Thursday, April 23, 2009

Mariners Outlast Rays in 16-Inning Pitcher's Duel


SEATTLE - Two of the American League's best young hurlers matched up on Thursday and set the stage for the Mariners' thrilling extra-inning walk-off win. Young Mariners' ace Felix Hernandez and James Shields of the Rays threw everything they had at opposing hitters before leaving the game in the hands of their bullpens.

The Rays got off to a quick start in the first inning with a lead-off single from B.J. Upton to start the contest. Before Carl Crawford could even put the ball in play, Upton would give the Rays the 1-0 lead with two stolen bases and a wild pitch.

Jose Lopez would account for most of the Mariners offense in the contest, taking James Shields deep in the fourth inning, knotting the score at 1-1. The Rays would answer the next frame, taking the lead with a solo shot from designated hitter Pat Burrell to grab the lead.

The starters would shut the door until the bottom of the eighth. After a leadoff single from outfielder Franklin Gutierrez would single to lead off the inning. Yuniesky Betancourt's double would move Gutierrez over to third before Jamie Burke would bring him in with a sac fly to tie the score 2-2. James Shields would be lifted in the inning ending his day allowing 2 runs on 6 hits in 7.1 innings. Felix Hernandez would leave the game after one out in the ninth surrendering just 7 hits and 2 runs in his 8.1 innings.

The Mariners would squander a golden opportunity in the top of the ninth. Adrian Beltre would swat a lead-off double off of Rays' closer Troy Percival. After stealing third with no outs in the innings, pinch-hitting Ken Griffey, Jr., Rob Johnson, and Gutierrez would be unable to bring in the winning run.

Neither team would get on the board again until the 15th inning. Mariners' reliever Miguel Batista would walk Rays' catcher Dioner Navarro before surrendering a two-run homer to Jason Bartlett. After burning through most of their bullpen, the Rays were forced to call on lefty specialist Brian Shouse to close out the game. Shouse's trouble with right-handed batters was evident as he'd allow four singles in the inning, including a game-tying bases-loaded single from Rob Johnson.

With the score tied at 4-4 Miguel Batista would shut the door in the top of the 16th inning. With no other relief options available Shouse got the call again in the bottom of the inning. He'd surrender a single to Ronny Cedeno who pinch-hit for Endy Chavez the previous inning. Jose Lopez would come through again with a game-winning RBI double giving the Mariners a 5-4 win and a series victory. Batista was credited with the win.


Rays @ Mariners
Game 1: Mariners 7, Rays 5
Game 2: Rays 4, Mariners 3
Game 3: Mariners 5, Rays 4
BOX SCORES

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Braves @ Nationals
Game 1: Nationals 6, Braves 3
Game 2: Braves 5, Nationals 3
Game 3: Braves 14, Nationals 1
BOX SCORES

Marlins @ Pirates
Game 1: Pirates 2, Marlins 1
Game 2: Marlins 8, Pirates 4
Game 3: Pirates 7, Marlins 4
BOX SCORES

Athletics @ Yankees
Game 1: Postponed
Game 2: Yankees 11, Athletics 1
Game 3: Yankees 4, Athletics 2
BOX SCORES

Rockies @ Diamondbacks
Game 1: D-backs 4, Rockies 2
Game 2: Rockies 9, D-backs 7
Game 3: Rockies 5, D-backs 2
BOX SCORES

White Sox @ Orioles
Game 1: Orioles 3, White Sox 1
Game 2: Orioles 2, White Sox 1
Game 3: Orioles 6, White Sox 2
BOX SCORES

Royals @ Indians
Game 1: Indians 10, Royals 6
Game 2: Indians 5, Royals 3
Game 3: Indians 8, Royals 2
BOX SCORES

Brewers @ Phillies
Game 1: Phillies 13, Brewers 2
Game 2: Phillies 4, Brewers 0
Game 3: Phillies 6, Brewers 4
BOX SCORES

Rangers @ Blue Jays
Game 1: Blue Jays 6, Rangers 4
Game 2: Rangers 8, Blue Jays 7
Game 3: Rangers 5, Blue Jays 1
BOX SCORES

Twins @ Red Sox
Game 1: Red Sox 4, Twins 3
Game 2: Twins 1, Red Sox 0
BOX SCORES

Reds @ Cubs
Game 1: Reds 3, Cubs 2
Game 2: Reds 4, Cubs 3
Game 3: Cubs 5, Reds 3
BOX SCORES

Dodgers @ Astros
Game 1: Dodgers 10, Astros 0
Game 2: Astros 5, Dodgers 4
Game 3: Dodgers 5, Astros 2
BOX SCORES

Mets @ Cardinals
Game 1: Cardinals 5, Mets 3
Game 2: Mets 12, Cardinals 3
Game 3: Cardinals 10, Mets 3
BOX SCORES

Tigers @ Angels
Game 1: Angels 10, Tigers 4
Game 2: Angels 6, Tigers 2
Game 3: Angels 7, Tigers 3
BOX SCORES

Padres @ Giants
Game 1: Giants 3, Padres 1
Game 2: Padres 9, Giants 0
BOX SCORES



Standings & League Leaders
MLB Standings
American League Batting Leaders
American League Pitching Leaders
National League Batting Leaders
National League Pitching Leaders

Monday, April 20, 2009

Super Freak! Lincecum One-Hits D-backs


SAN FRANCISCO - When Tim Lincecum is on, he's nearly un-hittable. The Arizona Diamondbacks had no answer for 'The Freak' on Saturday as Lincecum would surrender little on way to his league-leading third victory of the season.

