Detroit 6, Cleveland 2: The Tigers beat the Indians two out of three games and take a one game lead over the Tribe in the AL Central. The Tigers can further their lead in the AL Central in Interleague with games against the struggling Rockies and Dodgers. Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Raburn hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning and Max Scherzer picked up the victory.
Marlboro Man Quote: From the AP: “We’ve got a little something going,” Leyland said. “But it’s such a long grind. I don’t get carried away.” Thanks for ruining the fun Grandpa.
Toronto 3, Baltimore 4: The Orioles finally won a game in Canada. For the first time since 2009, the Orioles finally beat the Blue Jays in Toronto and they had to do it in the ninth inning! Ryan Adams singled the game-winning run in the ninth inning after Derek Lee scored on a fielder's choice.
St. Louis 7, San Francisco 12: Before Thursday's night game, Aubrey Huff had only hit four home runs on the year. After Thursday's game, Huff upped his total to seven. Huff had a three-homer night against the Cardinals all three coming against a different pitcher. Huff also knocked in three runs on the night to go along with a home run from Freddy Sanchez. Jonathon Sanchez picked up the victory for the Giants despite walking six batters and only striking out one. Just goes to show that the win stat in baseball is worthless.
Kansas City 2, Minnesota 8: The Twins scored six runs in the third inning against the Royals and four of those runs came off a throwing error. Only the Royals. Six different Twins players were credited with RBIs for the game. The Royals didn't exactly help themselves in the game though by leaving 16 men on base.
Washington 2, Philadelphia 1: There was a pitching dual yesterday in DC and John Lannan beat Roy Oswalt. Wait, what? That's just what it says in the boxscore. In reality both pitchers only pitched five complete innings and Oswalt committed one mistake more than Lannan when he gave up a home run to Layyyyyynce Nix. Other than that, this was a bullpen game with neither team reaching base.
Chicago 1, Houston 3: Brett "Boom outta here" Myers pitched six innings giving up only three hits and one run. Amazingly the Houston bullpen didn't blow the lead and the Astros were able to walk out of Chicago with the sweep. Jason Michaels and Michael Bourn drove in the only runs for the Astros.
Atlanta 2, San Diego 3, 10 Innings: Ways to make an impression with your manager as a rookie? Hit a game-winning home run in the tenth inning on the road. That exactly what Padres rookie catcher Kyle Phillips did on Monday. That was also his first home run of his career. The Braves didn't exactly help themselves in this game by leaving 15 men on base.
New York 5, Oakland 0: Trevor Cahill and Bartolo Colon pitched against each other on Monday. Guess who pitched the complete game shutout? If you guess Colon, you win. Colon pitched the complete game shutout giving up only four hits on the afternoon and striking out six. In the day and age we live in, how could you not be suspicious of this guy throwing a complete game shutout? Oh that right's, he played against the Oakland A's. Never mind then.
Texas 1 San Francisco 3: The wait is finally over for men like my father and uncle. The San Francisco Giants won their first world series title in the city of San Francisco Monday night 3-1. The Giants have been in San Francisco for 52 years, been to three world series in the past, but had never won a championship. That all ended behind a group of nobodies and a terrific pitching staff. Amazing to think about. The Giants had Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Barry Bonds, Will Clark, and Matt Williams, but those players never won championships in San Francisco. The Giants won the World Series behind Edgar Renteria (World Series MVP), Cody Ross (NLCS MVP), Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, Juan Uribe, and Andres Torres. The Giants can finally have a victory parade, it's time to celebrate.
Texas 0 San Francisco 4, Giants Take 3-1 Series Lead: The Texas Rangers have been shutout at home twice this season. The second time happened last night as Madison Bumgarner shutout the Rangers in eight innings with Brian Wilson closing the door on Texas in the ninth to push the Giants on the brink of a World Series ring.
Bumgarner was the star of the night though. He became the fourth youngest pitcher to pick up a victory in the World Series. Bumgarner pitched eight inning giving up only three hits and two walks while striking out six. It was a truly dominating performance by a guy who only turned 21 a couple of months ago.
Aubrey Huff put the Giants on the board first with a moon shot home run in the third inning. Those two RBIs by Huff would be more than enough for Bumgarner. Buster Posey would add an home run in the eighth inning to put the dagger in the Rangers hearts. With that home run Posey became the youngest Giants player ever to hit a home run in a World Series. The Giants will look to close out the Rangers tomorrow night with Tim Lincecum on the mound. The Rangers will counter with Cliff Lee. Should be a terrific game.
