Thursday was highlighted by a slew of solid pitching performances, which included the likes of a two-hit shutout and a pair of rubber matches.That two-hit shutout belonged to Texas starter Derek Holland, who turned in a masterful outing against the New York Yankees.
The shutout was the sixth of his career and the first since 2011, a year in which he turned in four complete-game shutouts.
Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza turned in a brilliant start of his own, working seven strong innings of one-run ball, striking out 10 batters in the 7-2 Cubs victory over the Brewers.
Below are the recaps and highlights from Thursday’s major league games.
Games in AL Stadiums
Kansas City 1, Minnesota 3
Samuel Deduno pitched a strong game, working seven innings of one run ball en route to a 3-1 victory in the first of a four game series at home against the Royals. Deduno has been solid for the Twins in his seven starts this season, working his way to a 4-2 record and 3.32 ERA in 43.1 innings.
Former-MVP Justin Morneau slugged two doubles and drove in a run in the Twins’ offensive effort, while Glen Perkins closed out the game in the ninth to register his 20th save of the season.
Toronto 4, Boston 7
Despite leaving the game in the eighth with what is being called a slightly jammed right hip, Boston’s Jon Lester turned in a solid start, retiring the first 10 batters he faced and not surrendering a hit until the fifth inning.
As for the offense, Dustin Pedroia led the charge with a two-run homer in the second, highlighting a seven-run inning for the Sox. Over his last seven games, Pedroia has batted .385 with 10 hits and five RBI.
Los Angeles 3, Detroit 1
Jered Weaver and Doug Fister turned in strong starts in Thursday’s rubber match between the Angels and Tigers, wherein both worked seven innings and surrendered just one run.
Following an RBI single by Brad Hawpe in the fourth, the game would remain tied at 1-1 until the top of the tenth, when Albert Pujols ripped a two-run double, to be followed by a Josh Hamilton sacrifice fly. The Angels would take a 3-1 lead, as Ernesto Frieri would close out the bottom of the tenth for his 19th save of the season.
Texas 2, New York 0
Texas starter Derek Holland was masterful on Thursday, tossing a complete-game shutout of the Yankees, the sixth of his career. Holland was efficient and effective, needing only 92 pitches to complete the gem, wherein he surrendered just two hits and struck out seven.
The offense was led by a solo shot by Jurickson Profar, the third of his career. Despite the loss, Yankees starter Phil Hughes turned in a solid effort, tossing eight innings of two-run ball, striking out five and walking just one.
Cleveland 3, Baltimore 7
Trailing Cleveland 3-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Orioles rallied with a five-run effort in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by a two-run double by Matt Wieters that scored both Nick Markakis and Chris Davis to give the Orioles the 7-3 lead and eventual victory.
With the win, the Orioles split the four-game series with the Indians, having won Tuesday’s contest by a score of 6-3.
Games in NL Stadiums
New York 3, Colorado 2
Marlon Byrd slugged a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the eighth to give the Mets a 3-2 lead and the eventual victory on the road in Colorado.
The Mets have now won seven of their last ten games, but still remain fourth in the NL East standings, 11 games behind the division leading Atlanta Braves.
Arizona 3, Washington 2
Patrick Corbin and Stephen Strasburg turned in solid outings, as they both worked seven innings and surrendered two runs before turning over the game to their respective bullpens.
The game would remain tied 2-2 until the top of the 11th when Arizona rookie shortstop Didi Gregorius dropped down a bunt single, scoring A.J. Pollock and giving the Diamondbacks the go-ahead lead and eventual victory, as Arizona avoided the three-game sweep by Washington.
Chicago 7, Milwaukee 2
Matt Garza turned in another strong outing, working seven innings of one-run ball and striking out 10 batters en route to his third victory of the season. In his last three starts, Garza has posted a 2-0 record and 0.82 ERA in 22.0 innings of work.
As for the offensive attack, Dioner Navarro led the charge with a three-run blast in the top of the third, his seventh of the season, as the Cubs would go on to put up seven total runs in support of Garza’s strong start.
