MLB
Friday, July 24
Chance of rain at Fenway Park Friday
According to weather forecasts, there is a 43 percent chance of rain at Fenway Park as the Boston Red Sox host the Detroit Tigers Friday evening.
The chance of rain dips to around 15 percent later in the evening, but showers are in the forecast before the scheduled start time.
Rick Porcello is slated to start for the Sox (-133) while Justin Verlander is probable for the Tigers (+123).
D-backs RHP Godley enjoys historic debut
Right-hander Zack Godley was predictably pumped for his first major league start Thursday.
"One hundred percent," Godley said. "It's hard not to be."
However, Godley said some advice from Hall of Famer Tony La Russa helped him combat the nerves and adrenaline.
"He said you know you are going to have nerves," Godley said. "Everyone does. It's just being able to take a deep breath and settle in and throw strikes."
Godley listened so well that he made major league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Godley, 25, pitched six scoreless innings in his major league debut, an 8-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, and he struck out seven without walking a batter. He is the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to hit those numbers in his major league debut, according to Elias.
Escobar inches closer to return for Nationals
PITTSBURGH -- Washington Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar got good medical news Thursday, just not good enough to get back into the lineup.
Escobar underwent a CT scan on his left wrist and hand and no damage was found. However, he sat out Thursday night's 7-3 loss at Pittsburgh and may be limited to being a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch runner for a least a few days.
In Wednesday's win over the visiting New York Mets, Escobar left in the second inning when he hurt his wrist and hand on a check swing and couldn't grip the bat well on the next pitch, which he fouled off.
Escobar is hitting .321 with five home runs in 84 games this season. He wears a pad on his hand as protection after being hit on it a handful of times this season.
Pirates bring back old friend in Ramirez
PITTSBURGH -- Exactly 12 years and one day after giving Aramis Ramirez away to the Chicago Cubs while under financial duress, the Pirates got the 38-year-old third baseman back Thursday night in a bid to make the postseason for a third consecutive season.
The banged-up Pirates acquired Ramirez and cash considerations in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers for Triple-A Indianapolis right-handed reliever Yhonathan Barrios.
Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Shortstop Jordy Mercer is also not expected back until September after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sunday in a game at Milwaukee.
Santana boosting Twins rotation
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Minnesota Twins did not need to make a trade to invigorate their pitching staff this month.
Right-hander Ervin Santana won his second successive game while extending his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 16 on Thursday with a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Since returning July 5 from an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, Santana compiled a 2-0 record with a 2.60 ERA, the best among the Twins' starters. In four starts spanning 27 2/3 innings, Santana has conceded just 20 hits and seven walks while striking out 21.
"Three out of his four starts were outstanding," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "It's a nice lift to get a talented guy like that with his make-up and his personality to come back to your club."
Against the Angels on Thursday, Santana conceded only four hits and a hit batter while striking out seven as he won his 300th career start.
Greinke's paternity leave muddles Dodgers' plans
NEW YORK -- With right-hander Zack Greinke scratched from Friday's start due to the impending birth of his child, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly hoped that left-hander Clayton Kershaw could prepare the Dodgers for a likely "bullpen day" on Friday by throwing six or seven innings in his start Thursday night.
Kershaw did that and plenty more, throwing a three-hit shutout in the Dodgers' 3-0 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field. It was the 19th time in 20 starts this season he lasted at least six innings, the sixth straight time he threw at least seven innings and the 12th time overall he pitched seven-plus innings.
"Kind of count on him being able to do six to seven pretty solidly, and we were hoping to get seven to eight out of him tonight and then leave those guys alone out there," Mattingly said. "And we were able to do it."
As a result, Mattingly will have a full and fully rested bullpen Friday, when left-hander Ian Thomas makes his first major league start. It almost surely will be a short outing for Thomas, who hasn't pitched since July 7 and has never thrown more than three innings in a major league game.
The Dodgers may be mixing and matching within their rotation throughout the four-game series against the Mets, which concludes Sunday. Mattingly said Thursday afternoon he hopes Greinke, who called the manager at 5 a.m. Thursday to tell him he was flying home to Los Angeles to be with his wife, can come back and pitch either Saturday or Sunday. The Dodgers do not have a listed starter for either day.
The Sunday turn normally would be taken by left-hander Brett Anderson, who left his Tuesday start due to a sore left Achilles tendon. He threw on flat ground Thursday and will throw a bullpen session Friday before the Dodgers decide if he is a candidate to start Sunday.
"Lots of plans right now, lots of plans," Mattingly said with a grin Thursday afternoon. "Had lots of plans before this happened. This is an added plan."
