Stats, LLC
DETROIT -- Jim Adduci is either causing Detroit a problem or providing the Tigers with a solution.
Adduci, who turns 32 on May 15, has been swinging a hot bat in the week's worth of games he has played since Detroit called him up after center fielder JaCoby Jones took a pitch to the face April 22.
His RBI double to left-center played a key part in Detroit's four-run fourth inning Sunday in a 7-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. His left-handed bat means he is likely to be in right field again Monday when right-hander Trevor Bauer (2-2, 6.26 ERA) pitches for Cleveland in the opener of a four-game series against the Tigers at Comerica Park.
Adduci is hitting .400 through seven games with the Tigers.
It would seem Adduci will survive the cut when first baseman Miguel Cabrera returns from the disabled list on Tuesday. Catcher/first baseman John Hicks, hitting .423 in his seven games with the Tigers, is a leading candidate to be returned to the minors.
Jones is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. And while the Tigers say they sent him there just to deal with the fear factor that can follow taking a pitch to the head, it is likely they will keep him there to deal with the pitch-recognition problems that were plaguing him just before he got hurt.
When Detroit does determine Jones and his excellent center field skills are needed, someone will have to go. That will also be the case when J.D. Martinez, on the disabled list since spring training with a Lisfranc strain in his right foot, returns to action sometime around mid-May.
Adduci spent the last two seasons in South Korea, where he hit .314 with 28 home runs and 106 RBIs two years ago and .256 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs for three teams last year.
"Try to stay in the moment," Adduci said Sunday of what he learned overseas. "The important thing is today."
The Tigers have a young, up-and-down left-hander, Daniel Norris, starting Monday night against the Indians.
Norris threw six innings of two-hit shutout ball three starts ago, but the southpaw's two starts since were not good. The two losses dropped him to 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA.
Cleveland has yet to beat Norris. In four career starts against the Indians, he is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA.
Bauer has had trouble with Detroit in the past, losing his only decision to the Tigers this year. Overall, he is 4-4 with a 7.24 ERA against the Tigers.
Cleveland finished 14-10 in April, the first time in five years the Indians posted a winning mark in the first true month of the season.
"Our mindset is to win every series and be one run better than the other team in every game," said Cleveland's winning pitcher Sunday, Josh Tomlin. "We're getting into that groove now as a team.
"You always want to have a winning record in every month. This bodes well for us going into May. Hopefully we can keep it going."
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor added, "April is about surviving. You don't want to fall too far behind. We've been playing awesome. Now we want to build off this month and see where it takes us."
Cleveland manager Terry Francona has been careful in his use of right-handed closer Cody Allen and left-handed setup man Andrew Miller, although he says he isn't overly worried about their arduous 2016 postseason.
"It's nice to see them kind of hit the ground running," Francona said, "but I wasn't maybe as concerned as other people were about that. It's not that I don't care. I just think the way they work and their talent, I think they're going to be just fine."
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Monday, May 1, 2017
Orioles, Red Sox talk down beanball carryover
Stats, LLC
BOSTON -- Will there be a beanfest in Beantown?
That is the big question ahead of the Baltimore Orioles' visit to Fenway Park for a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox that opens Monday night.
The drama began April 21 in Baltimore, when Orioles third baseman Manny Machado spiked Boston's Dustin Pedroia on an eighth-inning slide at second base.
Pedroia said he didn't think the play was dirty, but that wasn't good enough for Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes, who buzzed Machado's head with a pitch in the April 23 series finale.
Barnes was ejected and suspended four games for the incident, and Pedroia has since spoken spoke out against the ill-advised head-hunting.
Pedroia missed three games with left knee and ankle injuries that stemmed from the play, and Barnes returned from his suspension Sunday night to earn a win against the Chicago Cubs.
Don't expect either side to be particularly keen to talk about last weekend's events. Boston's Hanley Ramirez, for one, has already moved on.
"OK, no more talking about what happened in Baltimore. It's over," Ramirez said in the aftermath last week. "We're ready to play baseball out there and keep winning."
Any retaliation from Baltimore could begin with right-hander Dylan Bundy (3-1, 1.65 ERA), who also started the game in which Machado injured Pedroia.
But for now, he is playing coy.
"I don't have any thoughts about it," Bundy said in New York on Sunday. "To me, that's blown over. We're playing baseball now. We try not to worry about stuff that we can't control, so we're just going to go in there and look to win."
