Fan Interference

Prof: As Raysfan mentioned in his most recent post, The Franchise has died. Tom Seaver was a hero to anyone who loves pitching. He was the archetype of the modern pitcher, with his health regimen, his intelligence, his business-like way of facing opponents. Tom Terrific was all class, and one of the greatest there ever was or will be. Rest easy, king. You were one of a kind.

 

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White Sox 1, Twins 8 – Scouts: Big win for Minnesota taking another against the former division leader, however the win came at a big cost.  While the Twins got back Josh Donaldson, they also lost Max Kepler to a groin pull, and Luis Arraez to a left patellar soreness.

Giants 6, Rockies 9 – Prof: It looked like Colorado was going to get shellacked again, but the Purple Dinos went HAM starting in the fifth. Little by little, the Rockies fought back, overcoming a five run deficit and giving new Rox Mychael Givens a W.

 

Mets 9, Orioles 4 – Prof: My favorite Met, Michael Conforto, had himself a night! 5 RBI, going 4-5. Polar Bear Pete Alonso hit a homer as well. I forgot that Michael Wacha played for New York these days, although he got chased early on.

Spiders 5, Royals 0 – Scouts: I have to admit I haven’t been following the Spiders too closely, so I was shocked when I saw that a contending team trade away a stud like Mike Clevinger.  It would seem the reason for that was they were beyond stuffed at starting pitching as it was.  Triston McKenzie was a big part of that confidence and he showed it again last night shutting out the Royals on just 3 hits over 6 innings, lowering his ERA to 1.69.

 

Cardinals 3, Reds 4 – Prof: Shogo Akiyama seemed to be all over the field last night. Tucker Barnhart had a two run homer, and the World’s Sassiest Canadian hit the winning single to bring – you guessed it – Akiyama home.

Blue Jays 2, Marlins 1 – Prof: The fifth inning was where it all happened, as this was the only inning with any real action. Gurriel Jr. hit a two run homer and that’s all Toronto needed.

Rays 5, Yankees 2 – Scouts: It was important for Tampa to come out and prove that yesterdays loss to the Yankees was just a one time thing.  And they came out swinging early.  After getting buzzed by an unnecessary fastball to end the game yesterday, Mike Brosseau and the Rays didn’t take it sitting down.  Brosseau smoked not one, but two homers to really send a message old school style.  I think I’m starting to really like this team.

 

Padres 11, Angels 4 – Prof: Jason Castro came up big for his new team, not that they needed him. Jurickson Profar keeps mashing. Meanwhile, Mike Trout hit a two run homer and continues to be wasted.

D-backs 2, Dodgers 3 F/10 – Scouts: Yawn, winning is so boring for LA these days. Even an extra inning walk off seems mundane.  LA went scoreless until Mookie Betts homered in the 9th to tie it.  Then they toyed with Arizona a little, walking in the go ahead run in the 10th because just normal winning isn’t enough for these Dodgers.  They gotta present a challenge.  And after a Chris Taylor bunt and throwing error by Junior Guerra, Wil Smith singled in Taylor to score the walk off.  You know.  Whatever.  I guess.

 

Cubs 8, Pirates 2 – Scouts: Pretty standard, unexciting game really.  Pittsburgh never really threatened despite striking first.  Kyle Hendricks kept them in check over 6 innings, with the sole exception being a solo homer by Colin Moran in the second.  But then Javier Baez knocked in three on a homer in the 4th and that was pretty much the ball game.

Rangers 1, Asterisks 2 – Prof: Two Texas teams square off, and because of a base runner Houston comes out on top. Michael Brantley

Braves 7, Red Sox 5 – Prof: Adam Duvall! 3-4, 5 RBI. Marcell Ozuna also did some big things, and the ATL bullpen carried the water.

 

Tigers 5, Brewers 8 – Scouts: Josh Hader has now been the first pitcher to begin a season with 12 consecutive hit-less appearances.  That’s one of those stats that sounds overly convoluted, but still manages to be quite impressive.

Nationals 0, Phillies 3 – Prof: Zack Wheeler continues to deal. This time, he went face to face with Mad Max Scherzer and came out on top. Of course it helps that Philadelphia was able to put tge ball in play. Neil Walker and Jay Bruce were your offensive leaders, with Bruce bopping a solo bomb.

 

A’s, Mariners- PPD