By Ron Kaplan, contributor
A good night for batters; for pitchers, not so much.
The LA Dodgers (48-26) had just six hits against the visiting NY Mets, but three of then went for home runs, including one by Joc Pederson, his fifth of the year. It came as he led off the seventh inning and proved to be the game-winner, breaking a 3-3 tie. He came into the game as a defensive replacement and went 2-for-2 at the plate. He was also caught stealing for the third time.
The other Jewish homer came off the bat of Ian Kinsler, though not in the first inning. His eighth of the year came in the third to put the Detroit Tigers (32-40) on the scoreboard and was one of his two hits on the evening. The solo blast was also his third four-bagger in as many games. Kinsler also drove in another run, giving him 19. The Tigers continue to founder, however, losing to the host Seattle Mariners (38-37), 9-6, with Kinsler striking out to end the game. They have now lost six in a row and eight of their last 11 to fall into last place in the AL Central. Danny Valencia reached base in all four of his plate appearances: two singles and two walks. He also scored a run. Seattle moved over the .500 mark for the first time in 2017.
The Toronto Blue Jays (35-37) dropped Kevin Pillar from the leadoff spot to sixth in the lineup. He responded with a single and his 18th double in four at bats, but the Jays lost to the host Texas Rangers, 11-4.
Alex Bregman was 0-for-5 but the Houston Astros continue to roll, besting the host Oakland A’s, 12-9, tp become the first team in the Majors to win 50 games this season (50-24).
Craig Breslow allowed six hits (including a home run) and two runs in 2.2 innings as the Minnesota Twins (36-34) were shut out by the visiting Chicago White Sox, 9-0. On the bright side, he struck out three.
Richard Bleier also gave up a long ball, one of three hits he allowed in 1.2 innings to go along with a walk as the Baltimore Orioles (35-37) lost to the visiting Cleveland Indians, 6-3.
The Cincinnati Reds had the night off. Scott Feldman‘s next scheduled start is Sunday against the Nationals in Washington.
Ryan Braun is expected to make his first rehab start tonight.
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