Mets Blank Yankees, Avoid Sweep, Snap Losing Streak
A Subway Series sweep would have just been insult to injury in a New York Mets' losing streak, but they were able to avoid that on Sunday Night Baseball. Seth Lugo threw six scoreless innings and struck out eight as the Mets snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 2-0 shutout of the New York Yankees. Lugo did not walk a batter in his second win of the season, while getting support from Todd Frazier's two-run home run in the fifth inning. Luis Severino gave up the blast for the only runs of the game, falling to 9-2 after lasting five innings, but struck out seven on the night. The win also snaps a 10-game home losing streak for the Mets at Citi Field, and prevents an 0-9 homestand, which would've been tied for the worst in franchise history. To add to the numerous skids that the Mets put an end to, they also earned their first win over the Yankees in the past seven meetings, and will do battle with them again in the Bronx from July 20-22. Severino's loss was his first since April 10th against the Boston Red Sox. Sunday night was the first shutout loss of the year for the Yankees, who had won four in a row and nine of their past 10. They still hold the best record in the majors at 42-19 and were the final team that had not been shut out. Jose Reyes scored on Frazier's homer after singling in place of Asdrubal Cabrera, who left the game with left hamstring tightness. That could add to the multiple injuries that the Mets are dealing with. They did release veteran Adrian Gonzalez and designated Jose Lobaton for assignment after the game. Following a day off on Monday, they will begin a series in Atlanta against the Braves. The Yankees return home on Tuesday to host the Washington Nationals in an interleague showdown.
Kluber Becomes First in AL to 10 Wins
Corey Kluber and the Detroit Tigers are not a good combination if you're from the Motor City. For those of you in Cleveland, you absolutely love it, and the right-hander gave you plenty more to enjoy on Sunday afternoon. Kluber struck out eight over eight innings and allowed just two runs in the Indians' 9-2 win over the Tigers, giving them the weekend road series victory. The Indians' ace becomes the first American League pitcher to reach 10 wins this season, as he improved to 5-0 with a 0.76 ERA against the American League Central this year. He has won the past 11 decisions against their division rivals, dating back to last season. Kluber has been hot overall this year, especially in his last six starts where he has 46 strikeouts and zero walks. Melky Cabrera and Erik Gonzalez each drove in three runs to support the Cy Young winner on Sunday, while Yan Gomes went deep in the win. The Indians extended their AL Central lead to five games over the Tigers, who have dropped their last two series, and their first at home since the season-opening set with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They were playing their 18th game in 17 days and got two RBIs, including a long ball, from Leonys Martin. Artie Lewicki fell to 0-2 on the year after allowing three runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one on the day. The Tigers will stay home to host the Minnesota Twins, beginning on Tuesday. The Indians head to the Windy City to battle the Chicago White Sox on Monday Night.
Mariners, Astros Earn One-Run Wins
The AL West currently sits in a deadlock tie for first place between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, both of which ended weekend series on a high note Sunday afternoon. First, the Mariners took the series at Tropicana Field with a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The game ended in thrilling fashion, as Ryon Healy threw out Johnny Field at home plate on Carlos Gomez's single, ending the Rays' comeback attempt in the ninth. They had cut the deficit to one on Wilson Ramos's RBI single in the eighth. Kyle Seager, Mike Zunino, and Nelson Cruz all went deep for the M's, who have now won 17 of their past 22 games. Seager's long ball was the official game-winner, while James Paxton improved to 6-1 after striking out 10. He gave up three runs on five hits over seven innings, and has given up just 14 runs over the past 63.2 innings. The left-hander is 5-0 over his past nine starts. Edwin Diaz would come on for his 23rd save, as the Mariners took three of four from the Rays. Meanwhile, the Astros kept pace with the Mariners, but in controversial fashion. Keone Kela was called for a questionable balk with the bases loaded in the ninth to score George Springer for an 8-7 win over the Texas Rangers. The controversy wasn't from whether it was a balk, but how and when the call was made. None of the umpires caught the balk initially and had gone on with the game until Houston manager, A.J. Hinch, came out to convince them to make the call without a review. That call gave the Astros a four-game series sweep, a five-game win streak, and put them a season-high 17 games over .500. They did hold a 6-0 lead at one point, but Dallas Keuchel could not hang on to that lead and matched a career worst by giving up 13 hits and threw 106 pitches in 4.1 innings. The Mariners will return home on Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros will stay on the road to visit the Oakland Athletics beginning on Tuesday.
