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| Pirates won't go away. (Getty Images) |
The Braves had their winning streak halted in a shellacking by the Giants, the Reds look to start a new winning streak and the Nationals won in dramatic fashion yet again. Over in the AL, the Angels dismantled the Tigers, the White Sox got back on track and the Rays evened the series against the Indians. And there was much more ...
Full Tuesday scoreboard with recaps and box scores for every game
3 UP
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: I gave him significant hype in Kansas City last week for the All-Star Game, but he's continuing to make a case for the best player in baseball. In a Pirates victory Tuesday night over the Rockies, McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a mammoth home run. He's now hitting .374/.426/.657 on the season. That's a stupid line for mid-July. And the Pirates are 50-40.
Mariners offense: For the second consecutive night, the Mariners scored nine runs. It was easy to ignore Monday, when they lit the maligned Jonathan Sanchez up. But two nights in a row has to give the offensively-challenged Mariners a spot here. The M's pounded out 14 hits, which included four doubles, a triple and two homers, en route to a 9-6 victory over the Royals.
Yonder Alonso, Padres: I'm not going to do something foolish like claim a 25-year-old future power hitter had a "career day," but Alonso had one of the bigger games of his young career Tuesday evening. In an 8-2 Padres victory, Alonso went 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two runs and three RBI.
3 DOWN
Tigers' offense: I guess this is kind of an "up," in a way, because it's a badge of honor this streak lasted so long. Tuesday night, the Tigers were shut out for the first time in 158 games, a streak that lasted literal calendar year. If it was going to happen, this was the time to do so, as they lost 13-0 to the Angels. Might as well save those bullets for next game. So it bears mention, but I don't think the Tigers are exactly losing sleep over it.
Jon Lester, Red Sox: The Red Sox continue to linger around the playoff picture (one game out of second wild card) while trying to get healthy -- only to see more guys go down. But they're never going to break through if the starting pitching staff doesn't pick it up. It has to start with Lester, who, after another bad outing, is now 5-7 with a 4.80 ERA. Tuesday, he only worked four innings against the White Sox, allowing seven hits and six earned runs. It's glaring at this point, he is the biggest problem they have.
Pedro Beato, Mets:This had to be a rough one to swallow for the Mets. They scored three in the top of the ninth to take a 3-2 lead on the Nationals. The Nats then tied it. The Mets scored in the top of the 10th. The Nats then tied it -- on a Bryce Harper triple. Later, with the bases loaded and two out, Beato came on to face Tyler Moore. Beato threw a wild pitch, which amounted to a walk-off wild pitch in the loss. And then there's this:
Pedro Beato said Thole should have caught the ball 2x in about 1 minute. True or not, that's not exactly classy. Teammates hate that stuff.
— Andy Martino (@SurfingTheMets) July 18, 2012
Also, the Mets have lost five in a row.
Battle of big-time lefties: Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee (1-6, 3.92) hasn't had a very good season, but doubt him at your peril. The ability to dominate is still in there. As his opposition, the Dodgers will run out 2011 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw (7-5, 2.84). It's a battle between two of baseball's premier left-handers in Chavez Ravine. 3:10 p.m. ET
Angels-Tigers, Take 3: The Tigers got the first game of the series, but then Angels throttled Detroit, 13-0. Wednesday, the two playoff hopefuls square off in the third game of a four-game set. It'll be Doug Fister (3-6, 4.39) for the home Tigers against C.J. Wilson (9-5, 2.43) and the visiting Angels. 7:05 p.m. ET
More ninth-inning drama? Monday night, the Cardinals beat the Brewers after a three-run ninth inning. It cost Brewers closer John Axford his job. Tuesday, new Brewers closer Francisco Rodriguez entered with a one-run lead. Before he knew it, the Cardinals had runners on first and third with nobody out. But he eventually got out of it, so it's been one dramatic win each for the Brewers and Cardinals in this NLCS rematch. Hopefully they treat us to more of the same in the rubber game Wednesday. Adam Wainwright (7-9, 4.62) gets the ball for St. Louis, while the Brewers will trot out Tyler Thornburg (0-0, 7.36). 2:10 p.m. ET
Wednesday's probable pitchers
• Competitive balance draft lottery: In the 2013 MLB Draft, there will be six extra selections at the end of the first round -- which includes compensation picks. Those selections will be given to small-market/low-revenue clubs. Wednesday, there will be a lottery to see which teams will get a pick. Six clubs will be chosen from this group: Diamondbacks, Orioles, Indians, Royals, Athletics, Pirates, Padres, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Brewers and Cardinals. MLB.com has the full details.
• Jeter unanimous selection to Hall? I remember thinking that Cal Ripken would be a unanimous selection into baseball's Hall of Fame. Then I thought Rickey Henderson had a shot. I mean, who could possibly think Henderson is not a Hall of Famer -- even those who think there's a distinction between "first-ballot" Hall of Famers and everyone else? But it's never happened before. Kckansan.com takes a look on whether or not Derek Jeter will be unanimously voted in. Let me help: No, he won't. No one ever will. And it doesn't matter. A Hall of Famer is a Hall of Famer. In fact, why do we give attention to the writers who don't vote for certain obvious Hall of Famers? It would seem to me the lack of a vote is a cry for attention, so just ignore it.
• Rough start: Shaq Green-Thompson is an 18-year-old center fielder for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in rookie ball. He was drafted in the 18th round in this past MLB Draft. Through his first 11 games, Green-Thompson is 0-for-32 with 31 strikeouts. On the plus side, he does have seven walks, one RBI and a stolen base. Still, ouch. (Via my colleague Dayn Perry)
• He Hate Me prequel: Back in 1976, the Braves had nicknames on the backs of their uniforms. I feel like it's kind of awesome initially -- or maybe for a select game? -- but the novelty would wear off quickly, much like the entire XFL. Anyway, Uni Watch has some of the details on this experiment.
• 25 "amazingly bizarre" logos from the minors: Design Shack has done the gathering and it's worth a look for entertainment purposes. I think I'll go with the Richmond Flying Squirrels as my favorite, but there are so many good ones in there. The Savannah Sand Gnats logo is very strong, possibly my second-favorite.
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