Yardwork: A's Walkoff on Matsui's Homer
By Tim Ryan
Red Sox 9, Angels 5 — Dustin Pedroia defines scrappiness because he’s white, little and always sports scruff. But he’s also scrappy because he fouled off nine pitches in a 13-pitch at-bat against Jered Weaver before hitting a two-run single that gave the Sox the lead for good. It was Weaver’s first loss of the year, though he didn’t pitch poorly. The Angels bullpen can be thanked for the ugly score.
Pirates 4, Padres 3 — The Pirates won, so there’s that, but there’s also this: Third baseman Pedro Alvarez has been behind in the count 0-2, 40 times this season. In those 40 at-bats, he is 0-40. At least he’s consistent.
Nats 2, Giants 0 — Tom Gorzelanny cruised through eight innings of three-hit ball on 95 pitches against San Fran’s uninspired, flaccid wood. Within the last week, the pathetic defending champs have been shutout by the Pirates once, and the Nationals twice. Up next, contraction.
Marlins 6, Cards 5 — For the first time since his initial start of the season, Kyle Lohse has opened the door for other Cy Young candidates. He allowed six hits and five runs, including two home runs. Mike Stanton was 3-for-5 with a home run.
White Sox 6, Orioles 2 — I love the MLB Network. I really do. But is it possible, at least on occasion, for them to use the radio feed or the other team’s broadcasters when showing White Sox highlights? Hawk Harrelson makes me want to punch my TV in the face. Anyway, Paul Konerko homered twice and Mark Buehrle threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings.
Braves 6, Brewers 2 — Jair Jurrjens pitched into the eighth inning, scattering seven hits and giving up two runs, which is the most he’s allowed in four starts. Braves fans have to be loving Jar-Jar-Jurrjens right now. Alex Gonzalez, who will reportedly play forever, went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.
Yankees 5, Tigers 3 — The Yanks got two in the ninth off master of the mound dance, Jose Valverde, who walked two and surrendered two hits. That’s seven straight losses for Detroit. Justin Verlander has bizarrely allowed exactly three earned runs in six of his seven starts.
Neg-burns! Mullet! AHHHHHHHH:
[Photo via Getty]