A Subway Series sweep would have just been insult to injury in a New York Mets' losing streak, but they were able to avoid that on Sunday Night Baseball. Seth Lugo threw six scoreless innings and struck out eight as the Mets snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 2-0 shutout of the New York Yankees. Lugo did not walk a batter in his second win of the season, while getting support from Todd Frazier's two-run home run in the fifth inning. Luis Severino gave up the blast for the only runs of the game, falling to 9-2 after lasting five innings, but struck out seven on the night. The win also snaps a 10-game home losing streak for the Mets at Citi Field, and prevents an 0-9 homestand, which would've been tied for the worst in franchise history. To add to the numerous skids that the Mets put an end to, they also earned their first win over the Yankees in the past seven meetings, and will do battle with them again in the Bronx from July 20-22. Severino's loss was his first since April 10th against the Boston Red Sox. Sunday night was the first shutout loss of the year for the Yankees, who had won four in a row and nine of their past 10. They still hold the best record in the majors at 42-19 and were the final team that had not been shut out. Jose Reyes scored on Frazier's homer after singling in place of Asdrubal Cabrera, who left the game with left hamstring tightness. That could add to the multiple injuries that the Mets are dealing with. They did release veteran Adrian Gonzalez and designated Jose Lobaton for assignment after the game. Following a day off on Monday, they will begin a series in Atlanta against the Braves. The Yankees return home on Tuesday to host the Washington Nationals in an interleague showdown.
Kluber Becomes First in AL to 10 Wins
Corey Kluber and the Detroit Tigers are not a good combination if you're from the Motor City. For those of you in Cleveland, you absolutely love it, and the right-hander gave you plenty more to enjoy on Sunday afternoon. Kluber struck out eight over eight innings and allowed just two runs in the Indians' 9-2 win over the Tigers, giving them the weekend road series victory. The Indians' ace becomes the first American League pitcher to reach 10 wins this season, as he improved to 5-0 with a 0.76 ERA against the American League Central this year. He has won the past 11 decisions against their division rivals, dating back to last season. Kluber has been hot overall this year, especially in his last six starts where he has 46 strikeouts and zero walks. Melky Cabrera and Erik Gonzalez each drove in three runs to support the Cy Young winner on Sunday, while Yan Gomes went deep in the win. The Indians extended their AL Central lead to five games over the Tigers, who have dropped their last two series, and their first at home since the season-opening set with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They were playing their 18th game in 17 days and got two RBIs, including a long ball, from Leonys Martin. Artie Lewicki fell to 0-2 on the year after allowing three runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one on the day. The Tigers will stay home to host the Minnesota Twins, beginning on Tuesday. The Indians head to the Windy City to battle the Chicago White Sox on Monday Night.
Mariners, Astros Earn One-Run Wins
The AL West currently sits in a deadlock tie for first place between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, both of which ended weekend series on a high note Sunday afternoon. First, the Mariners took the series at Tropicana Field with a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The game ended in thrilling fashion, as Ryon Healy threw out Johnny Field at home plate on Carlos Gomez's single, ending the Rays' comeback attempt in the ninth. They had cut the deficit to one on Wilson Ramos's RBI single in the eighth. Kyle Seager, Mike Zunino, and Nelson Cruz all went deep for the M's, who have now won 17 of their past 22 games. Seager's long ball was the official game-winner, while James Paxton improved to 6-1 after striking out 10. He gave up three runs on five hits over seven innings, and has given up just 14 runs over the past 63.2 innings. The left-hander is 5-0 over his past nine starts. Edwin Diaz would come on for his 23rd save, as the Mariners took three of four from the Rays. Meanwhile, the Astros kept pace with the Mariners, but in controversial fashion. Keone Kela was called for a questionable balk with the bases loaded in the ninth to score George Springer for an 8-7 win over the Texas Rangers. The controversy wasn't from whether it was a balk, but how and when the call was made. None of the umpires caught the balk initially and had gone on with the game until Houston manager, A.J. Hinch, came out to convince them to make the call without a review. That call gave the Astros a four-game series sweep, a five-game win streak, and put them a season-high 17 games over .500. They did hold a 6-0 lead at one point, but Dallas Keuchel could not hang on to that lead and matched a career worst by giving up 13 hits and threw 106 pitches in 4.1 innings. The Mariners will return home on Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros will stay on the road to visit the Oakland Athletics beginning on Tuesday.
