By Ron Kaplan, contributor
Dropping Kevin Pillar in the batting order seems to be working, for now. The Toronto Blue Jays outfielder had five hits over the weekend, including his 19th double and ninth home run. But all that didn’t prevent the Jays (36-39) from dropping two of three to the host KC Royals. Summing up: Pillar had five hits in 13 at-bats (he was even better when you throw out his 0-for-3 performance in the series opener) with three runs scored, one RBI, and two walks. His batting average over the last seven games is a nice .308.
Joc Pederson also had a nice weekend. He hit his sixth home run on Saturday and was 3-for-4 with two doubles yesterday as the LA Dodgers (51-26) swept their series against the visiting Colorado Rockies to extend their winning streak to 10 and take a two-and-a-half game lead in the NL West. Could he be “turning a corner?” We’ve been teased like this before.
Alex Bregman was just 2-for-11 over the weekend, but one of those hits was his eighth home run of the season. It didn’t prevent the host Seattle Mariners (39-39) from putting a 13-3 hurt on the Houston Astros on Friday. The ‘Stros (52-25) won the next two contests though, so all is well. Could a trade be in his immediate future?
Danny Valencia had two RBI in that drubbing, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and … that was it; he did not appear in the other two games, due to a sore wrist.
Ian Kinsler had just one hit — his 12th double — in 11 at bats, and it came in the only win the Detroit Tigers (33-42) could muster against the host San Diego Padres. His lone run proved to be the game-winner as the Tigers scored twice in the ninth for a 7-5 victory.
We got the “good” Scott Feldman this weekend: he allowed two runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts in beating the host Washington Nationals, 6-2. The Reds (31-43) scored five in the first while Feldman (6-5) quelled a Nationals threat by fanning Anthony Rendon with two down and runners on second and third in the opening frame.
Richard Bleier made one appearance for the Baltimore Orioles (37-38), who took two of three from the host Tampa Bay Rays. He threw one inning of scoreless relief in yesterday’s 8-5 win, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Craig Breslow did not appear in any games for the Minnesota Twins (39-34), who swept the host Cleveland Indians. (Kind of odd how both the Indians and Cubs are struggling so much after appearing in the World Series last year.) Is Father Time catching up with Breslow?
Ryan Braun is on his rehab tour. So far, so good. And good again.
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