Settling the Score: Friday’s results

By D.J. ShortAug 1, 2015, 8:59 AM EDT
48 Comments

The Orioles fell one run short in their comeback attempt Thursday, but they managed to get it done last night against the Tigers, coming from six runs down for an 8-7 victory at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

After Wei-Yin Chen was knocked out of the game early, the Orioles chipped away with one run in the fourth inning and four in the fifth, including a three-run homer from Adam Jones. Manny Machado then gave the Orioles the lead in the sixth with a two-run homer. Chris Davis delivered an RBI single later on in the frame, which proved to be the difference in the ballgame.

With the win, the Orioles improved to 52-50 on the year and sit just one game back in what promises to be a crazy Wild Card race in the American League. Seven teams are within five games of the Twins right now.

Your Friday box scores and AP recaps:

Tigers 7, Orioles 8

Braves 3, Phillies 9

Royals 6, Blue Jays 7 (11 innings)

Pirates 5, Reds 4

Rays 5, Red Sox 7

Nationals 1, Mets 2 (12 innings)

Yankees 13, White Sox 6

Padres 8, Marlins 3 (11 innings)

Mariners 6, Twins 1

Cubs 4, Brewers 1

Indians 2, Athletics 1

Rockies 0, Cardinals 7

Giants 3, Rangers 6

Diamondbacks 6, Astros 4 (10 innings)

Angels 3, Dodgers 5

Bryce Harper played some third base in an intrasquad game

Bryce Harper third base
Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
By Bill BaerJul 13, 2020, 9:37 PM EDT
1 Comment

Phillies star outfielder Bryce Harper played some third base during Monday’s intrasquad game at Citizens Bank Park, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Harper had been pestering manager Joe Girardi for the opportunity and the skipper finally gave in.

Girardi told Harper, “No diving. And make sure your arm is loose.” Harper had the opportunity to field one ball, a grounder to his left and he made the play perfectly.

Why put Harper at third base? Girardi said, “I think it’s important the guys have fun. I saw him a week ago taking ground balls there and I was impressed. His hands worked well out front and he threw the ball across the field well. I told him, ‘You look good there.'”

Despite the solid showing, don’t expect Harper to show up at third base in a meaningful game anytime soon. That being said, the Phillies’ second and third base situations are still not cemented. Jean Segura will likely open the season at the hot corner with Scott Kingery at second, but things could change between now and Opening Day in 10 days.

Harper, 27, is coming off a solid first season with the Phillies. He hit .260/.372/.510 with 36 doubles, 35 home runs, 114 RBI, 98 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases across 682 plate appearances. Per FanGraphs, Harper’s 4.6 Wins Above Replacement ranked 16th in the National League. For some people, those numbers weren’t nearly good enough, so the expectations remain high as Harper enters year two of his 13-year, $330 million contract.