On Friday, we witnessed historic streaks progress and young starters continue to impress at the big league level.
Detroit’s Max Scherzer pitched his way to his 12th victory of the season, becoming the first pitcher in 27 years (since Roger Clemens did so in 1987) to win 12 consecutive decisions.
In Colorado, the Rockies’ Michael Cuddyer went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run to extend his hitting streak to 25 games, the longest such streak in the majors this season.
As for young pitching talent, the Pirate’s Gerrit Cole registered his fourth career victory in just his fourth career start, while Baltimore’s Kevin Gausman turned in a solid relief appearance to garner his first major league victory.
Below are the recaps and highlights from Friday’s major league games.
Games in AL Stadiums
Chicago 4, Seattle 5
While Seattle top prospect Brad Miller made his big league debut on Friday (going 0-for-3 with an RBI), the highlight of the game would be in the bottom of the tenth, as Mike Zunino ripped a single to center with the bases loaded, scoring Michael Saunders and capping the victory for the Mariners.
St. Louis 1, Oakland 6
The Oakland offense struck early, scoring five runs in the second that was highlighted by Seth Smith‘s two-run single. However, the spotlight should be given to Bartolo Colon, who pitched eight strong innings of one-run ball to pick up his eighth straight victory and his 11th of the season.
Los Angeles 4, Houston 2
Coming into the ninth, the Angels held onto a 2-1 lead, which would be extended on a two-run single by Erick Aybar in the top of the frame. Despite a strong seven inning performance by Bud Norris and a Matt Dominguez sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth, the Astros would fall just short on Friday.
Kansas City 9, Minnesota 3
The Royals slugged a season-high four home runs on Friday, as Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas each contributed a homer, while Eric Hosmer slugged a pair of bombs in Kansas City’s victorious nine-run effort against the Twins.
Cincinnati 0, Texas 4
Following Derek Holland‘s masterful performance on Thursday, the Rangers followed up with another shutout, as Martin Perez helped lead the Rangers in their effort by contributing six scoreless innings. Cincinnati starter Johnny Cueto would leave after the first inning with what has been diagnosed as right lat tightness and is currently listed as day-to-day.
Detroit 6, Tampa Bay 3
Max Scherzer pitched his way to his 12th victory of the season, improving his record to a perfect 12-0, the first pitcher to start the season with 12 consecutive decisions since Roger Clemens in 1987 (who would go on to extend that streak to 14-0). Scherzer pitched seven innings and struck out nine, wherein he has now struck out at least six batters in all 16 of his starts this season.
Toronto 5, Boston 7
After jumping out to a 5-0 lead, the Red Sox would surrender five runs between the fifth and seventh innings to Toronto. However, a two-run bottom of the seventh led by a Jonny Gomes RBI single would propel Boston to the eventual 7-5 victory.
New York 3, Baltimore 4
Kevin Gausman, in his first appearance since receiving his second call-up of the season, registered his first career victory, although it came in a relief appearance. Gausman turned in 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, surrendering just four hits and striking out four, as the Orioles charged back from an 0-3 deficit to defeat the Yankees by a score of 4-3 on Friday.
Cleveland 19, Chicago 10 (Game 1)
All nine players in the Cleveland lineup registered at least one hit, four of whom were able to grab three hits in the 21 hit, 19 run barrage against the White Sox in game one of Friday’s doubleheader. Ryan Raeburn led the charge with four RBI, while Jason Kipnis with three doubles and two RBI of his own.
Cleveland 9, Chicago 8 (Game 2)
Much like the first game of Friday’s doubleheader between the Indians and White Sox, 17 more runs were scored between the two clubs. Down 8-5 heading into the ninth, the Indians rallied back to score four in the top of the frame (capped by Nick Swisher‘s solo shot) to sweep both games of the doubleheader.
Games in NL Stadiums
Philadelphia 16, Los Angeles 1
The Phillies steamrolled the Dodgers in a 16 run, 21 hit effort that was highlighted by Delmon Young‘s career-high six RBI performance, all of which helped aid in John Lannan‘s first victory as a member of the Philadelphia squad. With the win, the Phillies break the Dodgers’ season-high six-game winning streak.
San Francisco 1, Colorado 4
Michael Cuddyer extended his hitting streak to 25 games on Friday, doing so on a two-run homer in the third to give the Rockies a 3-0 lead at the time. Despite a solo shot by former-MVP Buster Posey in the ninth, Colorado would hang on to win by a score of 4-1, behind the valiant effort of starter Jhoulys Chaci, who worked eight scoreless innings and surrendered just three hits for his seventh victory of the season.
Arizona 0, Atlanta 3
Julio Teheran was masterful against the Diamondbacks on Friday, tossing six scoreless innings and striking out 10 batters in the process en route to his sixth victory of the season. While Arizona was held to just four hits, the Braves’ bats combined for 11 hits, highlighted by Andrelton Simmons‘ solo shot in the fifth.
San Diego 9, Miami 2
The Padres, led by Logan Forsythe‘s two-run homer in the third, teed off against Miami starter Ricky Nolasco as he surrendered six runs on 11 hits over five innings of work. While Forsythe enjoyed a 3-for-4 day at the plate, San Diego right fielder Will Venable had a solid day of his own, going 3-for-5 with three RBI in the nine-run effort put up by the Padres on Friday.
Washington 6, New York 4
New York Mets ace Matt Harvey was once again dominant on Friday, pitching seven innings of one run ball and striking out 11 batters while surrendering no walks. However, the Mets’ bullpen would falter, as the Nationals rallied for three runs in the eighth and two in the ninth (led by Ryan Zimmerman‘s three-run, bases clearing double in the eighth) to claim the victory by a score of 6-4.
Milwaukee 3, Pittsburgh 10
Pittsburgh top pitching prospect Gerrit Cole is now a perfect 4-0 to start his career, as the young hurler garnered his fourth win in as many starts on Friday, a six inning performance that helped aid in a 10-3 rout of the Brewers. Neil Walker, Starling Marte, and Andrew McCutchen each had at least two RBI, as they combined to account for seven runs, which was capped by McCutchen’s solo shot in the eighth.
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