Bundy held Boston scoreless on six hits and a walk while fanning three over seven innings in the Orioles' 2-0 victory on April 21.
His first start against the Red Sox this season didn't go as well. On April 11, he surrendered three runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in a 6 1/3-inning defeat at Fenway.
Bundy is 2-3 with a 4.76 ERA in nine career outings (five starts) versus Boston. He is 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA in five prior appearances (two starts) at Fenway.
He coughed up two solo home runs in a 6 1/3-inning no-decision against the Tampa Bay Rays last Wednesday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out three.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter considered pushing Bundy back until Tuesday, but said in New York on Saturday that he decided to start him Monday.
Pedroia is 6-for-15 (.400) with three RBIs lifetime against Bundy. Mookie Betts (5-for-15, .333) has a pair of homers and three RBIs versus the right-hander.
Boston's Monday starter, Rick Porcello (1-3, 4.75 ERA), looks to reverse his early-season struggles after a rare four-walk game his last time out against the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner had not walked that many batters since May 29, 2014, a span of 88 starts. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out nine.
Like his counterpart, Porcello has also struggled against his Monday opponent, going 4-8 with a 4.88 ERA over 15 career starts against the Orioles.
Adam Jones (11-for-45, .244) has three homers and nine RBIs against Porcello. Chris Davis (8-for-36, .222) and Mark Trumbo (8-for-26, .308) also have three homers and seven RBIs apiece off the right-hander.
Baltimore (15-8) enters the series after losses in two of three games against the Yankees, while Boston (13-11) took two of three games against the visiting Cubs.
The Orioles have won three of their first five games against the Red Sox this season with 14 left to play. Boston went 11-8 in its season series with Baltimore last year.
BOSTON -- Will there be a beanfest in Beantown?
That is the big question ahead of the Baltimore Orioles' visit to Fenway Park for a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox that opens Monday night.
The drama began April 21 in Baltimore, when Orioles third baseman Manny Machado spiked Boston's Dustin Pedroia on an eighth-inning slide at second base.
Pedroia said he didn't think the play was dirty, but that wasn't good enough for Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes, who buzzed Machado's head with a pitch in the April 23 series finale.
Barnes was ejected and suspended four games for the incident, and Pedroia has since spoken spoke out against the ill-advised head-hunting.
Pedroia missed three games with left knee and ankle injuries that stemmed from the play, and Barnes returned from his suspension Sunday night to earn a win against the Chicago Cubs.
Don't expect either side to be particularly keen to talk about last weekend's events. Boston's Hanley Ramirez, for one, has already moved on.
"OK, no more talking about what happened in Baltimore. It's over," Ramirez said in the aftermath last week. "We're ready to play baseball out there and keep winning."
Any retaliation from Baltimore could begin with right-hander Dylan Bundy (3-1, 1.65 ERA), who also started the game in which Machado injured Pedroia.
But for now, he is playing coy.
"I don't have any thoughts about it," Bundy said in New York on Sunday. "To me, that's blown over. We're playing baseball now. We try not to worry about stuff that we can't control, so we're just going to go in there and look to win."
Bundy held Boston scoreless on six hits and a walk while fanning three over seven innings in the Orioles' 2-0 victory on April 21.
His first start against the Red Sox this season didn't go as well. On April 11, he surrendered three runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in a 6 1/3-inning defeat at Fenway.
Bundy is 2-3 with a 4.76 ERA in nine career outings (five starts) versus Boston. He is 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA in five prior appearances (two starts) at Fenway.
He coughed up two solo home runs in a 6 1/3-inning no-decision against the Tampa Bay Rays last Wednesday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out three.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter considered pushing Bundy back until Tuesday, but said in New York on Saturday that he decided to start him Monday.
Pedroia is 6-for-15 (.400) with three RBIs lifetime against Bundy. Mookie Betts (5-for-15, .333) has a pair of homers and three RBIs versus the right-hander.
Boston's Monday starter, Rick Porcello (1-3, 4.75 ERA), looks to reverse his early-season struggles after a rare four-walk game his last time out against the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner had not walked that many batters since May 29, 2014, a span of 88 starts. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out nine.
Like his counterpart, Porcello has also struggled against his Monday opponent, going 4-8 with a 4.88 ERA over 15 career starts against the Orioles.
