By Ron Kaplan, contributor
A pretty good night overall as every batter notched at least one hit.
Scott Feldman doesn’t count because he never had a chance to come to the plate. He allowed five runs in one inning as the Cincinnati Reds (39-53) lost to the host Washington Nationals, 6-1. He gave up five hits including a two-run homer and a solo shot, walked one, and struck out none. It was later revealed that Feldman (7-7) has been dealing with a knee issue all season so guess what? He was placed on the disabled list. So much for the opportunity to be picked up by a contending team as the trade deadline approaches.
Now the good news. Richard Bleier earned his second win as the Baltimore Orioles (43-49) beat the visiting Texas Rangers, 3-1. Bleier pitched one prefect inning but it came at the right time. Hat tip to Jack W., who points out that Bleier leads all AL pitchers with 30 or more innings in ERA (1.34) this season.
Ian Kinsler was the star hitter of the MOTs. He had two triples (3), a double (14) and an RBI to help the Detroit Tigers (42-49) crush the host KC Royals, 10-2. (Two triples in a 9-inning game is a rare feat; Kinsler is only the fourth player to accomplish it this season.) You gotta love the rumor mill: could it be that Kinsler will be returning to the Texas Rangers? If memory serves, he didn’t leave on such good terms.
Or maybe the trophy should go to Danny Valencia, who continues to impress. He hit a double (15) and homer (11) in the Seattle Mariners’ (47-47) 9-7, 10-inning win over the host Houston Astros. Valencia’s solo blast accounted for his team’s final run. He also made a nice play on a hot shot at first.
Alex Bregman did not hit a double, but he did have two hits for the Astros (62-31).
Kevin Pillar hit his 24th double in four at-bats as the Toronto Blue Jays (43-49) held off the host Boston Red Sox, 4-3. He also had an assist to nab a runner at the plate, his sixth of the season and one off the A.L. lead.
Ryan Braun was 1-for-5 as the Milwaukee Brewers (52-43) lost to the host Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2. Not to get too philosophical, but this headline caught my eye: “Brewers: Ryan Braun considered day-to-day for rest of season.” Aren’t we all really just day-to-day?
Joc Pederson and the LA Dodgers had the day off.
Craig Breslow remains on a Triple-A rehab assignment for the Minnesota Twins (47-45), who beat the visiting NY Yankees, 4-2.
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