Cubs Win Fourth Straight Out of Break
The Chicago Cubs seem to have turned a corner coming out of the All-Star break, and they kept that run going on Monday night. Jon Lester allowed one run over seven innings, while Anthony Rizzo homered in his third straight game in a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves. The win was the fourth straight for the defending champs, pushing them two games over .500 on the season. Lester was able to bounce back from his shortest outing of the season in an embarrassing loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates before the break. Wade Davis made things interesting in the ninth before recording the save. Atlanta scored two runs off the Cubs' closer before falling just short in the comeback. Johan Camargo flew out with the bases loaded to end the game. Rizzo's long ball was his 23rd of the season, while Ben Zobrist knocked in two with a single. Addison Russell drove in what would end up being the game-winning run with a pinch-hit double in the eighth inning. The Cubs now sit 3.5 games back in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers, and look to gain ground in Game 2 of the series on Tuesday.
Twins Double Up Struggling Yankees
The New York Yankees struggles have come at a horrible time, as the schedule does not get easier in the second half. They were up against another contender on Monday, as the Twins were fueled by big hits from Eddie Rosario and Eduardo Escobar in a 4-2 win over the Yankees. Rosario had two RBI doubles, while Escobar knocked in the winning run with an eighth-inning RBI single in the victory. Caleb Smith suffered his first loss for New York after giving up the go-ahead run, while All-Star Brandon Kintzler earned his 26th save for Minnesota. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge continued to struggle by going 0-for-3, and has just one hit in four games since his Home Run Derby victory. Although, other young guys led the Yankees' offense, as Garrett Cooper had three hits, and rookie Clint Frazier added two doubles in the loss. Taylor Rogers threw 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball to earn the win in relief. The series continues on ESPN Tuesday night.
Zimmerman Sets Nats' Record in Win
The Washington Nationals had four starters in the All-Star Game last week, two of which showed why on Monday afternoon. That included Ryan Zimmerman setting the Nationals record with his 235th career home run in a 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The victory gives the Nats a four-game sweep, as the long ball was also Zimmerman's 20th home run of the season, moving him past Vladimir Guerrero on the franchise list. Bryce Harper also went deep for a third time in the series for Washington, who went deep 13 times as a team in Great American Ballpark. They scored 35 times in the four games, improving to 6-1 against the last place team in the NL Central. The win was their ninth in 11 games, improving them to a season-high 20 games over the .500 mark. Stephen Strasburg enjoyed the run support while moving to 10-3 on the year. He lasted seven innings and struck out 11, following the shortest outing of his season. The Nationals head out west on Tuesday for an interleague showdown with the Angels. The Reds stay home to host the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Chicago Cubs seem to have turned a corner coming out of the All-Star break, and they kept that run going on Monday night. Jon Lester allowed one run over seven innings, while Anthony Rizzo homered in his third straight game in a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves. The win was the fourth straight for the defending champs, pushing them two games over .500 on the season. Lester was able to bounce back from his shortest outing of the season in an embarrassing loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates before the break. Wade Davis made things interesting in the ninth before recording the save. Atlanta scored two runs off the Cubs' closer before falling just short in the comeback. Johan Camargo flew out with the bases loaded to end the game. Rizzo's long ball was his 23rd of the season, while Ben Zobrist knocked in two with a single. Addison Russell drove in what would end up being the game-winning run with a pinch-hit double in the eighth inning. The Cubs now sit 3.5 games back in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers, and look to gain ground in Game 2 of the series on Tuesday.
Twins Double Up Struggling Yankees
The New York Yankees struggles have come at a horrible time, as the schedule does not get easier in the second half. They were up against another contender on Monday, as the Twins were fueled by big hits from Eddie Rosario and Eduardo Escobar in a 4-2 win over the Yankees. Rosario had two RBI doubles, while Escobar knocked in the winning run with an eighth-inning RBI single in the victory. Caleb Smith suffered his first loss for New York after giving up the go-ahead run, while All-Star Brandon Kintzler earned his 26th save for Minnesota. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge continued to struggle by going 0-for-3, and has just one hit in four games since his Home Run Derby victory. Although, other young guys led the Yankees' offense, as Garrett Cooper had three hits, and rookie Clint Frazier added two doubles in the loss. Taylor Rogers threw 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball to earn the win in relief. The series continues on ESPN Tuesday night.
Zimmerman Sets Nats' Record in Win
The Washington Nationals had four starters in the All-Star Game last week, two of which showed why on Monday afternoon. That included Ryan Zimmerman setting the Nationals record with his 235th career home run in a 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The victory gives the Nats a four-game sweep, as the long ball was also Zimmerman's 20th home run of the season, moving him past Vladimir Guerrero on the franchise list. Bryce Harper also went deep for a third time in the series for Washington, who went deep 13 times as a team in Great American Ballpark. They scored 35 times in the four games, improving to 6-1 against the last place team in the NL Central. The win was their ninth in 11 games, improving them to a season-high 20 games over the .500 mark. Stephen Strasburg enjoyed the run support while moving to 10-3 on the year. He lasted seven innings and struck out 11, following the shortest outing of his season. The Nationals head out west on Tuesday for an interleague showdown with the Angels. The Reds stay home to host the Arizona Diamondbacks.
