Rundown 8/11/09

Possible Playoff Match-Up:
Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5
The winning streak continues. The Tigers got to Sox starter Junichi Tazawa early (scoring 3 runs in the first inning) but Boston came back thanks to 2 home runs by Mike Lowell. Lowell would not have even come into the game if starter Kevin Youkilis had not charged the mound in the second inning, resulting in his and Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello's ejections. Youk sprinted out to the mound after getting hit by a pitch (apparently in retaliation for Miguel Cabrera getting beaned earlier) and threw his helmet at Porcello before tackling him to the ground. I can tell you, it was a lot of fun to watch. There was a little drama in the ninth, with Curtis Granderson homering off Jonathon Papelbon, but it passed and the Red Sox won, giving Tazawa his first major-league victory. Coupled with the Texas Rangers' loss to Cleveland, the Sox are now 1.5 games up in the Wild Card.
Los Angeles Angels beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0

Pitching Performance of the Night:
Ervin Santana, LAA: 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K vs. Tampa Bay
What seemed like a lost season for Santana may have been reversed last night after he pitched a shutout against the Rays. He needed only 97 pitches to get through the powerful Tampa Bay lineup. The only hits Santana gave up were 2 singles and a double, all coming in separate innings. He also lowered his ERA from 7.20 to 6.38. Last year was a career year for Santana, when he went 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA. This year was derailed by arm problems and general suckiness.
Honorable Mention: John Danks, CWS: 8 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Offensive Performance of the Night:
Adrian Gonzalez, SD: 6 for 6, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI vs. Milwaukee
Gonzalez accomplished something that has only been done twice this season. He hit 6 hits in San Diego's 13-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Strange that a power hitter who has a low average would have 5 singles in a game. Oh well, six hits is good, even if only one went for extra bases. The Padres' usually sickly offense knocked 22 hits in the game, including home runs by Will Venable and Henry Blanco. Gonzalez set a franchise records for hits in a game.
Honorable Mention: Miguel Olivo, KC: 3 for 5, 3B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB