Weather forced a few double-headers in the MLB yesterday, and in the case of the Reds and Mets, they began their day by resuming their contest from Saturday that was halted at a tie in the 6^th inning.

Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run Saturday and Brandon Phillips doubled in a run to leave the game tied at 1 before stoppage. Michael Lorenzen started the game for the Reds and pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run on 6 hits, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Matt Harvey took the hill for the Mets, tossing 6 complete innings of one-run ball, allowing 5 hits to go with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks. Neither starter would factor in the decision.

Both bullpens went to work on Sunday, as each team went 6 arms deep out of the pen. Reds SS Eugenio Suarez committed an error in the 13^th to load the bases, then Lucas Duda sliced a high-hopper that Joey Votto couldn't get a handle on, allowing the winning run to come across. The loss was pinned on Nate Adcock (0-1). Bobby Parnell got the win after working the 13^th for the Mets.

In Sunday's regularly scheduled contest, Mets starter Steven Matz made his big-league debut a memorable one. Matz held the Reds to 2 runs in 7.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6. Both runs came off solo HR's, as Brandon Phillips welcomed Matz to the majors with a leadoff home run and Todd Frazier hit his 25^th of the year in the 4^th.

Matz strong start might have been overshadowed by his contributions at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and driving in 4. Josh Smith took the loss for the Reds, going 5 innings, allowing 3 runs (one earned) on 4 hits, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts. The loss drops him to 0-1 in his two big league starts.

The Reds will head back to Cincinnati tonight to open a series with the Minnesota Twins. Hear it at 6:40pm on WMOA AM 1490.

What's worse than being shut out? Being shut out twice in the same day. That happened yesterday as the Tribe fell 4-0 and 8-0 in Baltimore.

Former Indian Ubaldo Jimenez threw 8 shutout innings in the first game, allowing 4 hits and striking out seven without issuing a walk. Jimenez improved to 7-3 and appears to be on pace to have just his second full season with a .500 record or better since his 19-8 year with Colorado in 2010.

Trevor Bauer fell to 6-5 with the loss, allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits in 7 innings. Bauer allowed two HR's in the loss, and now has given up 10 on the season. He struck out 5 and walked one, which if you're wanting to find a silver lining in the loss, Bauer's lone walk is comforting to see. He currently leads the American League in free passes with 42.

In game two, Chris Tillman(6-7) shut down the Tribe for 7 innings, allowing 4 hits with 6 K's. Toru Murata made his debut for Cleveland, lasting just 3.1 innings while giving up 4 hits (2 HRs), 5 runs (3 earned), to go with a pair of K's and a walk.

David Murphy went 4-4 for the Indians in the second game, accounting for half of their 8 hits.

The Indians will stay on the road, heading south to Tampa Bay. They'll open with the Rays tonight at 6:37pm on WJAW FM 100.9.
 

 

 

The Braves snapped a five game losing streak and avoided being swept by the Pirates as Alex Wood went 7.1 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and fanning 8 to improve to 5-5. Wood out-dueled fellow lefty Jeff Locke, who dropped to 4-4 in taking the loss. Locke allowed 5 hits and 1 run in 5 innings, striking out 5 and walking 3.

The Pirates, trailing 2-0 in the 9^th, scored against former Pirate closer Jason Grilli, who allowed a run, hit, and walk in the inning, but closed the door for his 21^st save. Jordy Mercer picked up the RBI by doubling Francisco Cervelli.

The Pirates will enjoy an off day Monday before heading to Detroit for the first of three against the Tigers.