The Angels never seem to be out of a game. Even with three star players out with injury, Los Angeles keeps finding ways to rally and string hits together for one unlikely comeback after another. Of course, it didn't hurt that the Angels spent the past three games facing a team that chucks away leads like they're day-old fish wrap.
Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton were entwined in a hug, having avoided a bone-rattling collision. One of Texas' All-Star outfielders even had the ball in his glove. Cruz's running catch to end the seventh inning, when the right fielder ended up in the arms of Hamilton, helped preserve a 3-1 victory for the Rangers on Wednesday night and a three-game sweep of the slumping Boston Red Sox.
Miguel Tejada refused to get down after missing the opportunity to drive in a run with the Houston Astros trailing by one and the bases loaded in the seventh inning Wednesday night. He just hoped to get another chance. He did. Tejada singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning, helping the Astros beat the St.
A.J. Burnett and the New York Yankees are turning into the $201 million juggernaut they were supposed to be this season. Burnett won his fourth straight decision and Nick Swisher had a big game with his bat and glove, leading New York over the Baltimore Orioles 6-4 on Wednesday for its sixth consecutive victory.
Russell Branyan and the Seattle Mariners made their few hits payoff. Branyan hit a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning to give Felix Hernandez and the Mariners a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. Branyan drove a 1-0 pitch from Bobby Seay (1-2) into the stands in right-center for his 24th homer — the last of Seattle's two hits in the game.
Jair Jurrjens can't match Tim Lincecum's flashy record. He is tough to beat, though, when the Braves score a few runs. Jurrjens gave up three hits in 7 2-3 innings, Yunel Escobar hit a three-run homer and surging Atlanta beat Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Wednesday night. Escobar's third-inning homer gave the Braves the 4-0 lead over Lincecum, who lost for the first time…
The Boston Red Sox added some depth a day after they dropped out of first in the AL East, and got rid of shortstop Julio Lugo in one of Wednesday's deals. Boston traded Lugo and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Chris Duncan, announcing the swap hours after they acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers.
When Oakland pitching coach Curt Young ran to the mound after five pitches to tinker with Trevor Cahill's mechanics, it looked as if it could be a rough day for the Athletics. When Cahill had to go down to the bullpen just one inning later to stay loose during a seven-run inning for Oakland's offense, the game had already been decided.
Texas general manager Jon Daniels was avoiding shaking hands with anyone Wednesday, wary of a nasty flu bug making its way through the Rangers' clubhouse. Texas put closer Frank Francisco on the disabled list Monday with a mild case of pneumonia and had at least four other players with the flu or flu-like symptoms two days later.
Todd Helton received a lengthy standing ovation from fans and his teammates after smacking his 500th career double. That was simply a warmup act. Helton followed up the milestone double by hitting the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, propelling the Colorado Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