Bruce Bochy Quote: Noted poet Bruce Bochy on Madison Bumgarner. From the AP: “I can’t say enough about what he did,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Ron Washington Quote: From the AP: “I thought the pitching was the thing tonight,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “And their defense.” Freddy Sanchez at 2nd base was terrific on Sunday night.
Headline of the Night: Headline writers think they're so creative. (Via Jeff Sullivan)
Gif of the Night: I love Freddy Sanchez because of his reactions like this.
San Francisco 9 Texas 0, Giants Take 2-0 Series Lead: This game started out as a typical Giants game. Reaching base, leaving men on. Starting pitcher is dominate, so the Giants are still in the game. Some scrub (Edgar Renteria) hits a home run for the Giants to give them the lead. Giants pitcher allows hitters to reach base, but somehow doesn't allow them to score. Just your typical tortures Giants game.
Then all hell broke lose in the eighth inning. Rangers reliever Darren O'Day was able to get out the first couple of Giants hitters. Then Ron Washington went to his bullpen, but instead of bringing in his closer, Washington brought in Derek Holland. Why he didn't bring in his closer in a tight game (the Giants were only up by two runs) will be something that will haunt Washington for the rest of his life if the Rangers don't win this series.
Holland couldn't find the strike zone to save his life. He walked the first three hitters he faced to load the bases. Then he walked Aubrey Huff, which would score a run. Mercifully Holland was pulled in favor of Mark Lowe. One problem though, he started to walk hitters. Lowe walked in two runs himself. Just an amazing meltdown by the Rangers relievers. Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria would drive in runs the old fashion way during that inning, but the damage had already been done to the Rangers. They were too shell shocked to realize that Guillermo Mota was closing out the game.
San Francisco 11 Texas 7: So who had a final score of 11-7 in a game between Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum in their office pool? Lincecum struggled early and Cliff Lee struggled late. Lincecum gave up two runs in the first two innings. I think the majority of the country figured that would be enough for Cliff Lee. It wasn't. Lee allowed the Giants tie the game in the third inning and then gave up three runs in the fifth inning before being pulled. Juan Uribe broke the game lose in the fifth inning with a three-run home run off of Darren O'Day. That home run means free pot! Thankfully the Giants scored three more runs in the eighth inning because the Rangers scored three runs in the ninth inning and crazy beard Brian Wilson had to pick up the save. Freddy Sanchez had the big night for the Giants hitting three doubles and driving in three runs. The Rangers had four errors in the game, including two by Vlad Guerrero. If Vlad is out in right field tonight, then Ron Washington needs to resign as the manager before the Rangers return to Texas.
Caption Obvious Bruce Bochy: Bruce Bochy is just the opposite of Ozzie Guillen for the post game quotes. From the AP, “It wasn’t quite the game we thought it would be,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “Great pitchers, sometimes they’re a little bit off.”
Create a Caption: McCovey Cove was packed.
Video of the Day: The last time the Giants won the World Series, Willie Mays made this catch.
San Francisco 6 Philadelphia 5, Giants Take 3-1 Series Lead: This game took years off of Giants and Phillies fans lives. There was mediocre starting pitching, spotty relief, clutch hitting, and Roy Oswalt coming out of the bullpen for the ninth inning. Juan Uribe's sac fly in the ninth inning off of Roy Oswalt, who was working in relief for whatever reason, to drive in the winning run of the game and to push the Phillies to the brink of elimination. There's no other way to say this, but both bullpens stunk tonight. The Giants bullpen blew the lead twice and the Phillies bullpen blew a lead and eventually blew the game. The only reliever who was semi-incompetent for the Giants was the bearded wonder Brian Wilson, as he pitched a scoreless ninth and picked up the victory. Buster Posey had four hits in the game for the Giants and Pablo Sandoval hit a crucial two-run double in the sixth inning. It was great seeing the young guys clutch up. Roy Halladay pitches tomorrow for the Phillies, while Tim Lincecum looks to clinch a World Series birth for the Giants at home. Should be another outstanding game. If this is torture, then I would like some more please.
Create a Caption: UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU RIBE!
Video of the Day: Because I've never stopped believing.
New York 7 Texas 2, Texas Has 3-2 Game Lead: The Yankees kept their season alive behind C.C. Sabathia's six-inning performance. Sabathia gave up eleven hits and two runs, but the Yanks were able to get after Rangers starting pitcher C.J. Wilson and pick up a comfortable lead. Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and Curtis Granderson each homered for the Yankees. The Rangers wasted an opportunity and now have to close out the Yankees in Arlington. Colby Lewis and Phil Hughes will face off against each other on Friday night for the respective teams.
