Kershaw, Dodgers Down Angels
The Los Angeles Dodgers ace added to his league-leading numbers in Anaheim on Thursday night, cruising to his 12th victory in a 6-2 win over the Angels. Clayton Kershaw struck out 12 while becoming the league's first 12-game winner, as he was charged with just one unearned run over seven innings. The left-hander now has five double-digit strikeout games for the Dodgers, who have now won 18 of 21 overall. Yasiel Puig and Chase Utley both went deep in the fifth inning, while Joc Pederson added a long ball in the sixth off of J.C. Ramirez, who suffered his sixth loss for the Angels. Los Angeles now has 50 home runs in the month of June, which breaks a franchise record for homers in a single month, which was set in 1953. Kole Calhoun had an RBI single for the Angels, who finished with a series split in the Freeway Series. They will play host to the Seattle Mariners over the weekend, while the Dodgers head to San Diego to battle the Padres.
Cubs Rally to Take Series Finale from Nationals
The Chicago Cubs were able to salvage one game with the Washington Nationals in D.C., but it took a comeback on Thursday afternoon. The Cubs scored three times in the ninth inning, capped off by a go-ahead, two-run double by Jon Jay in a 5-4 Chicago victory. Blake Treinen surrendered the rally, falling to 0-2 for Washington, who lost shortstop Trea Turner to a fractured wrist. Turner was hit by a pitch on this night and will miss an extended period of time. The young shortstop leads the majors with 35 steals and will be a big loss for the Nats. The blown save was the 13th for Washington, which ties them with the Mets and Phillies for most in the majors. Tommy La Stella also drove in a run in the ninth with a single, as the Nationals' bullpen issues continued. They have had six different pitchers record at least one save, as Treinen's rough outing brought his ERA to 6.11. Felix Pena got the win for the Cubs after a perfect eighth inning, while Wade Davis earned his 16th save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Cubs move on to Cincinnati to go against the Reds this weekend, while the Nationals go to St. Louis to match up with the Cardinals.
Astros Roll to Improve Majors' Best Record
The Houston Astros have been must-see T.V because of their young stars, which includes the name Carlos Correa. The shortstop went deep twice and drove in four in Thursday's 6-1 win at home over the Oakland Athletics. Both big flies came off of A's rookie starter Daniel Gossett, who dropped to 1-3 for Oakland. Correa has now reached base safely in 17 consecutive games, and recorded his fourth career multi-home run game, and first this season. Brad Peacock looked good on the mound for the first-place Astros, allowing one run on two hits over five innings, while striking out seven. He did not last as long due to him walking six batters on the afternoon. The win for Houston improves them to 10-2 against the Athletics this season, and 17-2 against their division rivals since July of 2016. They also improved their major-league best record to 54-26. Gossett allowed five runs in five innings in his fourth career MLB start for the last-place A's. They went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base, and got their only run on an Adam Rosales RBI groundout. They will go back home to host the Atlanta Braves this weekend, while the Astros have a tough series at home against the New York Yankees.
The Los Angeles Dodgers ace added to his league-leading numbers in Anaheim on Thursday night, cruising to his 12th victory in a 6-2 win over the Angels. Clayton Kershaw struck out 12 while becoming the league's first 12-game winner, as he was charged with just one unearned run over seven innings. The left-hander now has five double-digit strikeout games for the Dodgers, who have now won 18 of 21 overall. Yasiel Puig and Chase Utley both went deep in the fifth inning, while Joc Pederson added a long ball in the sixth off of J.C. Ramirez, who suffered his sixth loss for the Angels. Los Angeles now has 50 home runs in the month of June, which breaks a franchise record for homers in a single month, which was set in 1953. Kole Calhoun had an RBI single for the Angels, who finished with a series split in the Freeway Series. They will play host to the Seattle Mariners over the weekend, while the Dodgers head to San Diego to battle the Padres.
Cubs Rally to Take Series Finale from Nationals
The Chicago Cubs were able to salvage one game with the Washington Nationals in D.C., but it took a comeback on Thursday afternoon. The Cubs scored three times in the ninth inning, capped off by a go-ahead, two-run double by Jon Jay in a 5-4 Chicago victory. Blake Treinen surrendered the rally, falling to 0-2 for Washington, who lost shortstop Trea Turner to a fractured wrist. Turner was hit by a pitch on this night and will miss an extended period of time. The young shortstop leads the majors with 35 steals and will be a big loss for the Nats. The blown save was the 13th for Washington, which ties them with the Mets and Phillies for most in the majors. Tommy La Stella also drove in a run in the ninth with a single, as the Nationals' bullpen issues continued. They have had six different pitchers record at least one save, as Treinen's rough outing brought his ERA to 6.11. Felix Pena got the win for the Cubs after a perfect eighth inning, while Wade Davis earned his 16th save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Cubs move on to Cincinnati to go against the Reds this weekend, while the Nationals go to St. Louis to match up with the Cardinals.
Astros Roll to Improve Majors' Best Record
The Houston Astros have been must-see T.V because of their young stars, which includes the name Carlos Correa. The shortstop went deep twice and drove in four in Thursday's 6-1 win at home over the Oakland Athletics. Both big flies came off of A's rookie starter Daniel Gossett, who dropped to 1-3 for Oakland. Correa has now reached base safely in 17 consecutive games, and recorded his fourth career multi-home run game, and first this season. Brad Peacock looked good on the mound for the first-place Astros, allowing one run on two hits over five innings, while striking out seven. He did not last as long due to him walking six batters on the afternoon. The win for Houston improves them to 10-2 against the Athletics this season, and 17-2 against their division rivals since July of 2016. They also improved their major-league best record to 54-26. Gossett allowed five runs in five innings in his fourth career MLB start for the last-place A's. They went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base, and got their only run on an Adam Rosales RBI groundout. They will go back home to host the Atlanta Braves this weekend, while the Astros have a tough series at home against the New York Yankees.