The Giants got on the board first in the third inning when Randy Winn would lead off with a triple off of D-backs veteran lefty Doug Davis. Juan Uribe, who took over at second base after Emmanuel Burriss's early exit, singled in Winn giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. Burriss left in the first inning after being hit on the hand with a pitch.

Fred Lewis led off the fourth with a double, his first of two doubles and three hits in the contest, and would be driven in by Aaron Rowand. Davis would exit after 7.0 with a 2-0 defecit. Lewis would knock in Andres Torres, running for Pablo Sandoval who also exited after being hit by a pitch, as the Dodgers would take a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning.

Lincecum stymied the opposition all game long. The D-backs wouldn't get their first baserunners until the 6th inning when Lincecum would issue walks to Miguel Montero and Augie Ojeda. Lincecum's no-hitter would remain intact until Justin Upton would hit a two-out double in the bottom of the eighth. Augie Ojeda reached on a hit-by-pitch to lead off the ninth but Lincecum would slam the door shut striking out the last three Arizona batters to preserve his 13 strikeout, complete game, one-hit shutout.

Diamondbacks @ Giants
Game 1: D-backs 6, Giants 1
Game 2: Giants 3, D-backs 0
Game 3: D-backs 8, Giants 1
BOX SCORES

_________________________________________________________

Indians @ Yankees
Game 1: Yankees 7, Indians 2
Game 2: Yankees 8, Indians 4
Game 3: Yankees 12, Indians 3
Game 4: Yankees 8, Indians 5
BOX SCORES

Cardinals @ Cubs
Game 1: Cubs 4, Cardinals 2
Game 2: Cubs 8, Cardinals 4
Game 3: Cubs 6, Cardinals 0
Game 4: Postponed
BOX SCORES

White Sox @ Rays
Game 1: Rays 4, White Sox 2
Game 2: Rays 8, White Sox 2
Game 3: Rays 5, White Sox 1
Game 4: White Sox 5, Rays 2
BOX SCORES

Braves @ Pirates
Game 1: Pirates 8, Braves 2
Game 2: Pirates 11, Braves 10
Game 3: Pirates 3, Braves 2
BOX SCORES

Marlins @ Nationals
Game 1: Marlins 4, Nationals 2
Game 2: Marlins 6, Nationals 3
Game 3: Marlins 14, Nationals 5
BOX SCORES

Padres @ Phillies
Game 1: Phillies 10, Padres 1
Game 2: Phillies 3, Padres 2
Game 3: Padres 2, Phillies 1
Game 4: Postponed
BOX SCORES

Athletics @ Blue Jays
Game 1: Athletics 3, Blue Jays 1
Game 2: Athletics 11, Blue Jays 6
Game 3: Athletics 4, Blue Jays 2
BOX SCORES

Orioles @ Red Sox
Game 1: Red Sox 18, Orioles 5
Game 2: Orioles 6, Red Sox 3
Game 3: Red Sox 6, Orioles 1
Game 4: Red Sox 5, Orioles 2
BOX SCORES

Brewers @ Mets
Game 1: Mets 5, Brewers 1
Game 2: Brewers 3, Mets 2
Game 3: Mets 7, Brewers 4
BOX SCORES

Reds @ Astros
Game 1: Astros 13, Reds 10
Game 2: Reds 5, Astros 3
Game 3: Reds 3, Astros 2
Game 4: Reds 6, Astros 1
BOX SCORES

Royals @ Rangers
Game 1: Royals 8, Rangers 3
Game 2: Rangers 3, Royals 2
Game 3: Royals 5, Rangers 3
BOX SCORES

Angels @ Twins
Game 1: Angels 3, Twins 1
Game 2: Twins 4, Angels 3
Game 3: Twins 7, Angels 4
BOX SCORES

Rockies @ Dodgers
Game 1: Rockies 10, Dodgers 2
Game 2: Rockies 8, Dodgers 4
Game 3: Dodgers 5, Rockies 0
BOX SCORES

Tigers @ Mariners
Game 1: Mariners 4, Tigers 3
Game 2: Tigers 6, Mariners 1
Game 3: Tigers 3, Mariners 2
BOX SCORES



Standings & League Leaders
MLB Standings
American League Batting Leaders
American League Pitching Leaders
National League Batting Leaders
National League Pitching Leaders