Sandoval, Giants Get Best of Cubs in Extras
Pablo Sandoval returned to the San Francisco Giants last season with hopes of rejuvenating the once great career that he had in the bay area previously. He showed a glimpse of that on Monday night, singling home the winning run in the 11th inning for a 2-1 Giants' win over the Chicago Cubs. This walk-off hit comes just one day after he knocked in five runs in a big win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. The 2012 World Series MVP had the bases loaded after Brandon Crawford was intentionally walked by Pedro Strop, who surrendered the game-winner, but Steve Cishek took the loss after giving up singles to Andrew McCutchen and Brandon Belt to begin the inning. Ty Blach worked a perfect 11th inning to earn his sixth win out of the Giants' bullpen. Alen Hanson used his wheels to score the first run for the Giants, coming around from first base on a pickoff attempt that got away from first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Giants' starter Andrew Suarez lasted six innings and allowed one run on three hits, and has not given up more than two runs in his last six outings. Kyle Hendricks took a no-decision for the Cubs, despite pitching in to the ninth inning, and has now gone winless in his last four starts since beating the St. Louis Cardinals on June 16th. The series will continue at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.
Athletics Shut Out Astros in Houston
The Oakland Athletics are in a tough division to get back in to contention, with both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros playing really good baseball all year long. The A's have been on a bit of a run themselves, and they took that hot streak in to Minute Maid Park on Monday night for a 2-0 win over the defending World Series Champions. Frankie Montas went six shutout innings for his fifth win, as he combined with two relievers to allow just five hits on the road. Stephen Piscotty provided all of the offense with a home run and an RBI single to drive in both runs of the night. Montas got off to a quick start and was helped out by a couple of double play balls. He got off to a quick start, as he needed just eight pitches to retire George Springer, Alex Bregman, and Jose Altuve for the first three outs of the night. Gerrit Cole pitched well for the Astros, striking out 11 over six innings, and only allowed three singles on the night. He got a no-decision, as Brad Peacock took his fourth loss after surrendering Piscotty's home run to lead off the seventh inning. Montas' outing helped him get over a rocky stretch for himself, as he had allowed nine runs on 17 hits in his last two starts combined. The Athletics are back in Houston for two more games, with the series continuing on Tuesday night.
Nola Produces on the Mound, at the Plate in Win
The Philadelphia Phillies' quick resurgence this season can largely be credited to Aaron Nola, who took over Game 1 of their doubleheader with the New York Mets on Monday night. First, Nola dominated on the mound, lasting seven shutout innings and striking out 10 in the Phillies' 3-1 win over the Mets at Citi Field. The victory was Nola's 12th, as he also provided all of his own run support at the plate. The starting pitcher cleared the bases with a three-run double in the fifth inning, which would be all of the Phillies' scoring. The win for the Phillies gives them a split of the doubleheader, as they have won nine of their past 12 games, and are tied with the Atlanta Braves atop the NL East. Meanwhile, Nola's efforts prevented the Mets from keeping the momentum alive after Wilmer Flores' walk-off home run in Game 1. They have now dropped 18 of their past 22 games at home. Their rookie starting pitcher, Corey Oswalt, retired the first 12 batters he faced and struck out six, but suffered his second loss thanks to that one hit from the opposing hurler. New York did not score until threatening in the ninth, as Flores recorded an RBI double, but they could not complete the comeback. Nola's night included him tying his major league career high in wins, as well as reaching double digits in strikeouts for the sixth time in his career and fourth time this season. He did retire 18 consecutive batters at one point, as the Phillies look to take over first in the division when their series in New York continues on Tuesday.
Pablo Sandoval returned to the San Francisco Giants last season with hopes of rejuvenating the once great career that he had in the bay area previously. He showed a glimpse of that on Monday night, singling home the winning run in the 11th inning for a 2-1 Giants' win over the Chicago Cubs. This walk-off hit comes just one day after he knocked in five runs in a big win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. The 2012 World Series MVP had the bases loaded after Brandon Crawford was intentionally walked by Pedro Strop, who surrendered the game-winner, but Steve Cishek took the loss after giving up singles to Andrew McCutchen and Brandon Belt to begin the inning. Ty Blach worked a perfect 11th inning to earn his sixth win out of the Giants' bullpen. Alen Hanson used his wheels to score the first run for the Giants, coming around from first base on a pickoff attempt that got away from first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Giants' starter Andrew Suarez lasted six innings and allowed one run on three hits, and has not given up more than two runs in his last six outings. Kyle Hendricks took a no-decision for the Cubs, despite pitching in to the ninth inning, and has now gone winless in his last four starts since beating the St. Louis Cardinals on June 16th. The series will continue at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.
Athletics Shut Out Astros in Houston
The Oakland Athletics are in a tough division to get back in to contention, with both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros playing really good baseball all year long. The A's have been on a bit of a run themselves, and they took that hot streak in to Minute Maid Park on Monday night for a 2-0 win over the defending World Series Champions. Frankie Montas went six shutout innings for his fifth win, as he combined with two relievers to allow just five hits on the road. Stephen Piscotty provided all of the offense with a home run and an RBI single to drive in both runs of the night. Montas got off to a quick start and was helped out by a couple of double play balls. He got off to a quick start, as he needed just eight pitches to retire George Springer, Alex Bregman, and Jose Altuve for the first three outs of the night. Gerrit Cole pitched well for the Astros, striking out 11 over six innings, and only allowed three singles on the night. He got a no-decision, as Brad Peacock took his fourth loss after surrendering Piscotty's home run to lead off the seventh inning. Montas' outing helped him get over a rocky stretch for himself, as he had allowed nine runs on 17 hits in his last two starts combined. The Athletics are back in Houston for two more games, with the series continuing on Tuesday night.
Nola Produces on the Mound, at the Plate in Win
The Philadelphia Phillies' quick resurgence this season can largely be credited to Aaron Nola, who took over Game 1 of their doubleheader with the New York Mets on Monday night. First, Nola dominated on the mound, lasting seven shutout innings and striking out 10 in the Phillies' 3-1 win over the Mets at Citi Field. The victory was Nola's 12th, as he also provided all of his own run support at the plate. The starting pitcher cleared the bases with a three-run double in the fifth inning, which would be all of the Phillies' scoring. The win for the Phillies gives them a split of the doubleheader, as they have won nine of their past 12 games, and are tied with the Atlanta Braves atop the NL East. Meanwhile, Nola's efforts prevented the Mets from keeping the momentum alive after Wilmer Flores' walk-off home run in Game 1. They have now dropped 18 of their past 22 games at home. Their rookie starting pitcher, Corey Oswalt, retired the first 12 batters he faced and struck out six, but suffered his second loss thanks to that one hit from the opposing hurler. New York did not score until threatening in the ninth, as Flores recorded an RBI double, but they could not complete the comeback. Nola's night included him tying his major league career high in wins, as well as reaching double digits in strikeouts for the sixth time in his career and fourth time this season. He did retire 18 consecutive batters at one point, as the Phillies look to take over first in the division when their series in New York continues on Tuesday.
