against Chicago, as he had dropped his last three decision against them. Tyler Chatwood suffered his fifth loss for the Cubs, as his wild pitching continued with him walking two and gave up all four runs (three of them earned) over five innings. Chatwood leads the majors in walks and fell behind batters on numerous occasions Tuesday night. The series will conclude with a matinee matchup on Wednesday afternoon.
Cabrera, Harper Go Down in Losses
Two big-name sluggers went down on Tuesday night, which played a role in their team's losses. First, the Detroit Tigers lost Miguel Cabrera on an awkward swing in a 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Cabrera, who just got off the disabled list with a bicep injury, wasted no time to leave the game and did not wait for the trainer to check on him before he walked off the field. The first baseman over-swung and missed on a pitch that put his arm at an awkward angle, which caused him to drop his bat and head to the dugout. Following an MRI, it was announced after the game that Cabrera will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured biceps tendon. Ehire Adrianza's grand slam was the big blow, as the Twins overcame a solid start from Blaine Hardy, getting to the Tigers' bullpen for the road win. Meanwhile, another slugger went down, but fortunately not as serious, in the Washington Nationals' 3-0 shutout loss to the New York Yankees. Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch for the second time on the night in the eighth inning, which knocked him out of the game. Harper was hit by starter C.C. Sabathia earlier in the game, before reliever Dellin Betances hit him on the left foot to put him down for good. The outfielder did undergo an MRI after the game, which showed no major damage. When asked about his status, the All-Star said "I feel fine." He did admit that he was a little sore, but claimed that there was nothing to worry about. The slugger had been struggling after hitting .151 with one home run in May, and came in to play with no home runs and one RBI in June. The win for the Yankees was their 10th in the past 12 games, and they will host the Nats, possibly minus Harper, again on Wednesday night.
Trout's Multi-HR Game Not Enough to Slow Down Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are on such a hot streak, that not even the best player in baseball can put an "L" in their record. Mike Trout stayed hot with his second straight two-home run game, but the Mariners took a second straight game from the Los Angeles Angels, 6-3, at home on Tuesday night. Mitch Haniger and Ryon Healy each responded to Trout's performances with two home runs apiece, as the Mariners improved to 22-12 at Safeco Field on the year. Mike Leake received the support after lasting six innings and striking out four, as he ran his record to 7-3 this season. Edwin Diaz came on for for the ninth and recorded his league-leading 25th save in 28 tries, sealing Seattle's third straight win and 10th in the past 12 games, as they remain a half game ahead of the Houston Astros. The defending World Series Champions earned a road win against the Oakland Athletics Tuesday night. The M's have been unbeatable with the long ball and they are now 5-0 this year when hitting four or more home runs in a game. Leake's victory was his 10th as a member of the Mariners after they acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals last August 30th. Trout recorded consecutive multi-home run games for the first time in his career, but his team has dropped both games, and are now just six games over .500. They will look to avoid the sweep in the matinee series finale on Wednesday afternoon.