Ron Washington Quote: From the AP, Ron Washington goes poetic on us: “It’s not disappointing,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “It’s a seven-game series.”
Create a Caption: Vlad thinking about his next strike out or home run?
San Francisco 3 Philadelphia 0, Giants Take 2-1 Series Lead: Roy Oswalt pitched a gem on Sunday, and Matt Cain pitched a gem on Tuesday. Matt Cain went seven innings giving up two hits, no runs, three walks, and striking out five. Cain worked out of a couple of jams during the game beautifully and was able to pick up his first postseason win. Cody Ross continued his legend by knocking in the first run of the game in the fourth inning. The Giants would score two more times, but one run would have been enough as Cain, Javier Lopez, and Brian Wilson completely shutdown the Phillies offense. This was the first time since 1983 World Series, the Phillies were shutout in a playoff game. The Giants take the series lead and will now have Madison Bumgarner pitching tomorrow. Bumgarner was the winning pitcher in the clinching game for the Giants against the Braves in the NLDS. The Phillies will send Joe Blanton, and not Roy Halladay on short rest, to the mound.
Sour Grapes, Ryan Howard: While the other Phillies said job well done Matt Cain, Howard refused comment. From the San Jose Mercury News; "Phillies slugger Ryan Howard may have felt the same way, but we don't know because the only word he offered was "nope" to reporters' request for an interview as he headed toward the door." He's definitely taking after Barry Bonds.
New York 3 Texas 10, Rangers Take 3-1 Series Lead: This game went from controversy, to the bizarre, to finally a blowout which culminated in depressed Yankees fans. Even Nolan Ryan cracked a smile as the Rangers blew out the Yankees are now one game away from their first ever World Series appearance. Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett kept the game close until the sixth inning, when he gave up a three-run home run to Bengie "Money" Molina. The game was essentially over at that point. The Rangers would go on to score five more runs, but there was no way the lifeless/gutless Yankees were coming back. The Rangers can now claim the American League pennant in Yankee Stadium tomorrow, something that I hope happens just to see another team celebrate in the Yankees ballpark.
Bengie Molina Quote: At least Bengie can make fun of himself. From the AP: "It's not a bad job for a fat kid, that everybody makes fun when he runs," Molina said.
Tampa Bay 1 Texas 5, Texas wins series 3-2: For the first time in their history, the Texas Rangers will play in the ALCS. Only one problem though, they'll face the team that eliminated them every time they made the playoffs before, the New York Yankees. Right now though, the Rangers need to celebrate another wonderful Cliff Lee performance. For the second time in the series, Cliff Lee defeated David Price in Tampa Bay. Lee went nine innings, giving up six hits, one run, no walks, and striking out eleven. The Rangers scored five runs on a ground ball, throwing error, and a two-run home run by Ian Kinsler in the ninth inning. After the Kinsler home run, the Rays fans didn't want to stick around to watch Lee finish the complete game.
Cliff Lee Quote: Cliff Lee has to be a cyborg. Quote from the AP: “They’re a great team and that’s why they are where they are,” Lee said. “They’re going to be a good challenge, just like these guys.” The Rangers split the season series with the Yankees, including winning the last four games.
Create a Caption: Now the Rays and their fans can quit pretending like they care about this team.
Video of the Day: Mariners fans have to be crying right now.
Atlanta 2 San Francisco 3, Giants Win Series 3-1: It was never going to be easy for the Giants to win a five-game series. And Monday night proved to be no different. Two times in this game the Giants were trailing the Braves and like Sunday night, had to make a two-run rally to defeat the Braves.
The Giants were actually being no-hit by Derek Lowe heading into the sixth inning until Cody Ross hit a game-tying home run. The Braves would once again take the lead off a Brian McCann home run. The Giants would tie the game the only way they know how to, in a bizarre scene. With the bases loaded, Juan Uribe hit a groundball to Alex Gonzalez who then committed a throwing error breaking up a potential double play and allowing Aubrey Huff to score. Cody Ross (Undoubtedly the Giants NLDS MVP) singled in the go-ahead run. The Giants bullpen would shut down the Braves for the next three innnings, with Brian Wilson pulling his normal high wire act to pick up the save. Madison Bumgarner pitched impressively going six innings giving up six hits, two runs, and striking out five. Not bad for someone who couldn't legally drink alcohol a couple of months back.
