Cardinals top Giants in opener; Orioles stay hot at home
The St. Louis Cardinals topped the San Francisco Giants on Monday night, increasing their lead in the National League Central in the process.
Michael Wacha turned in seven innings of one-run ball and Yadier Molina clubbed a mammoth home run into Big Mac Land, giving the Cardinals a series-opening win over the reigning World Champion Giants.
San Francisco, the only team with a real shot at catching the Chicago Cubs for the second wild card spot in the National League, fell to four games back of Joe Maddon‘s club with the loss.
With the Cubs out of action, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a chance to put some distance between themselves and Chicago in the Central, but failed to do so, as the Arizona Diamondbacks rolled into Pittsburgh, defeating the Pirates at PNC.
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A mere two games now separate the Cubs and Pirates for the top wild card spot in the NL.
In other action, the Baltimore Orioles continued their hot play, topping the Oakland Athletics by a 4-2 final, thanks to a 3-RBI game from Steve Clevenger and a stellar outing from right-hander Chris Tillman.
The Texas Rangers walked off against Seattle, as Mariners closer Fernando Rodney blew another save in what has to be considered one of the worst seasons o this big league career. The Rangers now find themselves just one game out of a wild card spot in the American League.
Here’s more from around the league:
“Cardinals top Giants behind Wacha’s dominance” – Redbird Rants
“Pirates welcome Diamondbacks to PNC” – Rum Bunter
“Sodo Mojo podcast: The latest episode” – Sodo Mojo
“O’s win on the back of Clevenger” – Birds Watcher
“Cubs’ Epstein destined to stay in Chicago” – Cubbies Crib