Adam Jones (11-for-45, .244) has three homers and nine RBIs against Porcello. Chris Davis (8-for-36, .222) and Mark Trumbo (8-for-26, .308) also have three homers and seven RBIs apiece off the right-hander.
Baltimore (15-8) enters the series after losses in two of three games against the Yankees, while Boston (13-11) took two of three games against the visiting Cubs.
The Orioles have won three of their first five games against the Red Sox this season with 14 left to play. Boston went 11-8 in its season series with Baltimore last year.
Bottom's up: Blue Jays open series at Yankees
Stats, LLC
NEW YORK -- April meant different things for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.
Projected to compete with the Boston Red Sox for American League East supremacy, the Blue Jays stumbled out of the gate and still are trying to recover.
Projected to be in the middle of the division, the Yankees followed up the best record in spring training by tying for the best record in the AL through the first month.
The disappointing Blue Jays and surprising New York get together for the first time this season Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees (15-8) are off to their best start since 2010. They are 14-4 in their past 18 games, a run that started with a 7-3 comeback win at Baltimore on April 9.
"Nobody gets trophies for anything in April, but I'll take how we're playing right now," New York general manager Brian Cashman said before the Yankees' wild 7-4, 11-inning loss to the Orioles on Sunday. "I'll take the wins that are coming with it, especially when we have some of our key components down."
Those components include shortstop Didi Gregorius and catcher Gary Sanchez. Gregorius missed the first 20 games with a strained shoulder, while Sanchez has missed the past three weeks due to a strained biceps.
Gregorius went 7-for-15 in his first three games, including the game-tying single in the ninth Sunday. Sanchez will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, and he could return next weekend against the Chicago Cubs.
"I'm really pleased with how we started out of the gate," Cashman said. "It's not just the month. I remind people we came out of spring training with the best record in the entire game, and we followed that up with the best record in April. So I feel we got some momentum building, and hopefully we can add to it."
A year ago, the Yankees started 8-17, and only a strong surge in August and early September enabled them to finish with a winning record.
The Blue Jays are coming off consecutive appearances in the AL Championship Series after not reaching the postseason since their 1993 World Championship season. Toronto, however, is 8-17 after scoring three times in the eighth inning to take a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
Jose Bautista hit the game-tying double and scored on Russell Martin's single in the finale against the Rays. Those hits raised Bautista's average to .178 (16-for-90) and Martin's average to .219 (14-for-64).
Until those hits, the Blue Jays nearly went the first month without getting a series win and consecutive victories.
"It's pretty amazing to go through a whole month without winning two in a row until the very end. In a lot of ways, that's hard to do," Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
If Toronto wound up losing, it would have been the first time since June 1981 that it did not win a series in a month, according to STATS, LLC.
The Blue Jays have scored three runs or fewer 12 times, and 12 of their losses came by two runs or fewer.
"We may be down, but we make a run at it every night," Gibbons said. "And they keep competing. I haven't seen a lack of effort. I've said many times, this group, as tough as things have been, and they've been real tough, they compete."
The Blue Jays have been attempting to get wins without shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (hamstring) and third baseman Josh Donaldson (strained right calf). Tulowitzki has yet to test his hamstring, while Donaldson recently started taking batting practice.
Luis Severino starts the series opener for the Yankees. He is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts after allowing three hits in seven scoreless innings Wednesday in a 3-1 win at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. He has totaled 27 of his 33 strikeouts in his past four starts.
In five appearances against Toronto, Severino is 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA. In his last start vs. the Blue Jays on Sept. 26 in Toronto, Severino was ejected for hitting Justin Smoak after also plunking Donaldson.
Marco Estrada starts for the Blue Jays and hopes for some better run support. He is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five starts, as Toronto has scored just 13 runs for him. Six of those runs came when he allowed two runs and six hits over six innings in a no-decision last Tuesday during the Blue Jays' 6-5, 10-inning win at St. Louis.
Estrada is 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts) against New York.
NEW YORK -- April meant different things for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.
Projected to compete with the Boston Red Sox for American League East supremacy, the Blue Jays stumbled out of the gate and still are trying to recover.
Projected to be in the middle of the division, the Yankees followed up the best record in spring training by tying for the best record in the AL through the first month.
The disappointing Blue Jays and surprising New York get together for the first time this season Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees (15-8) are off to their best start since 2010. They are 14-4 in their past 18 games, a run that started with a 7-3 comeback win at Baltimore on April 9.
