Tigers 5, Athletics 4: I would have to think that a walkoff grand slam when you’re down by three is, if one scored such things on style and drama points, the highest possible scoring walkoff there is. And get this: the Tigers last had a walkoff grand slam June 27, 2004. Before that: June 21, 1994. So basically, late June, every ten years, someone does this for Detroit. I’m calling June 2024’s to be done by either Nick Castellanos or some kid in the ninth grade someplace.
Nationals 7, Rockies 3: Bryce Harper went 1 for 3 with an RBI single on Bryce Harper bobblehead/Everyone hates Bryce Harper night. Adam LaRoche homered, Ryan Zimmerman had three hits and Ian Desmond hit two doubles. Denard Span, the guy Harper implied he did not want in the lineup during his controversial comments yesterday, went 0 for 3.
Rays 4, Yankees 3: The Rays had a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth but Joel Roberts blew it by giving up a game-tying Brian Roberts homer. Tampa Bay got a Logan Forsythe RBI single in the 12th to win it, though, because Mystique and Aura have apparently retired and have opened up a craft store or something back in the small town they came from.
Braves 5, Mets 3: The Braves were down 3-1 in the eighth, but they were playing the Mets, and this is their theme song, so you never really felt the game was out of hand. In that eighth Mets pitcher Jeurys Familia center fielder Juan Lagares and third baseman Eric Campbell all committed errors as the Braves rallied for four runs. Familia’s error could’ve been a double play. If he converts that and Lagares doesn’t commit his error, the Mets escape the inning with no runs scoring. But then again, if that happens we’re deprived of all of the comedy.
Orioles 7, Rangers 1: Steve Pearce hit two homers and drove in four. In other, crazy-unexpected news Ubaldo Jimenez pitched well and won at home and that never happens.
Dodgers 1, Indians 0: Dan Haren and the bullpen combine to one-hit the Indians. The only hit: a Michael Bourn single that was originally called an out but overturned on replay review. Probably for the best, though. Haren left the game after seven with 103 pitches. If he had a no-no going he’d probably have stayed in the game, eventually tired out and, more importantly, wouldn’t have been pinch-hit for by Clint Robinson, who ended up plating the game’s only run.
Padres 1, Reds 0: Not a great offensive day for Ohio teams in Southern California. This one featured a one-hitter too. Except it was the winning team notching only one hit. And it wasn’t even an RBI. Their run scored on a sac fly. Jesse Hahn and four relievers combine for the shutout. Mat Latos, back in San Diego where his career got going, gets the loss despite allowing that lone hit in seven innings.
Cubs 2, Red Sox 0: No offense for the home team in Boston, as the Red Sox were no-hit by Jake Arrieta until there were two outs in the eighth. Arrieta has been crazy-good lately. On his last outing six days ago he carried a perfect game into the seventh.
Editor’s Note: Hardball Talk’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-day $35,000 Fantasy Baseball league for Tuesday night’s MLB games. It’s $25 to join and first prize is $6,000. Starts at 7:05pm ET on Tuesday. Here’s the FanDuel link.
Royals 6, Twins 1: Alcides Escobar had two doubles and four RBI. Kansas City has won three of four.
Mariners 10, Astros 4: Robinson Cano had a three-run blast and the M’s had four homers in all, supporting Taijuan Walker in his 2014 debut. Walker allowed three runs over six.
Angels vs. White Sox: POSTPONED:
“The rain to the wind said,
You push and I’ll pelt.’
They so smote the garden bed
That the flowers actually knelt,
And lay lodged–though not dead.
I know how the flowers felt.”
