#279---TB @ BOS, 4/14/2013

Through seven, Clay Buchholz had needed 99 pitches to record eleven strikes with four walks and no hits allowed. But Dan Johnson singled to right on an 0-1 pitch to lead off the eighth, and Desmond Jennings doubled after a double play. It was still a brilliant outing for Buchholz, with Andrew Miller pitching the ninth. The BoSox got all they needed when the first five batters of the third reached against Alex Cobb, leading to a four-spot. 

#278---CLE @ SEA, 4/19/2012

Josh Tomlin was his efficient self, not walking a batter and needing just 96 pitches to get through eight; he allowed five hits, four of which were doubles, but kept the ball in Safeco Field and allowed just one run. Through seven King Felix had been better and flashier, yielding Cleveland just two hits and a walk while fanning nine, but the eighth was a little more interesting. After striking out Shelley Duncan, three straight hits (two of the infield variety) loaded the bases. Felix than fanned Jason Kipnis and Shin-Soo Choo swinging.

But having made 126 pitches, the King departed for Brandon League, and two walks and a single set up Jack Hannahan’s go ahead single to left, with pinch-runner Aaron Cunningham scoring the go-ahead run. Chris Perez needed just ten pitches to set down Seattle’s 3-4-5 of Suzuki-Smoak-Seager (Saunders was batting sixth for good measure), and a great Hernandez start went for naught.

#277---DET @ NYA, 4/2/2011

 

The Yankees pounded Brad Penny for eight runs over 4 1/3, with three-run homers from Mark Teixeira and Russell Martin (facing reliever Brad Thomas but scoring two of Penny’s runners) the big blows. Brayan Villarreal made his major league debut in the sixth, and the first batter he faced was A-Rod.  He took him deep to center-left for homers #1/7 for Villarreal and #614/696 for Rodriguez. 

That made it 10-3; Victor Martinez’ two-run shot in the eighth got Detroit closer, and in the ninth the Tigers had made it 10-6 with runners at the corners and two outs after a throwing error by Derek Jeter that should have ended the game. Mariano Rivera was summoned to face Miguel Cabrera, and got a three-pitch save: two fouls and a grounder to second on what must have been the most Jeterian of swings.

#276---CHA @ CLE, 4/18/2010

The Indians bombed Gavin Floyd for seven runs as he failed to record an out in the second, with Shin-Soo Choo’s grand slam as the big blow. Over seven innings the ChiSox bullpen allowed just two hits and two walks, but their offense only scored four runs so it was for naught. Random notes:

* Juan Pierre stole three bases

* Alexei Ramirez had three hits

* Omar Vizquel started at third for the White Sox 

* Michael Brantly hit ninth for the Indians behind Luis Valbuena, Mark Grudzielanek (who was DHing), and Mike Redmond