"Nobody gets trophies for anything in April, but I'll take how we're playing right now," New York general manager Brian Cashman said before the Yankees' wild 7-4, 11-inning loss to the Orioles on Sunday. "I'll take the wins that are coming with it, especially when we have some of our key components down."
Those components include shortstop Didi Gregorius and catcher Gary Sanchez. Gregorius missed the first 20 games with a strained shoulder, while Sanchez has missed the past three weeks due to a strained biceps.
Gregorius went 7-for-15 in his first three games, including the game-tying single in the ninth Sunday. Sanchez will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, and he could return next weekend against the Chicago Cubs.
"I'm really pleased with how we started out of the gate," Cashman said. "It's not just the month. I remind people we came out of spring training with the best record in the entire game, and we followed that up with the best record in April. So I feel we got some momentum building, and hopefully we can add to it."
A year ago, the Yankees started 8-17, and only a strong surge in August and early September enabled them to finish with a winning record.
The Blue Jays are coming off consecutive appearances in the AL Championship Series after not reaching the postseason since their 1993 World Championship season. Toronto, however, is 8-17 after scoring three times in the eighth inning to take a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
Jose Bautista hit the game-tying double and scored on Russell Martin's single in the finale against the Rays. Those hits raised Bautista's average to .178 (16-for-90) and Martin's average to .219 (14-for-64).
Until those hits, the Blue Jays nearly went the first month without getting a series win and consecutive victories.
"It's pretty amazing to go through a whole month without winning two in a row until the very end. In a lot of ways, that's hard to do," Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
If Toronto wound up losing, it would have been the first time since June 1981 that it did not win a series in a month, according to STATS, LLC.
The Blue Jays have scored three runs or fewer 12 times, and 12 of their losses came by two runs or fewer.
"We may be down, but we make a run at it every night," Gibbons said. "And they keep competing. I haven't seen a lack of effort. I've said many times, this group, as tough as things have been, and they've been real tough, they compete."
The Blue Jays have been attempting to get wins without shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (hamstring) and third baseman Josh Donaldson (strained right calf). Tulowitzki has yet to test his hamstring, while Donaldson recently started taking batting practice.
Luis Severino starts the series opener for the Yankees. He is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts after allowing three hits in seven scoreless innings Wednesday in a 3-1 win at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. He has totaled 27 of his 33 strikeouts in his past four starts.
In five appearances against Toronto, Severino is 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA. In his last start vs. the Blue Jays on Sept. 26 in Toronto, Severino was ejected for hitting Justin Smoak after also plunking Donaldson.
Marco Estrada starts for the Blue Jays and hopes for some better run support. He is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five starts, as Toronto has scored just 13 runs for him. Six of those runs came when he allowed two runs and six hits over six innings in a no-decision last Tuesday during the Blue Jays' 6-5, 10-inning win at St. Louis.
Estrada is 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts) against New York.
6-foot-7 Aaron Judge transforms batting practice in Bronx
AP Baseball Writer
Aaron Judge has transformed batting practice in the Bronx.
Balls thwack loudly as the New York Yankees' rookie drives them onto the top of the restaurant behind Monument Park. Because of the 6-foot-7 power hitter's high backswing, the grounds crew already has tightened the mesh above the batting cage to raise it. And a new piece is being fabricated to raise the top even higher.
"In the minor leagues, we just had to have somebody hold it," he said Sunday. "They've got some better things to make adjustments here."
Judge made his debut Aug, 13 and homered off Tampa Bay's Matt Andriese in his first at-bat, as did Tyler Austin, the previous batter - the first teammates to homer in their first career at-bats in the same game. Judge homered four times, but had 42 strikeouts in 84 at-bats before he strained an oblique muscle on Sept. 13 - ending his season and preserving his rookie status.
He is hitting .303 with 10 homers and 20 RBIs this season, matching Jose Abreu in 2014 and Trevor Story last year for the most by a rookie in April.
And his home runs are going far - and at high speed.
"He's worth the price of admission just to come see him play in person for nine innings," teammate Brett Gardner said.
Judge's homers have averaged 413 feet, according to MLB's Statcast. Among players with five or more homers, that's seventh in the major leagues behind Avisail Garcia (432), Corey Seager (426), Miguel Sano (422), Nelson Cruz (416), Story (415) and Giancarlo Stanton (413).
