How The Rivals Did: Anthony Ranaudo Has Solid MLB Debut

After one of the most hectic trade deadlines in recent memory, our focus finally returned to games on Friday. Some new faces shined, and others… well not so much.

Boston Red Sox 4, New York Yankees 3

Anthony Ranaudo, one of the top prospects in the Red Sox system, was called up to make his big league debut in this game after a flurry of deadline deals that left them without Jon Lester and John Lackey. He would turn in a solid debut, earning the win by going 6.0 innings and allowing 2 runs, though he did walk 4 and strike out just 2. Ranaudo has the potential to be a number 2 or 3 starter, and we could see him in the Sox rotation for years to come. Offensively the Sox took advantage of some clutch hitting, going 4 for 5 with runners in scoring position. Dustin Pedroia led the way, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Newly-acquired Allen Craig smacked a double in his Red Sox debut.

Chris Capuano gave the Yankees a chance to win, but he wasn’t great, going 6.1 innings and allowing 4 runs. Their bullpen kept them in the game, but ultimately the offense could not do enough to pull out with the win. Carlos Beltran had a nice night, going 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Nothing was doing for a pair of Yankees deadline pickups, as Stephen Drew went 0 for 4 and Martin Prado went 0 for 2 in their debuts for the Yanks.

Houston Astros 3, Toronto Blue Jays 1

The Blue Jays have been hot of lately, winning 6 games in a row heading into this game, but they could not extend that streak. J.A. Happ had a great start for the Blue Jays, throwing 7.o innings and giving up just 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. However Aaron Loup would blow the tie by giving up 2 runs and getting just 1 out, forcing Chad Jenkins to secure the final 2 outs. Regardless they still had a chance to come back, but the offense did next to nothing, managing just 6 hits and getting 1 run. Melky Cabrera was the only Jay on base multiple times as he went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Baltimore Orioles 2, Seattle Mariners 1

A classic pitcher’s duel, the Orioles wound up coming out on top–much to the chagrin of the rest of the AL East. An unearned run thanks to an error by Mariners shortstop Chris Taylor would be the difference maker in this game. O’s starter Wei-Yin Chen was brilliant, throwing 7.1 innings and allowing 1 run while striking out 8. Andrew Miller, acquired at the deadline by the Orioles, made his team debut in relief, throwing 0.2 shutout innings. Then Zach Britton earned his 22nd save of the year with a scoreless inning of his own. Britton hasn’t gotten much credit, but as the Orioles closer he has put up an outstanding 1.62 ERA this season.

In what has seemed a recurring theme with the Orioles lately, Manny Machado led the offense, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. In July Machado hit a stout .333/.356/.565 line, and it appears he is carrying that over to August. No other Oriole had multiple hits, but J.J. Hardy did go 1 for 2 with a walk and an RBI.

Los Angeles Angels 5, Tampa Bay Rays 3

Jeremy Hellickson struggled as the Rays lost their first game since the trade deadline. Check out our in-depth recap of the game.

Here’s the updated AL East standings after today’s action, with the Orioles still entrenched in first place.

1. Baltimore (61-47) –
2. Toronto (60-51) 2.5 GB
3. New York (55-53) 6.0 GB
4. Tampa Bay (53-56) 8.5 GB
5. Boston (49-60) 12.5 GB

Tomorrow’s East pitching matchups are as follows

4:05- New York (Shane Greene) vs. Boston (Allen Webster)
7:05- Seattle (James Paxton) vs. Baltimore  (Michael Gonzalez)
7:10- Los Angeles (C.J. Wilson) vs. Tampa Bay (Chris Archer)
7:10- Toronto (R.A. Dickey) vs. Houston (Brett Oberholtzer)