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The Juice returns for season No. 6! It's almost eligible for free-agency! Stop by daily for news from the action, along with great photos, stats, video highlights and more.
The legend of Yasiel Puig grows. In only his fifth major league game, the 22-year-old outfielder connected for his fourth home run — a game-tying solo shot off Paul Maholm in the sixth — to complete the home run cycle. Yes, less than a week into his career, he already has one of each. That makes for a remarkable, even historic stretch since he's only the second player since 1900 to homer four times in five games. The other was Mike Jacobs with the New York Mets in 2005.
Of course the most concern for Los Angeles was the fact they scratched out a run to get the game squared up. The team's then played three more scoreless innings leading into the 10th. That's where the Dodgers put runners at the corners against Anthony Varvaro. Skipper Don Mattingly then elected to pinch-run Skip Schumaker as the lead runner. That paid off almost immediately, as just a couple pitchers later Varvaro uncorked a wild pitch that original runner Ramon Hernandez would not have scored on, It squirted just far enough away for Schumaker to get in though, so the Dodgers stole it 2-1 in 10.
Cardinals gain separation in NL Central: The St. Louis Cardinals improved their major league best record to 40-21 with a commanding 9-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. They also extended their lead in the Central division to a season-high four games over both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh thanks to Adam Wainwright's seven outstanding innings. Wainwright now owns nearly one-quarter on their win total with nine.
Road woes continue for Cleveland: A matchup with Justin Verlander is rarely the cure for what ails you. That was proven to be true again on Friday night as the Tigers ace delivered seven workhorse type innings in Detroit's 7-5 victory over the struggling Cleveland Indians. To Cleveland's credit, they did get to Verlander in the fourth when they plated three. Unfortunately, their own starter, Ubaldo Jimenez, put them in a five-run hole early and that proved to be too much to completely overcome.
With the loss, Cleveland has now dropped nine in a row on the road and 13 of 17 overall.
Domo arigato, Nolan Arenado: Rockies rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado has caught fire this week and he continued his roll into a breakout game on Friday. And I'm not just talking about a breakout with the bat either, it was an all around breakout game that included three terrific, run-saving defensive plays that helped Colorado avoid blowing an early 8-2 lead. One play in particular saw Arenado dive to his left to spear Cameron Maybin's rocket one-hopper that was ticketed for left field.
In a game full of offensive fireworks, Arenado's stab was probably holding up as the highlight of the night right up until the ninth inning. That's when Arenado unseated himself with his first career walkoff home run off Padres left-hander Joe Thatcher. It was a no doubter, too, landing several rows deep in the left field seats to cap off a 10-9 win in regulation.
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An exhilarating win to be sure, but unfortunately for the Rockies it wasn't all good news. They're going to be a little short-handed in the outfield for at least a day or two as all-star candidates Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyers are both dealing with aches and pains. For Gonzalez, it's a strained left knee suffered on an awkward swing Friday night. Cuddyer injured his ribcage taking a tumble running the bases on Thursday. Day-to-day is the early word on both, though more official word is likely to come on Saturday.
MORE SCORES
Pirates 2, Cubs 0: Seven scoreless for Francisco Liriano as Pittsburgh throws their league best 10th shutout of season.
Blue Jays 6, Rangers 1: Four-run sixth helps Toronto notch their ninth win in 13 home games.
Marlins vs. Mets (ppd, rain): The game will be made up on Sept. 14 at Citi Field.
Angels vs. Red Sox (ppd, rain): Mother Nature wreaked all kinds of havoc on the east coast.
Twins vs. Nationals (ppd, rain): A day-night doubleheader is scheduled for Sunday.
Brewers 5, Phillies 4: Milwaukee is on to something playing in a dome. Aramis Ramirez delivers the walk-off winner.
A's 4, White Sox 3: Oakland gets a grand slam from Josh Donaldson — first of his career — and a home run-saving grab from Josh Reddick in the ninth.
Royals 4, Astros 2: James Shields can't buy a win. Royals will take theirs regardless.
Diamondbacks 3, Giants 1: Paul Goldschmidt gets Patrick Corbin (9-0) off the hook with a dramatic, go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth.
Mariners 4, Yankees 1: A winner is Jeremy Bonderman for the first time since Sept. 8, 2010.
''I haven't been hitting the ball well, so in that situation with no outs, I thought about it (bunting). I was going to give myself one pitch to strike it, and if that didn't work, then maybe try to lay down a bunt.''
Desmond Jennings after hitting a first-pitch, two-run homer in the seventh inning to help the Rays and rookie starter Chris Archer stun the Orioles, 2-1.
Desmond Jennings after hitting a first-pitch, two-run homer in the seventh inning to help the Rays and rookie starter Chris Archer stun the Orioles, 2-1.
• Paul Goldschmidt leads baseball with four go-ahead home runs in the 8th inning or later.
• One more Yaisel Puig note: According to Elias, his 10 RBIs tie the MLB record for the most through the first five games of a career. Jack Merson and Danny Espinosa share that record with him.
• Josh Donaldson's grand slam was Oakland's first this season. They had gone a league high 88 plate appearances without one.
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Follow @bigleaguestew, @Townie813, @AnswerDave and @MikeOz on Twitter
Also, check out the BLS Facebook Page