Judge hit a 457-foot drive into the second deck at Pittsburgh against Antonio Bastardo on April 22, three days after a 448-foot shot against Chicago White Sox rookie Dylan Covey fell about five rows short of the flag poles behind Yankee Stadium's left-field bleachers. Judge's home run Friday against Baltimore's Javier Aquino left the bat at 119.4 mph, the highest speed for a home run since Statcast began tracking in 2015.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi thinks Judge could reach the flag poles.
"I think he has a chance to get up there. I really do," Girardi said. "He has the ability to hit a popup that will go 370 feet and be gone, where another guy hits a ball like that and it's going to go 320 and it's going to be an out."
Judge has tried to deflect attention, saying that teammate Matt Holliday's high backswing also is cause for the batting cage change.
Given Judge's attention-grabbing home runs, it wouldn't be surprising to see Fox push for Judge to be included in the field at Miami for the Home Run Derby on July 10. Stanton won last year, when he wasn't even an All-Star.
After watching Judge take batting practice Friday, Baltimore Hall of Famer Jim Palmer said he was reminded of Washington Senators slugger Frank Howard.
"I like to watch those big guys hit. Better than pitching against them," Palmer said.
LINE OF THE WEEK
Washington's Anthony Rendon had six hits, three home runs and 10 RBIs on Sunday against the New York Mets, the first player to reach double digits in RBIs since the Angels Garret Anderson in 2007. Rendon hit a two-run single in the first against Noah Syndergaard, a solo homer in the third and a three-run drive in the fourth against Sean Gilmartin, a three-run double versus Fernando Salas in the fifth and a solo homer off backup catcher Kevin Plawecki in the eighth.
EMPTY SEATS BATTLE
The up-for-sale Miami Marlins host Tampa Bay on Monday and Tuesday, then play at the Rays on Wednesday and Thursday in the Citrus Series.
Tampa Bay has averaged 16,761 for 13 dates, second-lowest in the major leagues and just 77 ahead of Oakland. Miami has averaged 24,996, ahead of only Arizona, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the NL.
WHO HAS THE FLAG?
The Chicago Cubs host the New York Yankees as World Series champions for the first time in a three-game series that starts Friday. The Yankees finished a Series sweep with a pair of wins at Wrigley Field in 1932 and started one with two victories in 1938. New York is 4-4 at the Friendly Confines in interleague play, losing two of three in 2003, winning two of three in 2011 and splitting a pair in 2014.
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AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker contributed to this report.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
LEADING OFF: Machado, O's in Beantown after near-beaning
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BIRDS IN BEANTOWN
The Orioles face Boston at Fenway Park in their first meeting since tempers flared a week ago at Camden Yards. Manny Machado rankled the Red Sox with a late slide into second baseman Dustin Pedroia, then two days later, Matt Barnes buzzed the Baltimore star with a fastball behind the head. The dustup drew a lot of heat, and Barnes was suspended four games.
LONE STAR LOSSES
Houston missed the playoffs last season, and the Rangers really hurt them. The Astros were just 4-15 against their intrastate rivals, and are only 10-28 since Jeff Banister became the Texas manager in 2015. They meet for the first time this year, with Houston-area native Andrew Cashner starting for the Rangers and Lance McCullers pitching for the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
NOT A PERFECT 10
The Royals try to avoid a 10th straight loss when they host the White Sox. Kansas City is stuck in its worst skid since dropping 12 in a row in April 2012. Jason Vargas starts for the Royals after losing to Chicago last week.
TEST TIME
Mets ace Noah Syndergaard is having an MRI, a day after he left a shaky start with a possible lat strain. He refused to have an MRI on his biceps Friday, but will now get checked after giving up five runs in the first inning of a 23-5 loss at Washington. Syndergaard was pulled with one out in the second after his 38th pitch. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said this problem "may or may not be related to his previous complaint, which was in the bicep, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens."
DOING OK?
The Brewers might have a better feel for how slugger Ryan Braun is feeling. He left Sunday's game because of arm soreness and tightness in his right trapezius, a large muscle that extends from the shoulder into the upper back. Braun, hitting .287 with seven home runs, said he doesn't expect to go on the disabled list. The former NL MVP has missed time with lower back tightness this season and last year.
FIRE UP THE COLES
Pirates righty RHP Gerrit Cole (1-3, 3.60 ERA) is scheduled to make his 100th career start when Cincinnati visits PNC Park. He is 0-6 in eight starts against the Reds.
