Goldschmidt's Three Home Runs Powers Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs were forced to wait out the rain at Wrigley Field on Thursday, but that did not slow down Paul Goldschmidt at the plate. The slugger recorded his first career three home run game in a 10-8 win over the defending champs. He broke an 8-8 tie in the ninth inning with a solo blast off of Cubs reliever Wade Davis, who took his first loss of the season. J.D. Martinez then added a solo home run to go back-to-back, adding insurance in the victory. Goldschmidt's first home run was a three-run shot in the first inning, with his second being of the two-run variety in the fifth. Brandon Drury also went deep to help them build a 6-1 lead before the Cubs began their comeback. Willson Contreras sparked the offense with two home runs and a career-high six RBI, as he tied the game with a two-run single in the eighth inning. Despite that, the Cubs dropped consecutive games for the time since the All-Star break. They will stay home to host the Washington Nationals this weekend, while the D-backs head out west for a series with the San Francisco Giants.
Gray Falls to Indians in Yankees Debut
Sonny Gray was a top acquisition of the New York Yankees at the trade deadline, but his new teammates did not help him out on Thursday. The Yankees committed three errors in the first inning alone, which lead to two Cleveland runs, and could not figure out Corey Kluber in a 5-1 loss to the Indians. Kluber went the distance and struck out 11 to improve to 9-3 on the season for The Tribe. He became the fourth pitcher in MLB history to strike out at least eight batters in 12 straight starts, joining the likes of Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez. Gray gave up four runs, only two of which were earned, as he pitched in to the sixth, while dropping his record to .500 at 6-6 on the year. Yan Gomes broke things open with a two-run double off the former Oakland Athletics ace in the sixth, snapping out of an 0-for-13 slump. The Yankees' lone run came on Gary Sanchez's 17th home run of the year, as they dropped two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. They will stay in Cleveland for three more games with the Indians this weekend.
Rockies Walk-Off Against Mets for Second Time
The Colorado Rockies walked off against the New York Mets for a second time on Thursday, but this walk-off lacked the excitement of a normal one. Nolan Arenado drew a bases loaded walk in the ninth inning, giving his team a 5-4 win in the series finale. Mets reliever Hansel Robles struggled with his control in the ninth inning, leading to the game-winning walk, and admitted after the game that he felt numbness in his arm. He was not taken out of the game because he did not inform the training staff or coaches about this issue. Robles had gotten Arenado down 0-2 in the count, before the wildness came back on the mound at the worst possible time. Charlie Blackmon and Mark Reynolds both went deep for Colorado, who took two of three from the struggling Mets. They dropped Wednesday's game after allowing 10 unanswered runs while blowing a 5-0 lead. They did get closer Greg Holland back from injury after he cut his finger in a kitchen incident. He earned the win after throwing a scoreless ninth inning. The Mets did get a long ball from Yoenis Cespedes in the loss, while starting pitcher Rafael Montero helped himself with an RBI single. Unfortunately for them, that was not enough, as they head back home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend. The Rockies stay home and wait on the Philadelphia Phillies to come to town.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs were forced to wait out the rain at Wrigley Field on Thursday, but that did not slow down Paul Goldschmidt at the plate. The slugger recorded his first career three home run game in a 10-8 win over the defending champs. He broke an 8-8 tie in the ninth inning with a solo blast off of Cubs reliever Wade Davis, who took his first loss of the season. J.D. Martinez then added a solo home run to go back-to-back, adding insurance in the victory. Goldschmidt's first home run was a three-run shot in the first inning, with his second being of the two-run variety in the fifth. Brandon Drury also went deep to help them build a 6-1 lead before the Cubs began their comeback. Willson Contreras sparked the offense with two home runs and a career-high six RBI, as he tied the game with a two-run single in the eighth inning. Despite that, the Cubs dropped consecutive games for the time since the All-Star break. They will stay home to host the Washington Nationals this weekend, while the D-backs head out west for a series with the San Francisco Giants.
Gray Falls to Indians in Yankees Debut
Sonny Gray was a top acquisition of the New York Yankees at the trade deadline, but his new teammates did not help him out on Thursday. The Yankees committed three errors in the first inning alone, which lead to two Cleveland runs, and could not figure out Corey Kluber in a 5-1 loss to the Indians. Kluber went the distance and struck out 11 to improve to 9-3 on the season for The Tribe. He became the fourth pitcher in MLB history to strike out at least eight batters in 12 straight starts, joining the likes of Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez. Gray gave up four runs, only two of which were earned, as he pitched in to the sixth, while dropping his record to .500 at 6-6 on the year. Yan Gomes broke things open with a two-run double off the former Oakland Athletics ace in the sixth, snapping out of an 0-for-13 slump. The Yankees' lone run came on Gary Sanchez's 17th home run of the year, as they dropped two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. They will stay in Cleveland for three more games with the Indians this weekend.
Rockies Walk-Off Against Mets for Second Time
The Colorado Rockies walked off against the New York Mets for a second time on Thursday, but this walk-off lacked the excitement of a normal one. Nolan Arenado drew a bases loaded walk in the ninth inning, giving his team a 5-4 win in the series finale. Mets reliever Hansel Robles struggled with his control in the ninth inning, leading to the game-winning walk, and admitted after the game that he felt numbness in his arm. He was not taken out of the game because he did not inform the training staff or coaches about this issue. Robles had gotten Arenado down 0-2 in the count, before the wildness came back on the mound at the worst possible time. Charlie Blackmon and Mark Reynolds both went deep for Colorado, who took two of three from the struggling Mets. They dropped Wednesday's game after allowing 10 unanswered runs while blowing a 5-0 lead. They did get closer Greg Holland back from injury after he cut his finger in a kitchen incident. He earned the win after throwing a scoreless ninth inning. The Mets did get a long ball from Yoenis Cespedes in the loss, while starting pitcher Rafael Montero helped himself with an RBI single. Unfortunately for them, that was not enough, as they head back home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend. The Rockies stay home and wait on the Philadelphia Phillies to come to town.
