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| In Thursday's win, Josh Hamilton drove in four runs for the fourth time this season. (US Presswire) |
After four games and 76 runs, the American League West enters the weekend the same as it started the week -- with the Rangers leading the division by five games. Meanwhile, the National League Central takes center stage this weekend with a three-game series between the top two teams in the division.
Full Thursday scoreboard with recaps and box scores for every game
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Josh Hamilton, Rangers: Hamilton notched his fourth four-RBI game of the season -- and first since June 30 as the Rangers topped the Angels 15-9.
Josh Rutledge, Rockies: The rookie shortstop homered in his fourth straight game on Thursday, becoming the first Rockies rookie to do that. He has five home runs in his 18 games this season.
Ross Detwiler, Nationals: The left-hander started out shaky, allowing six baserunners in the first three innings of Thursday's game against the Phillies, but then retired the final 14 batters he faced to help Washington avoid the sweep at the hands of Philadelphia. In all, he allowed three hits and two walks in seven scoreless. Since rejoining the Nationals' rotation, he has a 2.55 ERA in seven starts.
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Cleveland Indians: The Indians have now lost six in a row, getting swept by the two AL Central teams below them in the standings, the Twins and Royals. Now 7 1/2, it may be the end of the team's slim playoff hopes. Think they may want to do the trade deadline over?
Ryan Dempster, Rangers: In his first American League start he allowed eight runs -- more than in his last seven starts for the Cubs combined (7). In just 4 2/3 innings, he gave up nine hits and three walks, striking out six. He gave up home runs to Mark Trumbo and Ryan Dempster. Roy Oswalt, the man Dempster replaced in the rotation, threw two scoreless innings in the 15-8 victory.
Ross Ohlendorf, Padres: The San Diego right-hander retired just two batters in the second inning before being pulled after giving up six runs on six hits with three walks, facing 12 batters in the inning. After a 12-pitch first, Ohlendorf threw 48 pitches in the second before being replaced.
We're going streaking: Unless you're paying very close attention, you may not guess which team has the longest win streak in the big leagues. It's not the Reds or the White Sox or the Rays. Would you believe it's the Mariners? Seattle has won seven straight, with their last loss coming against their Friday opponent -- the Yankees. Seattle's still seven games below .500, but four games against the Royals and three against the struggling Blue Jays sure helped. Their next 12 games are all on the road with three-game series in New York, Baltimore and Anaheim. 7:05 p.m. ET
NL Central showdown: Pittsburgh enters this three-game set against the Reds in Cincinnati just 3 1/2 games behind the NL Central leaders and are leading the wild card race. Forget a winning record, Pittsburgh's eyeing the playoffs. Wandy Rodriguez makes his second start since being sent to the Pirates. He's 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three starts against Cincinnati this season. 7:10 p.m. ET
Welcome to the show: Oakland right-hander Daniel Stailey will make his big-league debut on Friday, facing off against the Blue Jays. The 23-year-old right-hander leads the minor leagues with 175 strikeouts in 127 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. In eight starts at Triple-A, he's gone 5-2 with a 1.36 ERA. 10:05 p.m. ET
Thursday's probable pitchers
• Bat on ball: Jeff Keppinger's had a rough week -- twice since Sunday, Keppinger struck out swinging. That raises his season total to six. In 219 plate appearances this season, he's struck out just 13 times. [Tampa Tribune]
• Proving something by doing nothing? At least one person at the San Diego Union-Tribune likes what Josh Byrnes did at the trade deadline (read: nothing). Of course, the newspaper recently fired its former columnist because he refused to root, root, root for the home team, so take this opinion with a grain of salt.
• Short of expectations: Beyond the Boxscore looks at Hanely Ramirez and other players who have regressed before meeting what most would expect to be their prime years.
• Aloha also means goodbye: Shane Victorino took out an ad in the Philadelphia Daily News to thank Phillies fans. The Philly newspapers are grateful for the Phillies firesale, because it's helped ad sales this month. [Philadelphia Daily News]
• Wardrobe malfunction: Mets rookie Jordany Valdespin was not happy when teammates destroyed a t-shirt after Wednesday's game in San Francisco. It was one of several lessons he's had to learn this season. [New York Times]
• At least it's not tape-delayed: The Olympics have a trampoline event (but boy, do they need to carry a lot of liability insurance for that), but no baseball. FanGraphs.com goes on the warpath.
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