Diamondbacks beat Rockies 2-0 in 13 innings
By BOB BAUM
AP Sports Writer
PHOENIX (AP) Two of the most potent teams in the National League squared off and nobody scored for four hours.
Finally, Daniel Descalso hit a two-run homer into the Chase Field swimming pool in the 13th inning, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
Descalso's drive off Jordan Lyles (0-1) salvaged the finale of the weekend series for the Diamondbacks and ended the longest scoreless game in Chase Field history.
It was his first career game-ending homer.
"I'm not trying to hit a home run there," Descalso said. "It is an 0-2 count and he made a pitch over the middle of the plate. I put a good swing on."
Seven pitchers, led by Patrick Corbin's 6 1/3 innings, combined to shut out the Rockies on five hits. Randall Delgado (1-0) pitched the final two innings for the victory, finishing a 6-4 homestand for Arizona.
"The pitching was unbelievable," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "It kept a very offensive team scoreless and gave us a chance to maneuver and do some rings to win."
Brandon Drury beat out an infield single to start the 13th and Descalso drove a slider over the fence in center for a splashdown and the win.
"It was down the middle," Lyles said. "I tried to bounce it and I missed middle-middle with it."
Corbin allowed two hits, struck out six and walked two.
Colorado starter German Marquez struck out eight in six innings. He yielded six hits and walked one.
The top five batters in Colorado's powerful lineup were a combined 1 for 26.
"They were looking to sweep us and our pitchers stepped up," Lovullo said.
The extra-inning win came less than 24 hours after Fernando Rodney blew his second straight save in Arizona's 7-6 loss to the Rockies. The series ended with NL West-leading Colorado a half-game up on the Diamondbacks in the standings.
Arizona had a couple of late threats before finally scoring.
With two outs in the 12th, A.J. Pollock doubled to deep left center and took third on a passed ball. David Peralta walked and Paul Goldschmidt was hit by a pitch to load the bases but Lyles got Jake Lamb to bounce out to third.
In the 10th, Peralta's slow one-out bouncer got past second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, who subsequently ran into Pollock as the baserunner raced from first to third.
Rockies manager Bud Black jumped from the dugout and vehemently argued Pollock had interfered with LeMahieu. After a discussion with the other umpires, Pollock was called out.
Colorado loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, but Dustin Garneau popped out, Marquez grounded into a fielder's choice and Charlie Blackmon grounded out to first.
STRIKEOUT KINGS
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Diamondbacks became the first National League team to strike out at least 11 in seven consecutive games and the first to do it in the majors since record keeping began in 1893.
"We have some guys who have power who have swings that generate some bat speed that are susceptible to the strikeout," Black said. "I'm going to say today was just one of those days where I think the pitchers just got us."
Home plate umpire Jerry Layne had a generous strike zone. Arizona pitchers finished with 17 strikeouts, and Colorado had 13.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: Ian Desmond was activated from the 10-day DL and started in left field. Desmond, who signed a $70 million, five-year contract with the Rockies over the winter, fractured his left hand in spring training.
Desmond is expected to eventually play at first but Mark Reynolds is off to a strong start. Desmond was 1 for 5 in his Colorado debut.
"I was prepared. I felt great," he said. "I was pretty much ready for anything. I was getting a little hungry toward the end. Other than that, I was good."
UP NEXT
Rockies: Following an off day, Colorado opens a three-game series at San Diego on Tuesday night. Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (2-3, 4.88 ERA) pitches against Trevor Cahill (1-2, 4.50 ERA).
Diamondbacks: Following an off day, Arizona begins a three-game set at NL East-leading Washington. Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (3-1, 3.94 ERA), who fanned 11 in eight innings in his last outing, faces Tanner Roark (3-0, 3.64 ERA) in the opener.
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This version corrects to Arizona pitchers had 17 strikeouts instead of 16.
AP Sports Writer
PHOENIX (AP) Two of the most potent teams in the National League squared off and nobody scored for four hours.
Finally, Daniel Descalso hit a two-run homer into the Chase Field swimming pool in the 13th inning, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
Descalso's drive off Jordan Lyles (0-1) salvaged the finale of the weekend series for the Diamondbacks and ended the longest scoreless game in Chase Field history.
It was his first career game-ending homer.
"I'm not trying to hit a home run there," Descalso said. "It is an 0-2 count and he made a pitch over the middle of the plate. I put a good swing on."
