Strasburg's Return Spoiled in Loss to Padres
The Washington Nationals got a big boost to their starting rotation on Saturday night with the return of Stephen Strasburg from the disabled list. The right-hander surrendered a two-run home run to Yangervis Solarte and did not receive any run support in a 3-1 loss to the San Diego Padres. The right-hander suffered his fourth loss of the year, despite lasting six innings and allowing just the two runs on four hits. He struck out eight and walked just one, all of this after settling down following the long ball, as he retired 10 batters in a row and 13 of 14. Saturday was his first start since leaving a July 23rd start in Arizona against the Diamondbacks after just two innings. He has been on the DL ever since with nerve damage in his elbow. Travis Wood overcame a 35-pitch first inning for San Diego to last long enough and earn his second victory of the season. He allowed just one unearned run over seven innings, all while striking out two and walking two. Brad Hand finished things off for his 11th save for San Diego, who looks to take the series in Sunday's rubber match.
Trout Crushes Two HRs in Angels' Win
There is no doubt that Mike Trout loves playing in Camden Yards as a visitor, and his numbers improved in that ballpark on Saturday night. The star outfielder went deep for a second straight game in Baltimore, recording his first multi-home run game of the season in the Los Angeles Angels' 5-1 win over the Orioles. Luis Valbuena also had two long balls for the Halos, who have now won eight of their past 10 contests. Trout's homers took place in the first and third innings, with Valbuena's happening in the second and fourth to get the Angels off to a quick start. It is the second straight game that the Angels got all of their runs via the home run, as they have nine home runs in the first two games of the series. That is the most by the Angels in a two-game span since June of 2003. Trout's two home runs give him 26 on the season, as he ties Tim Salmon with six seasons with at least 25, which is the most in franchise history. J.C. Ramirez got his 11th win after lasting 5.2 innings before leaving with right forearm tightness. The O's have now lost seven of their past 11 games, and have not won consecutive games since August 5-7.
Granderson Contributes in Dodger Debut
Curtis Granderson was playing in familiar territory in Detroit on Saturday, as he was making his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who acquire him in a trade with the New York Mets late Friday night. After reaching on an error, the outfielder scored the first run of the game in the seventh inning, leading his new team to a 3-0 shutout of the Tigers. Adrian Gonzalez knocked him in with a single off of starter Michael Fulmer, who took a tough-luck loss, despite holding the best team in baseball scoreless through 6.2 innings. Justin Turner knocked in a run with a single in the eighth inning, while Yasmani Grandal homered in the ninth to add to the Dodger lead. Los Angeles has now won six in a row, as well as 21 of their past 24 games. The Tigers on the other hand have dropped six straight, along with 12 of their past 14 contests. The one down side for the Dodgers was the loss of Cody Bellinger, who exited with an ankle injury after catching a fly ball in right field. He is listed as day-to-day and will definitely sit out the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
The Washington Nationals got a big boost to their starting rotation on Saturday night with the return of Stephen Strasburg from the disabled list. The right-hander surrendered a two-run home run to Yangervis Solarte and did not receive any run support in a 3-1 loss to the San Diego Padres. The right-hander suffered his fourth loss of the year, despite lasting six innings and allowing just the two runs on four hits. He struck out eight and walked just one, all of this after settling down following the long ball, as he retired 10 batters in a row and 13 of 14. Saturday was his first start since leaving a July 23rd start in Arizona against the Diamondbacks after just two innings. He has been on the DL ever since with nerve damage in his elbow. Travis Wood overcame a 35-pitch first inning for San Diego to last long enough and earn his second victory of the season. He allowed just one unearned run over seven innings, all while striking out two and walking two. Brad Hand finished things off for his 11th save for San Diego, who looks to take the series in Sunday's rubber match.
Trout Crushes Two HRs in Angels' Win
There is no doubt that Mike Trout loves playing in Camden Yards as a visitor, and his numbers improved in that ballpark on Saturday night. The star outfielder went deep for a second straight game in Baltimore, recording his first multi-home run game of the season in the Los Angeles Angels' 5-1 win over the Orioles. Luis Valbuena also had two long balls for the Halos, who have now won eight of their past 10 contests. Trout's homers took place in the first and third innings, with Valbuena's happening in the second and fourth to get the Angels off to a quick start. It is the second straight game that the Angels got all of their runs via the home run, as they have nine home runs in the first two games of the series. That is the most by the Angels in a two-game span since June of 2003. Trout's two home runs give him 26 on the season, as he ties Tim Salmon with six seasons with at least 25, which is the most in franchise history. J.C. Ramirez got his 11th win after lasting 5.2 innings before leaving with right forearm tightness. The O's have now lost seven of their past 11 games, and have not won consecutive games since August 5-7.
Granderson Contributes in Dodger Debut
Curtis Granderson was playing in familiar territory in Detroit on Saturday, as he was making his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who acquire him in a trade with the New York Mets late Friday night. After reaching on an error, the outfielder scored the first run of the game in the seventh inning, leading his new team to a 3-0 shutout of the Tigers. Adrian Gonzalez knocked him in with a single off of starter Michael Fulmer, who took a tough-luck loss, despite holding the best team in baseball scoreless through 6.2 innings. Justin Turner knocked in a run with a single in the eighth inning, while Yasmani Grandal homered in the ninth to add to the Dodger lead. Los Angeles has now won six in a row, as well as 21 of their past 24 games. The Tigers on the other hand have dropped six straight, along with 12 of their past 14 contests. The one down side for the Dodgers was the loss of Cody Bellinger, who exited with an ankle injury after catching a fly ball in right field. He is listed as day-to-day and will definitely sit out the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
