Game of the Day
@Indians 5, Mariners 4: What disaster? On a shirtsleeve day in Cleveland, the unflappable Tribe shook off the top-half’s shocks and went straight to their work in the last of the 9th, and the lunchpail gang wound up with on-field congrats for the 2nd time in 18 hours.
Bunch of exciting games today. You know which one I watched, so the rest of you gotta help me out!
Mets 3, @Cubs 2: Thirty-four years ago Friday, visiting SP Randy Lerch homered to cap a 7-run Philly 1st. He was knocked out after 6 batters in the bottom half. This afternoon, Matt Harvey gave up some loud drives early and one infield hit that scored 2 runs in the 1st. But the wind was blowing in, and he retired 20 of the next 21.
@Yankees 4, Mariners 3: How did Seattle lose this game? They topped New York 10-7 in his, 3-2 in doubles, 1-0 in HRs (a 2-run shot), 2-1 in DPs turned, and 2-1 in hits with RISP.
The M’s did lead after 6 innings, 3-1. King Felix was “ordinarily” sharp, while CC Sabathia‘s outing reflected both his declining fastball and his unstinting work ethic. But the game turned over completely from the top of the 7th through the top of the 8th.
Cubs 8, @Nationals 2: Stephen Strasburg retired the first 11 Cubs, as if we’re impressed by that any more, and matched zeroes through 4 with Edwin Jackson (which is far more remarkable). With two down and a clean slate in the 5th, Ryan Zimmerman made his daily throwing error …
Miller and Lester, fine — but I’ve got an SP line that hadn’t occurred in 90 years, and it’s not Alex Cobb, either. You’ll have to read through to find it.
I’m a little punchy, but here’s what I’ve got for you:
@Indians 9, A’s 2: Take that, skeptics. Those (like me) who scoffed at the odds of Scott Kazmir‘s comeback, 4 years since his last good season and after dropping all the way to the independent Sugar Land Skeeters, now have a reason to eat their words. Coming off his first quality start in almost 3 years, Kazmir fanned 10 while holding the AL’s #2 offense to one run in 6 innings, with no walks against the club that’s far out front in that department.
[If you’ve had enough Harvey by now, skip down to “Other Monday action.”]
Six inches, maybe four: That’s what came between Matt Harvey and 9 perfect innings. The only blot on his line was a 2-out infield hit in the 7th by Alex Rios, gloved in the hole by Ruben Tejada with a jump-throw that was a split second late. Move that grounder a few inches to the right….
Belated happy 82nd birthday, Willie! May 6 is otherwise a dull day in MLB birthday history: no one else had more than Dick Wakefield’s 56 HRs, 315 RBI or 334 Runs, Walton Cruise’s 644 hits or 49 SB, or Mike McCormick’s 748 games (the ’40s OF, not the pitcher). Gerardo Parra and Jose Altuve, you have something to shoot for.
To the games we go!
And now to the games. As always, I’m sorry if your faves are neglected; no slight is intended.
@Marlins 2, Phillies 0: Youth shall be served. At the very least, with Miami, youth shall get playing time. Jose Fernandez (20) earned his first victory with a dazzler, allowing a hit to the 2nd batter and no more through 7 innings, while 22-year-old slugger Marcell Ozuna supplied the only run needful with his first career HR. Fernandez fanned 9, and sent 17 straight to the dugout between the hit and his only walk, both by Freddy Galvis. The other run off Cole Hamels was career HR #2 for Chris Valaika, who added a hit-saving play.