Seven pitchers, led by Patrick Corbin's 6 1/3 innings, combined to shut out the Rockies on five hits. Randall Delgado (1-0) pitched the final two innings for the victory, finishing a 6-4 homestand for Arizona.
"The pitching was unbelievable," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "It kept a very offensive team scoreless and gave us a chance to maneuver and do some rings to win."
Brandon Drury beat out an infield single to start the 13th and Descalso drove a slider over the fence in center for a splashdown and the win.
"It was down the middle," Lyles said. "I tried to bounce it and I missed middle-middle with it."
Corbin allowed two hits, struck out six and walked two.
Colorado starter German Marquez struck out eight in six innings. He yielded six hits and walked one.
The top five batters in Colorado's powerful lineup were a combined 1 for 26.
"They were looking to sweep us and our pitchers stepped up," Lovullo said.
The extra-inning win came less than 24 hours after Fernando Rodney blew his second straight save in Arizona's 7-6 loss to the Rockies. The series ended with NL West-leading Colorado a half-game up on the Diamondbacks in the standings.
Arizona had a couple of late threats before finally scoring.
With two outs in the 12th, A.J. Pollock doubled to deep left center and took third on a passed ball. David Peralta walked and Paul Goldschmidt was hit by a pitch to load the bases but Lyles got Jake Lamb to bounce out to third.
In the 10th, Peralta's slow one-out bouncer got past second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, who subsequently ran into Pollock as the baserunner raced from first to third.
Rockies manager Bud Black jumped from the dugout and vehemently argued Pollock had interfered with LeMahieu. After a discussion with the other umpires, Pollock was called out.
Colorado loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, but Dustin Garneau popped out, Marquez grounded into a fielder's choice and Charlie Blackmon grounded out to first.
STRIKEOUT KINGS
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Diamondbacks became the first National League team to strike out at least 11 in seven consecutive games and the first to do it in the majors since record keeping began in 1893.
"We have some guys who have power who have swings that generate some bat speed that are susceptible to the strikeout," Black said. "I'm going to say today was just one of those days where I think the pitchers just got us."
Home plate umpire Jerry Layne had a generous strike zone. Arizona pitchers finished with 17 strikeouts, and Colorado had 13.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: Ian Desmond was activated from the 10-day DL and started in left field. Desmond, who signed a $70 million, five-year contract with the Rockies over the winter, fractured his left hand in spring training.
Desmond is expected to eventually play at first but Mark Reynolds is off to a strong start. Desmond was 1 for 5 in his Colorado debut.
"I was prepared. I felt great," he said. "I was pretty much ready for anything. I was getting a little hungry toward the end. Other than that, I was good."
UP NEXT
Rockies: Following an off day, Colorado opens a three-game series at San Diego on Tuesday night. Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (2-3, 4.88 ERA) pitches against Trevor Cahill (1-2, 4.50 ERA).
Diamondbacks: Following an off day, Arizona begins a three-game set at NL East-leading Washington. Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (3-1, 3.94 ERA), who fanned 11 in eight innings in his last outing, faces Tanner Roark (3-0, 3.64 ERA) in the opener.
---
This version corrects to Arizona pitchers had 17 strikeouts instead of 16.
Toles leads Dodgers past Phillies for sweep
By STEVE DILBECK
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) After a couple years full of injuries, Hyun-Jin Ryu is back on track with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ryu pitched three-hit ball into the sixth inning, Andrew Toles hit a three-run homer and the Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 on Sunday.
Chris Taylor also connected, helping Los Angeles complete the three-game series sweep. The Dodgers used three consecutive homers and Adrian Gonzalez's game-ending single to rally for a wild 6-5 win on Saturday night.
Ryu earned his first win since Aug. 31, 2014. The veteran left-hander made only one start last season and had elbow surgery last September.
"Today is definitely a milestone for me because it's been almost a thousand days since I had a `W' under my belt," Ryu said.
Cesar Hernandez led off the game with a triple off the glove of Yasiel Puig and scored on Freddy Galvis' single. But Ryu allowed only one more hit in 5 1/3 innings.
"He threw the ball well," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "There was a compete there. The pitching mix was really good, the change was good.
"He's continuing to trend in the right direction."
Odubel Herrera hit a two-run homer for Philadelphia in the ninth. Kenley Jansen then came in and struck out Hernandez for his seventh save.