Indians' Bauer trying to 'figure it out'
CLEVELAND -- What began as a great start to the 2015 season by Trevor Bauer has slowly slipped into a three-month malaise.
Bauer had an odd pitching line in his 8-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. In six innings, he struck out nine and only walked two. Bauer also gave up six runs on six hits, three of them home runs. At one point in the game, from the fourth through the sixth innings, 12 of the 14 batters Bauer faced either struck out or got a hit.
It's been an inconsistent year for Bauer, who at times can be dominating, but at other times can be wildly inconsistent. In four starts in the month of April, Bauer was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. But in 15 starts since then he is 6-7 with a 4.98 ERA.
In four starts in the month of July, Bauer is 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA. His start Thursday against the White Sox was like many of his starts this season: bursts of untouchability followed by stretches when he struggles to limit the damage.
Mets optimistic Cuddyer can return soon
NEW YORK -- The 23rd day of the Michael Cuddyer Watch went a lot like the first 22. There were mixed signals sent by the New York Mets, Cuddyer didn't play, and the team didn't score a lot of runs.
Or any runs, for that matter.
Cuddyer, who has been battling a sore knee since June 30, remained on the bench Thursday, when Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw went the distance and allowed just three hits in a 3-0 win at Citi Field. It was the eighth "DNP" of the month for Cuddyer and the 12th time in 18 July games he didn't start.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said before the game that Cuddyer was feeling lightheaded from the anti-inflammatory medication he was taking and hinted strongly that Cuddyer would be placed on the disabled list by Friday.
Cardinals' Rosenthal thrives amid heavy usage
ST. LOUIS -- Scott Boras put the St. Louis Cardinals on notice during the All-Star break regarding their usage of closer Trevor Rosenthal, but the memo from baseball's most prominent agent must not have made it to manager Mike Matheny.
Appearing for the 45th time in 95 games this year -- and the third time in as many nights -- Rosenthal needed 25 pitches to escape the ninth inning Thursday and preserve St. Louis' 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals for his 30th save.
After taking three days off following a 33-pitch ninth inning Friday night in a save against the New York Mets, Rosenthal was more efficient in saves Tuesday and Wednesday night at the Chicago White Sox.
Matheny cited Rosenthal's brevity Wednesday night, when he used only 10 pitches, as a reason why he let him work a third straight game.
Friday, July 24
Chance of rain at Fenway Park Friday
According to weather forecasts, there is a 43 percent chance of rain at Fenway Park as the Boston Red Sox host the Detroit Tigers Friday evening.
The chance of rain dips to around 15 percent later in the evening, but showers are in the forecast before the scheduled start time.
Rick Porcello is slated to start for the Sox (-133) while Justin Verlander is probable for the Tigers (+123).
D-backs RHP Godley enjoys historic debut
Right-hander Zack Godley was predictably pumped for his first major league start Thursday.
"One hundred percent," Godley said. "It's hard not to be."
However, Godley said some advice from Hall of Famer Tony La Russa helped him combat the nerves and adrenaline.
"He said you know you are going to have nerves," Godley said. "Everyone does. It's just being able to take a deep breath and settle in and throw strikes."
Godley listened so well that he made major league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Godley, 25, pitched six scoreless innings in his major league debut, an 8-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, and he struck out seven without walking a batter. He is the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to hit those numbers in his major league debut, according to Elias.
Escobar inches closer to return for Nationals
PITTSBURGH -- Washington Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar got good medical news Thursday, just not good enough to get back into the lineup.
Escobar underwent a CT scan on his left wrist and hand and no damage was found. However, he sat out Thursday night's 7-3 loss at Pittsburgh and may be limited to being a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch runner for a least a few days.
In Wednesday's win over the visiting New York Mets, Escobar left in the second inning when he hurt his wrist and hand on a check swing and couldn't grip the bat well on the next pitch, which he fouled off.
Escobar is hitting .321 with five home runs in 84 games this season. He wears a pad on his hand as protection after being hit on it a handful of times this season.
Pirates bring back old friend in Ramirez
PITTSBURGH -- Exactly 12 years and one day after giving Aramis Ramirez away to the Chicago Cubs while under financial duress, the Pirates got the 38-year-old third baseman back Thursday night in a bid to make the postseason for a third consecutive season.
The banged-up Pirates acquired Ramirez and cash considerations in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers for Triple-A Indianapolis right-handed reliever Yhonathan Barrios.
Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Shortstop Jordy Mercer is also not expected back until September after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sunday in a game at Milwaukee.
Santana boosting Twins rotation
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Minnesota Twins did not need to make a trade to invigorate their pitching staff this month.
