Colorado Holds On To First

Kyle Freeland outdueled Walker Buehler to keep the Rockies in first place in the NL West. The gained a game on the Dodgers with the victory to move 1 1/2 games ahead but the division is still close. Arizona, who lost to the Braves fell to 2 1/2 games back and Colorado ensures they finish the series with the Dodgers in first. Freeland threw 6 innings and gave up an earned run with 8 strike outs to improve to 14-7 on the year. A Rockies pitcher with an ERA below 3.00 is pretty impressive.

In the AL, Houston picked up their 7th win in a row and they are putting the Red Sox on notice. 2 in a row in Boston and Houston is looking really good for the post season. With the win they stay 3 1/2 games ahead of Oakland who beat Texas Saturday. Home runs by Maldonado and Bregman paced the offense for the Astros while Oakland saw HRs by Pinder, Olson, and Davis.

Double Home Runs

While Freeland takes my pitcher of the day, 2 players went yard twice on Saturday. With 2 home runs, Adrian Beltre passed up Carlos Delgado into 32nd on the all time home run list. His 474 HRs put him 1 behind Willie Stargell and Stan Musial. On the other side of their career, Mike Trout slammed 2 HRs himself. It was part of a 5 for 5 day the put the Angels in position to beat the White Sox 12 to 3. With 3 runs and 5 RBIs, Trout easily grabs my Player of the day. For both these teams, outbursts like this are all they have to look forward to since they’re out of contention but it’s days like today that keep them fun to watch.

Player of the Day: Mike Trout, LAA – 5-5, 3 R, 5 RBI
Pitcher of the Day: Kyle Freeland, COL – 6 INN, 1 ER, 8 K

Sports – West Coast Baseball – Colorado Holds On To First