"We had something going early in the first, but we couldn't to a whole lot of damage," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "Not enough hitting."
Philadelphia right-hander Nick Pivetta (0-1) allowed two runs and nine hits in five innings in his major league debut.
"It was a lot of fun," Pivetta said. "It was a little hairy through the first three innings. I was definitely nervous. But once I got into the fourth and fifth innings I kind of settled down a lot and got into my groove again."
Justin Turner singled in Toles in the first, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. Taylor put the Dodgers ahead to stay with his solo shot in the second.
The 5-foot-9 Toles connected against Jeanmar Gomez in the sixth, making it 5-1. It was his fifth of the season.
"He can hit," Turner said. "He can flat-out hit. Even when he's out, he's hitting rockets."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (strained lower back) is eligible to come off the disabled list Monday, but instead will throw a bullpen session. He also threw one Friday.
Dodgers: LHP Rich Hill (blister) is scheduled for a rehab start Thursday for Class A Rancho Cucamonga.
TURNER HOT
Turner and Yasmani Grandal each had three hits for the Dodgers. Turner's 16-game hitting streak is the longest in the majors this season.
PROMISING DEBUT
The 24-year-old Pivetta struck out five and walked one.
"I was real happy with Pivetta's debut at the major league level," Mackanin said. "He pitches himself into some trouble but got out of it and limited the damage."
UP NEXT
Phillies: Right-hander Vince Velasquez (1-2, 6.33 ERA) will try to get his season turned around Monday when the Phillies open a four-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (4-1) is scheduled to make a second consecutive start against the Giants on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw pitched seven sparkling innings in a 2-1 win at San Francisco on Tuesday.
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) After a couple years full of injuries, Hyun-Jin Ryu is back on track with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ryu pitched three-hit ball into the sixth inning, Andrew Toles hit a three-run homer and the Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 on Sunday.
Chris Taylor also connected, helping Los Angeles complete the three-game series sweep. The Dodgers used three consecutive homers and Adrian Gonzalez's game-ending single to rally for a wild 6-5 win on Saturday night.
Ryu earned his first win since Aug. 31, 2014. The veteran left-hander made only one start last season and had elbow surgery last September.
"Today is definitely a milestone for me because it's been almost a thousand days since I had a `W' under my belt," Ryu said.
Cesar Hernandez led off the game with a triple off the glove of Yasiel Puig and scored on Freddy Galvis' single. But Ryu allowed only one more hit in 5 1/3 innings.
"He threw the ball well," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "There was a compete there. The pitching mix was really good, the change was good.
"He's continuing to trend in the right direction."
Odubel Herrera hit a two-run homer for Philadelphia in the ninth. Kenley Jansen then came in and struck out Hernandez for his seventh save.
"We had something going early in the first, but we couldn't to a whole lot of damage," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "Not enough hitting."
Philadelphia right-hander Nick Pivetta (0-1) allowed two runs and nine hits in five innings in his major league debut.
"It was a lot of fun," Pivetta said. "It was a little hairy through the first three innings. I was definitely nervous. But once I got into the fourth and fifth innings I kind of settled down a lot and got into my groove again."
Justin Turner singled in Toles in the first, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. Taylor put the Dodgers ahead to stay with his solo shot in the second.
The 5-foot-9 Toles connected against Jeanmar Gomez in the sixth, making it 5-1. It was his fifth of the season.
"He can hit," Turner said. "He can flat-out hit. Even when he's out, he's hitting rockets."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (strained lower back) is eligible to come off the disabled list Monday, but instead will throw a bullpen session. He also threw one Friday.
Dodgers: LHP Rich Hill (blister) is scheduled for a rehab start Thursday for Class A Rancho Cucamonga.
TURNER HOT
Turner and Yasmani Grandal each had three hits for the Dodgers. Turner's 16-game hitting streak is the longest in the majors this season.
PROMISING DEBUT
The 24-year-old Pivetta struck out five and walked one.
"I was real happy with Pivetta's debut at the major league level," Mackanin said. "He pitches himself into some trouble but got out of it and limited the damage."
UP NEXT
Phillies: Right-hander Vince Velasquez (1-2, 6.33 ERA) will try to get his season turned around Monday when the Phillies open a four-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (4-1) is scheduled to make a second consecutive start against the Giants on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw pitched seven sparkling innings in a 2-1 win at San Francisco on Tuesday.
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