Let’s cut the formalities and get down to it.
Nelson Cruz cracks 2 more home runs, including a 3rd inning grand slam on his way to a 5 RBI day. Jorge Polanco and Josh Donaldson contribute 4 hits each as the Twins crush the Tigers 22-6.
In the first game of their double header, the Red Sox shut out the Rangers 2-0. Alex Verdugo provides the offense going 3-3 with both runs driven in. Ryan Weber pitches the first 6 innings giving up just 2 hits.
The Tigers get their revenge in the 2nd game, winning 4-2. Willie Calhoun hits his 10th home run and Alex Verdugo goes 3-4 to give him 6 hits on the day. He’s now hitting at a .319 clip.
The Yankees take 3 of 4 in Tampa as they shut out the Rays 3-0 today. All 3 runs coming by way of solo home runs. Giancarlo Stanton hits his 12th and Mike Tauchman hits numbers 7 and 8 on the year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. goes 3-5 with his 7th home run as the Blue Jays top the White Sox 4-1. Tanner Roark finally gets his first win going 8 1/3 giving up just 1 run. Dylan Cease fans 10 in the loss.
Mark Canha blasts 2 out of the park today in an Oakland 8-4 victory over the Mariners. The A’s must be paying close attention to the blog as they keep Khris Davis out of the lineup. Hey Billy Beane and David Forst, call me!
Joc Pederson won’t let Cody Bellinger get too far ahead as the home run leader. Joc belts out his 15th on the season. Mookie Betts drives in 3 and Justin Turner adds 4 hits as the Dodgers cruise by the Phillies 10-2. Clayton Kershaw strikes out 10 over 7 innings with both runs coming off of a home run by Andrew McCutchen. Kershaw is now 5-1 on the year.
Austin Slater, Mike Yastrzemski, Brandon Crawford and Yolmer Sanchez each drive in 3 runs as the Giants destroy the Rockies 15-3. Kevin Gausman picking up his 3rd win.
Omar Narvaez with a big 3-run blast in the Brewers’ 6-1 victory over the Reds. Brandon Woodruff gives up a Freddy Galvis solo shot over 7 1/3 innings to pick up his 2nd win.
Kole Calhoun hits his 8th home run and Ketel Marte adds a 4-5 3 RBI day as the Diamondbacks take this one over the Nationals 8-6.
Bringin up the rear, Yu Darvish picks up his 4th win today giving up just an Austin Hedges solo shot over 6 innings of work. Craig Kimbrel faces the final 6 batters giving up 1 hit while striking out 2 for his 8th save. Cubbies beat the Padres 3-1.
Transactionally speaking:
The White Sox officially put Luis Robert on the 60-day IL. He’ll have elbow surgery to remove a bone spur and is expected to be out for 3 months;
Shohei Ohtani finds his way back to the injured list, this time on the 15-day IL with a sprained knee and could miss 8 weeks; and finally
Tijuan Walker hits the 15-day IL with a strained back.
That’s your Thursday trip around the Diamond!
Nightly Unwind 