Chris Sale Struggles in Return to Chicago
After spending the first seven years of his career in the Windy City, Chris Sale faced off against the Chicago White Sox for the first time in his career on Tuesday night. Although the strikeout total was still high at nine, Sale did allow six runs on 10 hits over five innings, but somehow came away with his sixth win of the year. The Boston Red Sox hit six home runs, including two from Deven Merrero, in what was a 13-7 win. Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mitch Moreland also went deep in Boston's seventh win in nine games. Sale did receive a warm ovation from the crowd that he left in free agency this past off-season. Marrero had himself a career night with five runs driven in along with the two home runs after hitting just two in his first 59 career games. The Red Sox used a four-run second inning to knock Jose Quintana out of the game. Quintana suffered his seventh defeat of the season. Craig Kimbrel threw 1.1 scoreless innings for his 14th save in 15 tries, helping Boston snap a minor two-game skid. Tim Anderson and Todd Frazier both homered in the loss for Chicago, who had won four of five. These two teams continue their series at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday night.
Bauer Powers Indians Past A's
The Cleveland Indians have found themselves back atop the AL Central with the Minnesota Twins, who have struggled against the Houston Astros. The defending AL Champs got a much-needed dominant start from their guy after sending All-Star Danny Salazar to the bullpen. Trevor Bauer struck out an AL season-high 14 batters in the Cleveland Indians' 9-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. It was the right-hander's eighth career game with 10 or more strikeouts, as he improved his season record to 5-4. He fell just one shy of the major league season high, which was set by Stephen Strasburg last week. Overall, four Indian pitchers struck out 19 Athletics, helping Cleveland improve to 27-23 this season. At the plate, rookie Mike Zimmer had a career-high four RBI, including a two-run big fly, while Michael Brantley knocked in a run with the single. Zimmer's long ball made it 15 straight games with a home run for Cleveland. Sonny Gray struggled for the A's on the mound, falling to 2-2 after allowing seven runs in 4.2 innings. Oakland fell a season-high seven games below .500 on the season with the loss, and will continue their series in Cleveland on Wednesday night.
Ray Dominates Pirates for First Shutout
The Arizona Diamondbacks' impressive start is one of the reasons why the NL West is getting so much attention early on this season. Their pitching led by Zack Greinke has been the dominant force that has them where they are in the standings, and proof of that came from Robbie Ray's efforts on Tuesday night. Ray threw his first career complete game and shutout, going the distance in Arizona's 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ray struck out 10 and did not walk a batter while allowing just four hits in the win. He needed 115 pitches to finish out the night, extending his scoreless streak to 23.2 innings, just behind Alex Wood's 25.2-inning streak for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak in a game that lasted just two hours and 10 minutes. Ivan Nova pitched well for Pittsburgh, giving up three runs in seven innings, but fell to 5-4 on the season. Chris Owings broke a scoreless tie with an RBI double in the sixth, which would end up being the game-winner. Ray Fuentes and Brandon Drury also drove in runs for Arizona in the win. Ray not only improved his season record to 5-3, but also moved to 4-1 on the road with a stellar 0.64 ERA in six starts. The Dbacks will look to take the series from the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon.
After spending the first seven years of his career in the Windy City, Chris Sale faced off against the Chicago White Sox for the first time in his career on Tuesday night. Although the strikeout total was still high at nine, Sale did allow six runs on 10 hits over five innings, but somehow came away with his sixth win of the year. The Boston Red Sox hit six home runs, including two from Deven Merrero, in what was a 13-7 win. Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mitch Moreland also went deep in Boston's seventh win in nine games. Sale did receive a warm ovation from the crowd that he left in free agency this past off-season. Marrero had himself a career night with five runs driven in along with the two home runs after hitting just two in his first 59 career games. The Red Sox used a four-run second inning to knock Jose Quintana out of the game. Quintana suffered his seventh defeat of the season. Craig Kimbrel threw 1.1 scoreless innings for his 14th save in 15 tries, helping Boston snap a minor two-game skid. Tim Anderson and Todd Frazier both homered in the loss for Chicago, who had won four of five. These two teams continue their series at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday night.
Bauer Powers Indians Past A's
The Cleveland Indians have found themselves back atop the AL Central with the Minnesota Twins, who have struggled against the Houston Astros. The defending AL Champs got a much-needed dominant start from their guy after sending All-Star Danny Salazar to the bullpen. Trevor Bauer struck out an AL season-high 14 batters in the Cleveland Indians' 9-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. It was the right-hander's eighth career game with 10 or more strikeouts, as he improved his season record to 5-4. He fell just one shy of the major league season high, which was set by Stephen Strasburg last week. Overall, four Indian pitchers struck out 19 Athletics, helping Cleveland improve to 27-23 this season. At the plate, rookie Mike Zimmer had a career-high four RBI, including a two-run big fly, while Michael Brantley knocked in a run with the single. Zimmer's long ball made it 15 straight games with a home run for Cleveland. Sonny Gray struggled for the A's on the mound, falling to 2-2 after allowing seven runs in 4.2 innings. Oakland fell a season-high seven games below .500 on the season with the loss, and will continue their series in Cleveland on Wednesday night.
Ray Dominates Pirates for First Shutout
The Arizona Diamondbacks' impressive start is one of the reasons why the NL West is getting so much attention early on this season. Their pitching led by Zack Greinke has been the dominant force that has them where they are in the standings, and proof of that came from Robbie Ray's efforts on Tuesday night. Ray threw his first career complete game and shutout, going the distance in Arizona's 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ray struck out 10 and did not walk a batter while allowing just four hits in the win. He needed 115 pitches to finish out the night, extending his scoreless streak to 23.2 innings, just behind Alex Wood's 25.2-inning streak for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak in a game that lasted just two hours and 10 minutes. Ivan Nova pitched well for Pittsburgh, giving up three runs in seven innings, but fell to 5-4 on the season. Chris Owings broke a scoreless tie with an RBI double in the sixth, which would end up being the game-winner. Ray Fuentes and Brandon Drury also drove in runs for Arizona in the win. Ray not only improved his season record to 5-3, but also moved to 4-1 on the road with a stellar 0.64 ERA in six starts. The Dbacks will look to take the series from the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon.