Right-hander Ervin Santana won his second successive game while extending his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 16 on Thursday with a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Since returning July 5 from an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, Santana compiled a 2-0 record with a 2.60 ERA, the best among the Twins' starters. In four starts spanning 27 2/3 innings, Santana has conceded just 20 hits and seven walks while striking out 21.
"Three out of his four starts were outstanding," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "It's a nice lift to get a talented guy like that with his make-up and his personality to come back to your club."
Against the Angels on Thursday, Santana conceded only four hits and a hit batter while striking out seven as he won his 300th career start.
Greinke's paternity leave muddles Dodgers' plans
NEW YORK -- With right-hander Zack Greinke scratched from Friday's start due to the impending birth of his child, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly hoped that left-hander Clayton Kershaw could prepare the Dodgers for a likely "bullpen day" on Friday by throwing six or seven innings in his start Thursday night.
Kershaw did that and plenty more, throwing a three-hit shutout in the Dodgers' 3-0 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field. It was the 19th time in 20 starts this season he lasted at least six innings, the sixth straight time he threw at least seven innings and the 12th time overall he pitched seven-plus innings.
"Kind of count on him being able to do six to seven pretty solidly, and we were hoping to get seven to eight out of him tonight and then leave those guys alone out there," Mattingly said. "And we were able to do it."
As a result, Mattingly will have a full and fully rested bullpen Friday, when left-hander Ian Thomas makes his first major league start. It almost surely will be a short outing for Thomas, who hasn't pitched since July 7 and has never thrown more than three innings in a major league game.
The Dodgers may be mixing and matching within their rotation throughout the four-game series against the Mets, which concludes Sunday. Mattingly said Thursday afternoon he hopes Greinke, who called the manager at 5 a.m. Thursday to tell him he was flying home to Los Angeles to be with his wife, can come back and pitch either Saturday or Sunday. The Dodgers do not have a listed starter for either day.
The Sunday turn normally would be taken by left-hander Brett Anderson, who left his Tuesday start due to a sore left Achilles tendon. He threw on flat ground Thursday and will throw a bullpen session Friday before the Dodgers decide if he is a candidate to start Sunday.
"Lots of plans right now, lots of plans," Mattingly said with a grin Thursday afternoon. "Had lots of plans before this happened. This is an added plan."
Indians' Bauer trying to 'figure it out'
CLEVELAND -- What began as a great start to the 2015 season by Trevor Bauer has slowly slipped into a three-month malaise.
Bauer had an odd pitching line in his 8-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. In six innings, he struck out nine and only walked two. Bauer also gave up six runs on six hits, three of them home runs. At one point in the game, from the fourth through the sixth innings, 12 of the 14 batters Bauer faced either struck out or got a hit.
It's been an inconsistent year for Bauer, who at times can be dominating, but at other times can be wildly inconsistent. In four starts in the month of April, Bauer was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. But in 15 starts since then he is 6-7 with a 4.98 ERA.
In four starts in the month of July, Bauer is 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA. His start Thursday against the White Sox was like many of his starts this season: bursts of untouchability followed by stretches when he struggles to limit the damage.
Mets optimistic Cuddyer can return soon
NEW YORK -- The 23rd day of the Michael Cuddyer Watch went a lot like the first 22. There were mixed signals sent by the New York Mets, Cuddyer didn't play, and the team didn't score a lot of runs.
Or any runs, for that matter.
Cuddyer, who has been battling a sore knee since June 30, remained on the bench Thursday, when Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw went the distance and allowed just three hits in a 3-0 win at Citi Field. It was the eighth "DNP" of the month for Cuddyer and the 12th time in 18 July games he didn't start.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said before the game that Cuddyer was feeling lightheaded from the anti-inflammatory medication he was taking and hinted strongly that Cuddyer would be placed on the disabled list by Friday.
Cardinals' Rosenthal thrives amid heavy usage
ST. LOUIS -- Scott Boras put the St. Louis Cardinals on notice during the All-Star break regarding their usage of closer Trevor Rosenthal, but the memo from baseball's most prominent agent must not have made it to manager Mike Matheny.
Appearing for the 45th time in 95 games this year -- and the third time in as many nights -- Rosenthal needed 25 pitches to escape the ninth inning Thursday and preserve St. Louis' 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals for his 30th save.
After taking three days off following a 33-pitch ninth inning Friday night in a save against the New York Mets, Rosenthal was more efficient in saves Tuesday and Wednesday night at the Chicago White Sox.
Matheny cited Rosenthal's brevity Wednesday night, when he used only 10 pitches, as a reason why he let him work a third straight game.
