Fan Interference

Prof: Today I’m going with some music from our friends in the United Kingdom. The UK baseball scene has exploded in the last couple of years, with twitter accounts for virtually every major league team and watch parties all over England and Scotland. In fact, there’s even a young fellow called the Baseball Brit who has quit his job to follow baseball all over America for a year. Regardless of what Rob Manfred thinks, this sport has growth potential as it is; we just have to champion it.

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Brewers 1, Reds 0 – Prof: Call this group from Milwaukee the Merry Maids because all they do is sweep! A snoozer between these two NL Central teams, with the heavy lumber taking a bit of a nap. The only score in this contest was a run batted in by Manny Pina in the second inning.

Cubs 4, Braves 6 – Scouts: The Braves won one for the gipper lastnight.  Playing with heavy hearts as Bobby Cox was admitted into the hospital following a stroke the previous night, the Braves mounted a 4 run rally in the 8th to come from behind and take a win.  Johan Camargo doubled in the three winning runs.

Cardinals 5, Pirates 4 F/10 – Scouts: Down 3-0, the Cardinals tied it up in the 8th, then took the lead in the 10th thanks to a single and a Wild Pitch by Francisco Liriano.  They almost blew it in the bottom of the frame when JB Schuck was walked with the bases juiced, and 1 out, but Dakota Hudson was able to get Erik Gonzalez to pop out and Pablo Reyes to ground out to end the game

 

Astros 0, Rangers 4 – Scouts: Houston hasn’t had a terribly good go of it in the first week of the season, and running into Mike Minor wasn’t very helpful.  Minor shut out hte Astros along 7 strong innings, fanning 7 in the process.

Phillies 8, Nationals 9 – Prof: These two teams simply loathe each other, and friends, I am here for it. It was a slugfest. The Phillies jumped out to an early lead  off a Rhys Hoskins single and JT Realmuto ground out. Washington answered with two homers in the first, and a Juan Soto three run homer in the third. A couple of runs in the fourth and a big eighth inning for the Phriends of the Phanatic. All tied going into the ninth, and David Robertson walked a rookie who hasn’t had a major league hit to win the game for the Nats. That’s what you might call a bonehead move. Philadelphia loses their first game of the season.

 

White Sox 8, Spiders 3 – Prof: Battered and bruised Corey Kluber loses yet another start, this time to the White Sox. Jose Abreu batted in three runs and Carlos Rodon struck out nine in the win. Someone in the Tragical Land of Cleve needs to check the Klubot’s battery. Maybe don’t let Trevor Bauer do it, though.

Rockies 1, Rays 0 F/11 – Prof: Scoreless for ten full innings until Colorado catcher Chris Iannetta hit a solo homer in the eleventh inning. The Rox put the brakes on their losing skid for now.

Twins 7, Royals 6 – Scouts: The Twins continue their hot start, rallying from behind to pickup 2 in the 8th and 1 in the 9th and take the game.  Eddie Rosario singled in the winning run while Mitch Garver went 3-4 with a pair of RBI’s.

Diamondbacks 1, Padres 4 – Prof: It took a couple of games, but Manny Machado has finally blasted a homer in a Padres uni. It was a two run shot in the seventh, increasing San Diego’s lead to four and securing the win over Robbie Ray and the Gritty Snakes.

 

Tigers 2, Yankees 1 – Scouts: Man the Yankees just can’t catch a break.  I feel so sorry for them.  OK, now I have to shower off the giant vat of sarcasm I’m drenched in.  Matthew Boyd struck out 13 over 6.1 innings and Gordon Becham homered off Zack Britton in the 8th to send the Yankees to their 4th loss in the opening home stand.  Now they have to travel to Baltimore to face Chris Davis and the 4-2 Orioles.  Yeah, I’d be scared too if I was New York.  Isn’t it time to panic and talk about signing Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel?

Orioles 3, Blue Jays 5 – Scouts: I legit came across a post on the O’s Reddit yesterday reminding people that season tickets were still available and season tickets guaranteed playoff ticket availability.  Gotta love a fan base that knows on game 6 that it’s going to be a long year, you might as well have some fun with it.  Anyways, the division leaders fell to Toronto, due in large part to Randal Grichuk signing a 5 year extension, then going out and smashing a pair of dongs.  Chris Davis went 0-2 with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

Mets 6, Marlins 4 – Prof: It does my heart good to see pitchers doing well on the bump and at the plate. Yesterday’s example was Jacob deGrom. The young master fanned fourteen and even hit a homer in this win over Miami. Pete Alonso continues to play quality ball and is currently rocking a batting average over .400.

 

Red Sox 6, Athletics 3 – Scouts: Boston finally remembers they have the ability to hit and put up 6 big ones on Oakland.  Mookie Betts managed not to get embarrassed by a lazer throw from center for a third game in a row, and all is right in Boston.  At least for today.

Giants 3, Dodgers 5 – Scouts: Speaking of remembering they can hit, the Dodgers have now homered in all 7 games, but it was a David Freese two-run double in the 7th that made the difference in this one.