MLB Recap: April 4th

Reds 8  Astros 2

The Reds are off to a 4-0 start in 2011 after a 8-2 win of the Astros Tuesday night. The win gave Cincinnati their best start in 21 years. The Reds got a very solid start out of last year's rookie phenom Mike Leake, who went 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 Astros. The Reds offense worked methodically, with only one extra base hit. Their biggest contribution came from right fielder Chris Heisey, who knocked in 3 runs. There were no home runs for either side in this one.

Cubs 6  Diamondbacks 5

The Cubs got a solid start out of Andrew Cashner through his 5.1 innings. The Cubs were holding a 4-1 lead at the time he was taken out, but the bullpen struggled. The game was tied at 4 heading into the bottom of the 7th when Marlon Byrd got an RBI double for the Cubs, then Tyler Colvin drew a bases loaded walk to give them a 6-4 advantage. Sean Marshall gave up a run for the Cubs, but still got the save. Tyler Colvin(1) hit a home run for the Cubs, while Ryan Roberts(1) hit one out for the D-Backs.

Padres 3 Giants 1

The defending World Champions San Francisco Giants fell to 1-4 after a 3-1 loss to San Diego on Tuesday. Giants starter Madison Bumgarner lasted only 3 innings, giving up 3 runs in the third inning and throwing 73 pitches on the day. The Giants bullpen was able to shut the Padres offense down for the rest of the game, but the offense couldn't capitalize and managed one measly run and one extra base hit. There were no home runs for the game.

Angels 5 Rays 3

The Red Sox aren't the only winless team through four games in the AL East. The Rays lost to the Angels on Tuesday to fall to 0-4. Angels starter Jered Weaver pitched 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on 3 hits and 6 strike outs. The offense, meanwhile, managed 5 runs in 6 innings off of Rays starter Jeff Niemann. The Angels had solid contributions throughout the lineup, getting a solo home run from Hank Conger(1). The Rays had home runs of the bats of Sean Rodriguez(1) and BJ Upton(1).

Twins 5 Yankees 4 F/10

The Yankees got a dominant performance out of their ace CC Sabathia, but couldn't stop the Twins rally and eventually fell to 3-2 for the year. The Yankees got a huge a 3-run homerun from Mark Teixeira, his fourth of the year. CC Sabathia gave up just 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6 during 7 shutout innings. Andruw Jones also hit a homer in his first at bat in Pinstripes. The Twins, however, were able to get a bases loaded walk from Joe Mauer, then a 3-RBI double from Delmon Young to tie it up. All four runs were scored off Rafael Soriano. The Twins winning run came from an RBI single from Joe Mauer off of Boone Logan.

Mets 7 Phillies 1

The Phillies showed a hole in their Super Rotation for the first time of 2011, as the Mets shelled starter Cole Hamels, the former World Series MVP. Hamels lasted just 2.2 innings, giving up all six runs in the third on 7 hits, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. The Mets got RBIs from many members of their lineup, with David Wright being the only guy with multiple, knocking in 2 in that 3rd inning. Chris Young gave up one run in 5.1 for the Mets, whose bullpen shut down the Phillies and gave them the comfortable victory, improving their record to 3-1.

Blue Jays 7  A's 6 F/10

The Blue Jays were able to win an exciting game on Tuesday, despite a shaky start from Jo-Jo Reyes. The Jays starter lasted just 3.1 innings, giving up 5 runs on 9 hits, a walk and 3 strikeouts. The bullpen, however, held Oakland scoreless until the 10th inning. After Toronto rallied in the 6th to tie it, the score didn't change and they were off to extra frames. In the top half of the 10th, Oakland's Josh Willingham hit his second home run of the year to give the team a one run lead. In the bottom of the inning, with Grant Balfour on the mound, Yunel Escobar(1) hit a walk-off, 2-run shot to give the Jays the victory.

Marlins 3 Nationals 2 F/10

Both teams got solid starts out of their pitchers and the game was locked at two after nine innings. Each teams had had solo home runs to add to their total, with Ryan Zimmerman(1) hitting one in the 3rd for the Nats, while to Fish got one off the bat of Logan Morrison(2) in the 3rd. After Washington went down in a 1-2-3 top of the 10th, the Marlins had their chance to win. The capitalized on that chance with a 2-out, bases loaded single by 3B Donnie Murphy to win the game.

Texas 3 Mariners 2

Texas was able to improve to a perfect 5-0, this time because of pitching rather than hitting. Alexi Ogando, the Rangers starter, pitched 6 shutout innings on 2 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. Nelson Cruz was unable to go deep for his 5th consecutive game. The Rangers gained the lead in the 2nd inning, and never had to look back again.

Royals 7 White Sox 6 F/12

This game probably would have been my lead game had I waited until it was over to start the game. The Royals improved to an unlikely 4-1 start after a wild win over Chicago on Tuesday. Neither team got spectacular starts from their pitchers, but Chicago's Gavin Floyd was able to last 7 innings, while Luke Hochevar went 6. After the Royals were able to tie the game at 6 in the 8th, the game was forced into extras. The 10th and 11th remained scoreless, and the White Sox failed to score in the top of the 12th. That opened the opportunity for Melky Cabrera to knock in the game winning run with a single. Paul Konerko(1) went deep for the White Sox, while Alex Gordon(1) and Billy Butler(2) went yard for KC.

Brewers 1 Braves 0

In by far the best performance of the day, Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo threw a complete game shutout over the Braves on Tuesday. He gave up just 2 hits, walked 2 and struck out 2. Gallardo became the first pitcher in Brewers history to throw a complete game shutout and score the games only run. In fact, that hadn't happened in baseball since the early 90s. The Braves will hope to soon forget this loss and avenge it tommorrow as the series continues.

Cardinals 3 Pirates 2

Pujols was able to have his first "big" game of the season, although it wasn't what we are accustomed to for an Albert Pujols big game. Coming into the day, Pujols had been held hitless in 2011 with runners in scoring position. Against the Pirates on Tuesday, he broke out of that slump, with two such hits and 2 RBIs to lead St Louis over Pittsburgh. The Cardinals got 6 solid innings out of starter Kyle McClellan. The Pirates were able to get a home run from Lyle Overbay(1).

Rockies 3 Dodgers 0

Behind a great performance from starter Jhoulys Chacin, the Rockies were able to earn a win over Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. Chacin went 7 shutout innings, yielding only 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. The Rockies scored one run in each of the 4th, 5th and 6th innings. In the fourth, Troy Tulowizki hit his first homer of the year, while in the 5th, Chris Ianetta did likewise. The Rockies got the save from closer Huston Street.