Maya wasn't exactly the Nationals' first choice to pitch in the 10th inning of a tie game, but he did manage to get one out before the two-run jack. That's something, right? Sandoval's blast to right-center was his eighth homer of the season. If he can stay healthy, he should surpass his career highs of 25 homers and 90 RBI established in 2009.
Pablo Sandoval delivers walkoff homer
Pablo Sandoval | SF
(May 22, 2013 1:40 AM EDT)
Pablo Sandoval hit a walkoff homer off Yunesky Maya in the 10th inning Tuesday as the Giants beat the Nationals 4-2.
Stephen Strasburg strikes out seven Giants
Stephen Strasburg | WAS
(May 22, 2013 1:37 AM EDT)
Stephen Strasburg pitched seven innings of one-run ball, striking out seven, in a no-decision against the Giants on Tuesday.
Strasburg has allowed just two earned runs in his last three starts, dropping his ERA from 3.45 to 2.66. That overstates how well he's pitched -- he's given up nine unearned runs this season -- but tonight's performance was maybe the most impressive one he's put together this year and should give him something to build on.
Rafael Soriano blows third save
Rafael Soriano | WAS
(May 22, 2013 1:35 AM EDT)
Rafael Soriano took his third blown save after giving up a run in the ninth against the Giants on Tuesday.
Soriano also took a blown save on Friday, but that was aided by a Ryan Zimmerman throwing error and he ended up notching the win in the 10th. Soriano still has nothing to worry about as far as job security -- he's more trustworthy than Drew Storen right now -- but the Nationals can't afford to continue being let down by their pen when their offense has been so poor.
Danny Espinosa goes hitless in 4th straight
Danny Espinosa | WAS
(May 22, 2013 1:32 AM EDT)
Danny Espinosa went hitless in a fourth straight game Tuesday, leaving him with a .159 average in 139 at-bats.
Maybe more patience would be warranted if Espinosa were healthy, but it's quite possible he needs surgery for the partial rotator cuff tear he suffered last year. Besides, he's just killing the Nationals offense right now. Not only is he batting .159, but he's walked just three times all year. His OBP stands at .186.
Daniel Descalso hits first ever grand slam
Daniel Descalso | STL
(May 22, 2013 1:27 AM EDT)
Daniel Descalso went 3-for-3 with his first career grand slam and an RBI double in the Cardinals' 10-2 rout of the Padres on Tuesday.
Descalso's slam followed an intentional walk to Jon Jay. Descalso entered the game with an ugly .197/.265/.289 line, and he probably wouldn't have been in the lineup if not for David Freese's thumb injury. The home run was his seventh in 813 major league at-bats.
Adam Wainwright goes 7 1/3 in victory
Adam Wainwright | STL
(May 22, 2013 1:24 AM EDT)
Adam Wainwright limited the Padres to one run and four hits in 7 1/3 innings to pick up his sixth win Tuesday.
Wainwright had a 5.77 ERA on this day a year ago before finally turning around his season with a shutout of the Padres on May 22. This year, he's been on target since day one; he ranks in the top 10 in the NL in wins, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.
Anthony Bass gives up four runs to Cards
Anthony Bass | SD
(May 22, 2013 1:19 AM EDT)
Padres reliever Anthony Bass was charged with four runs in his second inning of work Tuesday against the Cardinals.
Bass was ripped off tonight. The first hitter to reach against him did so on a strikeout/wild pitch. The second had a clean single, but Yadier Molina followed with a double-play ball, only Everth Cabrera vacated second base way too early on the relay and wasn't given credit for the out. With runners on second and third with one out, Bud Black had Bass intentionally walk Jon Jay, and Daniel Descalso followed with a grand slam. That was certainly a mistake for Bass, but he could have been out of the inning before then and he didn't deserve for his ERA to jump from 2.60 to 3.64 tonight.
Mike Trout hits for cycle for first time
Mike Trout | ANA
(May 22, 2013 1:13 AM EDT)
Mike Trout homered in the eighth inning Tuesday to complete his first cycle in the Angels' 12-0 massacre of the Mariners.
Trout struck out in his first at-bat, but he singled, tripled and doubled afterwards before delivered his ninth homer off Lucas Luetge in the eighth. He drove in five runs in all, and he became the youngest player to hit for the cycle since Mel Ott in 1929. Trout has his average up to .293, and he's currently on pace to finish the season with 32 homers, 112 runs scored, 122 RBI and 32 steals.
Jerome Williams goes eight scoreless in win
Jerome Williams | ANA
(May 22, 2013 1:12 AM EDT)
Jerome Williams blanked the Mariners for eight innings to win Tuesday night.
Williams has been a savior for the Angels, going 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA in four starts and seven relief appearances. He now figures to keep his rotation spot after Jered Weaver returns. AL-only leaguers should keep riding him with the Royals and Astros next on the schedule.
Aaron Harang gets pounded for seven runs
Aaron Harang | SEA
(May 22, 2013 1:09 AM EDT)
Aaron Harang was lit up for seven runs in 3 2/3 innings by the Angels on Tuesday.
Josh Hamilton and Howie Kendrick homered off him. Harang fell to 1-5 with an 8.58 ERA. The Mariners need to make a switch here, whether it's Jeremy Bonderman, Hector Noesi or James Paxton as the replacement. Erasmo Ramirez still isn't healthy, unfortunately.