Rich Hill Loses No-Hit Bid on Walk-Off
Rich Hill of the Los Angeles Dodgers had everything working for him on Wednesday night, although a lack of run support haunted him in his efforts. Hill lost a perfect game on an error by third baseman Logan Forsythe in the ninth, and then a no-hit bid on a Josh Harrison walk-off home run in the 10th for a shocking 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hill threw 99 pitches over the nine-plus innings, as Harrison connected on an 88 mph fastball for the game-winner, which was his 16th homer of the season. Curtis Granderson made a leaping effort at the wall, but could not come down with the ball, handing his pitcher his fifth loss of the year. Hill made a legitimate bid for the 24th perfect game in MLB history, and first since Felix Hernandez did it for Seattle in 2012. The right-hander was the first pitcher to take a no-hit bid in to extras since Pedro Martinez did it in 1995. Martinez lost a perfect game in the 10th inning on that night. The Dodgers' hurler is also the first pitcher to last at least nine innings, allow one hit or fewer, and walk nobody and still receive the loss. He struck out 10 on the night, while Juan Nicasio threw just one scoreless inning to earn the win for the Pirates, who can record an impressive series split with baseball's best team on Thursday.
Pomeranz Wins Again, Red Sox Top Indians
Drew Pomeranz has been the Boston Red Sox' most efficient pitcher during their recent hot stretch, and the former Oakland Athletic showed up again on Wednesday. Pomeranz combined with three relievers to hold the Cleveland Indians to just three hits in a 6-1 win at Progressive Field. The Red Sox' starter lasted 5.1 innings and struck out nine to win his seventh straight decision for his 13th victory overall. The only blemish against the Red Sox pitching was an Edwin Encarnacion solo home run in the eighth inning off of Addison Reed. A Jay Bruce infield single and Brandon Guyer single were the only other hits for Cleveland. Boston's offense couldn't figure out Corey Kluber too much, as the Tribe's ace lasted 7.2 innings and allowed just two runs in a tough defeat. The Red Sox scored four runs in the ninth inning to pull away, including an Eduardo Nunez long ball to left field. Mitch Moreland went deep against the Indians' starter to spark the Red Sox' offense, Boston has baseball's best record in August at 15-4 and looks to take the series from the Indians on Thursday.
Cubs Pound Reds for Fifth Straight Win
The Chicago Cubs have officially put themselves in a spot they've expected themselves to be in as defending champs since Opening Day. Kyle Schwarber and Tony La Stella went deep to lead the Cubs past the Cincinnati Reds, 9-3, on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win. It was also their eight win in the past 10 games, moving them 11 games over .500 for the first time this season. The Cubs got out to a 9-0 lead just one day after pulling off a wild 13-9 victory in the series opener. Schwarber's long ball was his ninth since returning from a stint in the minors, and was a part of a five-run fourth inning for the Cubbies. Mike Montgomery filled in for Jon Lester in the starting role, earning his fourth victory after throwing six shutout innings. The Cubs now hold a 3.5-game lead in the NL Central over the Milwaukee Brewers, whom they trailed by 5.5 games at the All-Star break. They aim for their sixth straight victory and a sweep of their division rivals in the series finale on Thursday.
Rich Hill of the Los Angeles Dodgers had everything working for him on Wednesday night, although a lack of run support haunted him in his efforts. Hill lost a perfect game on an error by third baseman Logan Forsythe in the ninth, and then a no-hit bid on a Josh Harrison walk-off home run in the 10th for a shocking 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hill threw 99 pitches over the nine-plus innings, as Harrison connected on an 88 mph fastball for the game-winner, which was his 16th homer of the season. Curtis Granderson made a leaping effort at the wall, but could not come down with the ball, handing his pitcher his fifth loss of the year. Hill made a legitimate bid for the 24th perfect game in MLB history, and first since Felix Hernandez did it for Seattle in 2012. The right-hander was the first pitcher to take a no-hit bid in to extras since Pedro Martinez did it in 1995. Martinez lost a perfect game in the 10th inning on that night. The Dodgers' hurler is also the first pitcher to last at least nine innings, allow one hit or fewer, and walk nobody and still receive the loss. He struck out 10 on the night, while Juan Nicasio threw just one scoreless inning to earn the win for the Pirates, who can record an impressive series split with baseball's best team on Thursday.
Pomeranz Wins Again, Red Sox Top Indians
Drew Pomeranz has been the Boston Red Sox' most efficient pitcher during their recent hot stretch, and the former Oakland Athletic showed up again on Wednesday. Pomeranz combined with three relievers to hold the Cleveland Indians to just three hits in a 6-1 win at Progressive Field. The Red Sox' starter lasted 5.1 innings and struck out nine to win his seventh straight decision for his 13th victory overall. The only blemish against the Red Sox pitching was an Edwin Encarnacion solo home run in the eighth inning off of Addison Reed. A Jay Bruce infield single and Brandon Guyer single were the only other hits for Cleveland. Boston's offense couldn't figure out Corey Kluber too much, as the Tribe's ace lasted 7.2 innings and allowed just two runs in a tough defeat. The Red Sox scored four runs in the ninth inning to pull away, including an Eduardo Nunez long ball to left field. Mitch Moreland went deep against the Indians' starter to spark the Red Sox' offense, Boston has baseball's best record in August at 15-4 and looks to take the series from the Indians on Thursday.
Cubs Pound Reds for Fifth Straight Win
The Chicago Cubs have officially put themselves in a spot they've expected themselves to be in as defending champs since Opening Day. Kyle Schwarber and Tony La Stella went deep to lead the Cubs past the Cincinnati Reds, 9-3, on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win. It was also their eight win in the past 10 games, moving them 11 games over .500 for the first time this season. The Cubs got out to a 9-0 lead just one day after pulling off a wild 13-9 victory in the series opener. Schwarber's long ball was his ninth since returning from a stint in the minors, and was a part of a five-run fourth inning for the Cubbies. Mike Montgomery filled in for Jon Lester in the starting role, earning his fourth victory after throwing six shutout innings. The Cubs now hold a 3.5-game lead in the NL Central over the Milwaukee Brewers, whom they trailed by 5.5 games at the All-Star break. They aim for their sixth straight victory and a sweep of their division rivals in the series finale on Thursday.
