Royals Rally, Snap Astros' Win Streak
The Houston Astros looked well on their way to a 12th straight victory on Tuesday night, holding a 7-1 lead on the road against the Kansas City Royals. Although, the Royals had other things in mind, as they used a four-run eighth to tie the game, before Mike Moustakas hit a walk-off, two-run big fly for a thrilling 9-7 victory. The win snaps the Astros' 11-game win streak overall, and on the road, despite Houston scoring seven runs in the first four innings. Whit Merrifield's three-run double highlighted the eighth inning, scoring Moustakas, Alex Gordon, and Cheslor Cuthbert. Merrifield has now hit safely in 20 of his previous 21 games. The big inning came against Houston closer Ken Giles, who blew his second save in 18 opportunities. Mike Minor earned the win for Kansas City after throwing a scoreless ninth inning. The Astros' fast start was led by Carlos Beltran's 429th career home run, while Josh Reddick added three hits, and Carlos Correa added an RBI. Houston started rookie David Paulino, who allowed three runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings, and was in line for the win. The AL West leaders fell to a major-league best 42-17 and will finish off their series in Kansas City tonight.
Gennett's Big Night Fuels Reds' Rout
The NL Central is compacted between five teams hovering around the .500 mark, and two of those teams faced off on Tuesday night. That contest was taken over by Scooter Gennett, who was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds at the end of Spring Training. Gennett hit four home runs and drove in 10 runs in a 13-1 blowout of the St. Louis Cardinals. The four big flies tie a major-league record for a single game, as he became the 17th player to do so, and first since Josh Hamilton did it in 2012. He became the first player in franchise history to hit four home runs, drive in 10, and record 17 total bases in one game. His big game comes a day after snapping out of an 0-for-19 slump, as he went 5-for-5 to raise his average 32 points to .302. Adam Wainwright suffered the wrath of the Reds' offense, lasting just 3.2 innings and gave up nine runs for just the third time in his career, and second time against Cincinnati. Tim Adelman surrendered a solo home run to Stephen Piscotty for the only run against him in seven innings. The Cardinals have now dropped five games in a row and eight of 10 overall, as they continue their series against the Reds tonight.
Scherzer, Nats Mow Down Dodgers
Max Scherzer has been as dominant as ever for the Washington Nationals this season, and he looked as untouchable as ever Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Scherzer stuck out a season-high 14 in seven innings, including the first 11 outs of the game, while improving to 7-3 on the season. He allowed just three hits and a first-inning run, and the Nats' bullpen shut things down for a second straight night. Oliver Perez threw a scoreless eighth and Koda Glover recorded his eighth save in nine tries in the ninth. Glover was involved in an altercation with Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig after striking him out swinging. The closer was very excited after recording an out, and received a reaction from Puig after letting out a loud scream. Benches cleared for a moment, but nothing major came of it. Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy each had a sacrifice fly for all of the run support Scherzer would need. The Nats kept their division lead in the NL East at 12.5 games over the Braves and Mets and handed Brandon McCarthy his third loss of the year. These two teams end their series with a matinee mathchup today.
The Houston Astros looked well on their way to a 12th straight victory on Tuesday night, holding a 7-1 lead on the road against the Kansas City Royals. Although, the Royals had other things in mind, as they used a four-run eighth to tie the game, before Mike Moustakas hit a walk-off, two-run big fly for a thrilling 9-7 victory. The win snaps the Astros' 11-game win streak overall, and on the road, despite Houston scoring seven runs in the first four innings. Whit Merrifield's three-run double highlighted the eighth inning, scoring Moustakas, Alex Gordon, and Cheslor Cuthbert. Merrifield has now hit safely in 20 of his previous 21 games. The big inning came against Houston closer Ken Giles, who blew his second save in 18 opportunities. Mike Minor earned the win for Kansas City after throwing a scoreless ninth inning. The Astros' fast start was led by Carlos Beltran's 429th career home run, while Josh Reddick added three hits, and Carlos Correa added an RBI. Houston started rookie David Paulino, who allowed three runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings, and was in line for the win. The AL West leaders fell to a major-league best 42-17 and will finish off their series in Kansas City tonight.
Gennett's Big Night Fuels Reds' Rout
The NL Central is compacted between five teams hovering around the .500 mark, and two of those teams faced off on Tuesday night. That contest was taken over by Scooter Gennett, who was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds at the end of Spring Training. Gennett hit four home runs and drove in 10 runs in a 13-1 blowout of the St. Louis Cardinals. The four big flies tie a major-league record for a single game, as he became the 17th player to do so, and first since Josh Hamilton did it in 2012. He became the first player in franchise history to hit four home runs, drive in 10, and record 17 total bases in one game. His big game comes a day after snapping out of an 0-for-19 slump, as he went 5-for-5 to raise his average 32 points to .302. Adam Wainwright suffered the wrath of the Reds' offense, lasting just 3.2 innings and gave up nine runs for just the third time in his career, and second time against Cincinnati. Tim Adelman surrendered a solo home run to Stephen Piscotty for the only run against him in seven innings. The Cardinals have now dropped five games in a row and eight of 10 overall, as they continue their series against the Reds tonight.
Scherzer, Nats Mow Down Dodgers
Max Scherzer has been as dominant as ever for the Washington Nationals this season, and he looked as untouchable as ever Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Scherzer stuck out a season-high 14 in seven innings, including the first 11 outs of the game, while improving to 7-3 on the season. He allowed just three hits and a first-inning run, and the Nats' bullpen shut things down for a second straight night. Oliver Perez threw a scoreless eighth and Koda Glover recorded his eighth save in nine tries in the ninth. Glover was involved in an altercation with Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig after striking him out swinging. The closer was very excited after recording an out, and received a reaction from Puig after letting out a loud scream. Benches cleared for a moment, but nothing major came of it. Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy each had a sacrifice fly for all of the run support Scherzer would need. The Nats kept their division lead in the NL East at 12.5 games over the Braves and Mets and handed Brandon McCarthy his third loss of the year. These two teams end their series with a matinee mathchup today.
