MLB Nightly 9: Corey Kluber strikes out 12; Mets win in 14 innings

Alec Brzezinski

•
MLB Nightly 9: Corey Kluber strikes out 12; Mets win in 14 innings image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.

Remember when Corey Kluber was 0-5 with a 5.04 ERA just 10 days ago? Neither do we. The 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner still sports a 1-5 record, but after 30 strikeouts and only one earned run in his last 17 innings, Kluber seems to be back on track. In fact, his 30 strikeouts in back-to-back starts are the second most in the modern era behind Kerry Wood's 33 in 1998.

MORE: Astros pitcher dons Batman cleats | Loria defends Marlins' hiring | Meet Yoan Moncada

Here are more highlights from Monday’s games:

Impact performers

C — Chris Iannetta, Angels: Iannetta went 3 for 4 with two runs, a home run and two RBIs in a losing effort.

1B — Albert Pujols, Angels: Pujols went 2 for 5 with a home run, but is still batting a measly .237.

2B — Steve Tolleson, Blue Jays: Tolleson played his part in the Blue Jays' big win over the Angels, going 2 for 5 and scoring two runs.

SS — Ryan Goins, Blue Jays: Goins went 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.

3B — Yasmany Tomas, Diamondbacks: Tomas went 3 for 5 with two RBIs and flashed some nice glove work in an extra-inning win against the Marlins.

OF — Carlos Gomez, Brewers: Gomez went 2 for 5 in a 3-2 win against the Tigers, and made those two hits count. The first was a leadoff home run against Kyle Lobstein, the eighth such homer of his career, and his second was a go-ahead single.

DH — Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: Joey Bats finally seems to be coming out of his shell. He went 3 for 4 with three runs scored, a home run and three RBIs in a 10-6 win against the Angels.

SP — Matt Harvey, Mets: Gotham has a new hero when Harvey's on the mound. This time, the ace spun eight innings of scoreless baseball while striking out nine.

Key injuries

Phillies starting pitcher Chad Billingsley is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain in his right shoulder.

Yankees starting pitcher Chase Whitley will have Tommy John surgery on Tuesday.

Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker will have surgery Tuesday to stabilize the fracture in his right elbow, but will not need a third Tommy John surgery.

Surprise performers

Good: Starting pitching: Between the A's-Astros, Indians-White Sox, Mets-Cardinals and Diamondbacks-Marlins games, starting pitchers allowed just nine earned runs in 58 innings. That's pretty impressive.

Bad: Run support: Kluber allowed one run in nine innings, Chris Sale gave up one run in eight innings, Harvey allowed zero runs in eight innings and John Lackey allowed one run in seven innings, yet none of those sterling performances resulted in a win.

Web gems

Cardinals outfielder Randal Grichuk laid out to make this grab:

Alexei Ramirez gets up!

Sam Fuld conquers the hill:

Facts of the day

Bryce Harper, like Rickie Fowler, has responded to being voted most overrated by his peers:

It looks like all of that young talent is starting to pay off for the Astros:

Carlos Sanchez hit a walkoff single in the bottom of the 10th to give the White Sox their sixth straight win.

Reactions

Newly appointed Marlins manager Dan Jennings said on his move from GM to manager:

"There's going to be cynics. There's going to be critics. If I was sitting in your chairs, absolutely (I'd question the move). And I fully expect to be judged on the body of work that we will accomplish and pursue on that field nightly. You know what? It is outside the box. It's unconventional."

Off the field

Indians starting pitcher Bruce Chen announced his retirement after being designated for assignment.

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth underwent an MRI on his ailing left wrist.

The Orioles placed starting pitcher Bud Norris on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 11, with bronchitis.

Scores

American League

Blue Jays 10, Angels 6

White Sox 2, Indians 1, 10 innings

Athletics 2, Astros 1

National League

Diamondbacks 3, Marlins 2, 13 innings

Mets 2, Cardinals 1, 14 innings

Phillies 4, Rockies 3

Interleague

Brewers 3, Tigers 2

A look ahead

The three best games Tuesday (all times Eastern):

Yankees (22-17) at Nationals (22-17), 7:05 p.m.: Gio Gonzalez (3-2) and Nathan Eovaldi (3-1) square off in what should be a good matchup of  two top clubs. The Nationals, led by Harper, have shaken off the early-season rust and are starting to look like the World Series contenders many predicted they'd be.

Cardinals (25-13) at Mets (23-16), 7:10 p.m.: Michael Wacha (5-0) is starting to establish himself as one of the game's best young pitchers, and has the chance to go deep into this game after Monday's 14-inning game. 

Dodgers (24-13) at Giants (20-18), 10:15 p.m.: The Giants have turned their season around, in large part because of the play of shortstop Brandon Crawford. who is on the brink of a breakout season. Still, this division rival could halt that run.

Alec Brzezinski