With that loss, the Giants send Braves manager Bobby Cox into retirement. The Giants now move on to play Philadelphia in the NLCS with the dream match-up of Halladay-Lincecum facing off against each other in game 1. I can't wait to watch this game, but according to this guy I shouldn't even watch this series because the Phillies are going to "humiliate" the Giants.
Bobby Cox Quote: Bobby became quite emotional in the post-game press conference. Quote via the AP: “It doesn’t feel like the last time I’m putting it on, but it certainly is,” Cox said, his voice cracking. “I won’t put it on again.”
Create a Caption: This sight is always beautiful.
Video of the Day: Say what you want about Bobby Cox, this was a cool moment (Via Jose30/30)
Atlanta 2 San Francisco 3 SF takes 2-1 series lead: The Giants won this game by sheer attrition and Brooks Conrad. The Giants were down to their last strike when Freddy Sanchez reached base on a single. Aubrey Huff would single in Sanchez to tie the game and then Brooks Conrad happened. Brooks Conrad had already committed two errors in the game and he would make his third in the worst possible time. Buster Posey hit the ball to 2nd, should have been a routine play, and the play simply went through Conrad's legs the Giants took the lead. Brian Wilson came into the game, got three outs, and put the Braves on the verge of elimination. The Giants should have never had to make a comeback in this game. Sergio Romo once again disappointed out of the bullpen, giving up a two-run home run to pinch hitter Eric Hinske, blowing the lead and letting Jonathon Sanchez walk away with no victory after a beautiful performance. Sanchez pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings giving up two hits, one walk, and striking out eleven. Pretty impressive for his first career postseason start. The Giants will give the ball to rookie Madison Bumgarner tonight to end this series.
Brooks Conrad Quote: I would be lying if I didn't say I felt sorry for Brooks Conrad. Quote courtesy of the AP: “It was completely embarrassing,” said Conrad, who has made eight errors in the last seven games going back to the regular season. “Once again, I feel like I let everyone down. I wish I could just dig a hole and sleep in it.”
San Francisco 1 Atlanta 0, SF takes 1-0 Series Lead: I have to admit that I thought Tim Lincecum would struggle in his first career playoff start. I was wrong. Lincecum gave up two hits, one walk, no runs, while striking out 14 Braves hitters. While the Braves lineup doesn't have Chipper Jones or Martin Prado, this is still a lineup that is hard to strikeout making Lincecum's performance even more dominating. The play of the night that will certainly rage on the call for MLB to integrate instant replay into the game came in the fourth inning. Buster Posey stole 2nd on a hit and run and was obviously thrown out by a good foot. Didn't matter as he was called safe. Cody Ross would drive Posey in and that would be the only run the Giants would need. Needless to say that call will be talked about today and the rest of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay 0 Texas 6, Texas takes 2-0 Series Lead: C.J. Wilson was quite impressive in his first career postseason start. Wilson went 6 1/3 innings giving up no hits, two hits, two walks, while striking out seven. The play of this game was another blown call by a umpire. With the Rangers leading 2-0 in the fifth inning, a controversial non-check swing call against the Rangers Michael Young. Joe Maddon was thrown out of the game after arguing this call. On the next pitch Michael Young hit a three-run home run driving a stake in the Rays heart. The Rangers are now one game away from the ALCS.
Philadelphia 4 Cincinnati 0, 1-0 Series Lead for Philly: Yeah that just happened. Roy "Doc" Halladay became the first person since Don Larsen to throw a perfect game/no-hitter in the playoffs. If it wasn't for a fifth inning Jay Bruce walk, Halladay would have thrown a perfect game. At the end of the day, Halladay dominated the NL's best offensive team striking out eight in the process. Halladay even had an RBI in the game off of Reds starting pitcher Edison Volquez. Quite the night for Doc Halladay.
Tampa Bay 1 Texas 5, 1-0 Series Lead for Texas: In the battle between left-handers, Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers got the best of David Price and the Tampa Bay Rays. Lee was in trouble early has he loaded the bases, but got out of the jam and new looked back. Lee pitched seven innings giving up five hits and one run off a Ben Zobrist home run. David Price on the other hand gave up nine hits, five runs in 6 2/3 innings. Bengie Molina had a big day (literally) driving in two runs and homering. Nelson Cruz also homered in the game for the Rangers.
Minnesota 4 NY Yankees 6, 1-0 Series Lead for NYY: The Twins are probably asking themselves, what can we do to beat these guys? Because the Twins haven't beaten the Yankees in the playoffs in a long time. On Wednesday night the Twins jumped out to a 3-0 lead only to see Francisco Lirano blow the lead in the sixth inning. The Twins would tie the game when CC Sabathia walked a hitter with the bases loaded. In the seventh inning, the Twins blew the tie, when Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run and the Yankees wouldn't look back from there. I don't see how it's possible for the Twins to win a game against New York, led alone the series.
Create a Caption: The Boxscore from Roy Halladay's no-hitter.
After all the torture, all the games in which the Giants lost after only giving up one-hit, and the tough loses the Giants can put that all behind themselves because they are the National League West Champions. The Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 3-0 on Sunday to clinch their first playoff berth in seven years. It wasn't easy, but the Giants fought through everything and clinched the NL West behind Jonathon Sanchez. They'll play the Atlanta Braves at home on Thursday night. I'll preview that series later.
San Francisco 8 Chicago 7: The Cubs probably can't get out of San Francisco fast enough. In a four game series, the Cubs lost two of the games on walkoff's. It did come at a price though as the Giants relievers blew a four-run lead in the eighth inning. Andres Torres hit a ground-rule double with the bases loaded to drive in the winning run of the game. Pat Burrell hit two home runs in the game including a grand slam and Pablo Sandoval hit his first home run since June.
New York 4 Colorado 0: One day after Francisco Rodriguez used his father-in-law as a pinata, the Mets thankfully didn't need a closer on Thursday. Johan Santana pitched a complete game shutout giving up only four hits and striking out ten. Four different Mets players drove in runs during the game.
Cincinnati 1 St. Louis 6: I'm a firm believer that brawls are not good for teams, especially late in the year. It shows that team doesn't have the mentality to compete down the stretch. I remember last year when the Giants got into one with the Dodgers late in August. The Giants promptly collapsed at the end of the season and missed the playoffs because they didn't have the mentality to compete down the stretch. I hope Reds fans remember this because their team was just swept by St. Louis and now sit a game behind the Cardinals in the NL Central.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2 Kansas City 1, 10 Innings: Both Zach Greinke and Jerred Weaver pitched beautifully in eight innings both giving up six hits and one run. Bobby Abreau homered off of Jesse Chavez in the 10th inning to defeat the Royals. Poor Greinke, the guy can't catch a break while playing for the Royals.
Detroit 3 Tampa Bay 2: In the battle of pitchers who have thrown no-hitters, Justin Verlander got the better of Matt Garza. Verlander pitched six innings giving up six hits, one run, and struck out seven. Ryan Raburn hit a tie-breaking two-run home run off of Garza in the sixth inning to help the Tigers avoid the sweep.
New York 1 Boston 2: The Red Sox split an important series with the Yankees to stay six games back of New York. Jon Lester was impressive for Boston pitching 6 1/3 innings giving up no runs, four hits, and striking out six. Daniel Bard pitched an important 1 /3 inning with Papelbon pitching another 1 1/3 inning to pick up the save. Bill Hall and D.L. Drew drove in the only runs of the game for Boston.
Cincinnati 3 St. Louis 7: The Cardinals scored all seven runs in the fourth inning with all seven runs coming off of Reds pitcher Mike Leake. Skip Schumaker hit a grand slam in that fourth inning. Chris Carpenter picked up the win going seven innings giving up five hits, two runs, and striking out five. The Cardinals are now one game back of the Reds in the NL Central.
Baltimore 3 Chicago 2, 10 Innings: Someone stop the Orioles. They've gone 6-1 since Buck Showalter was hired as the manager tieing Earl Weaver for the Baltimore record. Brian Roberts finally returned to the Orioles and then hit the game-winning home run in the tenth inning. The Orioles are on fire!
Toronto 1 Tampa Bay 0: Tampa Bay came *this* close to being no-hit again, there third time this season being no-hit a MLB record. Evan Longoria though saved the Devil Rays from bad history by recording a hit with two-outs in the top of the ninth inning. Brandon Morrow of the Blue Jays though ended up with a one-hit complete game shutout. Vernon Wells drove in the only run of the game in the first inning.
Philadelphia 6 New York 5: Roy Halladay didn't have his best stuff on Sunday, but that was more than enough to beat the Mets. Halladay went seven innings giving up nine hits and five runs, but he still picked up the victory. Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez both homered for the Phillies with Ibanez driving in three runs.
