MLB scores, highlights: Mets beat Rockies 14-9 for second straight game

Alec Brzezinski

MLB scores, highlights: Mets beat Rockies 14-9 for second straight game 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.

No, this is not déjà vu. The Mets actually beat the Rockies 14-9 for the second straight game Saturday.

New York joined the Red Sox as the only other team to win consecutive games by that same score. Boston beat the St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox by that tally in 1934.

The first game was dominated by Yoenis Cespedes' five hits and three home runs Friday, but Saturday's installment was an all-around team effort. The Mets finished the game with 21 hits, with batters one through eight all getting at least two hits. Curtis Granderson, Wilmer Flores and Juan Lagares led the way with three hits apiece. Cespedes added two hits, while Juan Uribe chipped in with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored.

The Rockies, on the other hand, just lost two games after scoring a combined 18 runs. They are the first team in MLB history to lose consecutive games 14-9.

Here are more highlights from Saturday's games:

Impact Players:

C — A.J. Pierzynski, Braves: The 38-year-old ageless wonder continues to dazzle in Atlanta. This time he went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, raising his average to .294 for the season.

1B — Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks: Goldschmidt broke out of his slump in a big way. He went 4 for 5 with three runs scored, two home runs, four RBIs and a stolen base in a win against the Reds.

2B — Jose Altuve, Astros: Altuve went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and a solo home run, his 10th of the season. He also raised his average to a cool .533 against the Dodgers' Zack Greinke.

SS — Francisco Lindor, Indians: Lindor went 3 for 4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in a loss to the Yankees.

3B — Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays: Forget Mike Trout, Donaldson continued to show why he's this year's MVP. He went 4 for 5 with a home run, three runs scored and six RBIs in a huge win against the Angels. He became the first player to 100 RBIs on the season.

OF — Ender Inciarte and A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks: Inciarte went 2 for 4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Pollock went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and a stolen base and has 15 hits in his past three games.

DH — Brian McCann, Yankees: McCann went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in a win over the Indians.

SP — Gerrit Cole, Pirates: Cole allowed just one unearned run in seven strong innings against the Giants. He gave up just three hits and struck out eight in a no-decision.

Key Injuries:

Mariners outfielder Mark Trumbo was scratched from the Mariners' starting lineup because of a sore left knee.

Web Gems:

Brewers outfielder Shane Peterson made a spectacular diving grab, then threw it to third for the double play:

Jackie Bradley Jr. doesn't discriminate between fair or foul when making great plays:

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Billy Burns flying across the outfield to make a catch:

Surprise Performers:

Good: Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Michael A. Taylor: Rendon hit just his second home run of the season in a 2-for-2 effort. He also added two walks and a stolen base in one of his best games in an injury-plagued season. Taylor clubbed his third home run in as many games Saturday, giving him 13 for the season.

Bad: The Los Angeles Angels: The Angels were beaten handily by the Blue Jays for the second straight night, losing 15-3 and falling to third in the AL West. They are now four and a half games back of the Astros and on the brink of losing a wild card spot. 

Facts of the Day:

Starling Marte was the Pirates' hero on Saturday:

Pirates shortstop Jung-ho Kang made his two hits count against the Giants:

His first of many:

Nick Swisher went 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs and tied his old teammate's record:

The Pirates bullpen wins again:

Khris Davis sent this pitch into the cheap seats:

The Rays aren't exactly clutch:

Off the Field:

The Astros celebrated Craig Biggio for his Baseball Hall of Fame induction and retired his No. 7 jersey before Saturday's game:

The Mets placed Lucas Duda on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury.

The Athletics activated relief pithcer Sean Doolittle from the 60-day DL.

The Mets acquired outfielder Eric Young Jr. from the Braves for cash considerations.

The Astros optioned outfielder Preston Tucker to Triple-A Fresno and recalled starting pitcher Lance McCullers from Double-A Corpus Christi to start Sunday.

Reactions:

"Yeah, we were playing with fire," Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole said via MLB.com. "We were up against the wall and had to make some pitches. Fortunately, it went our way. In those situations, you try to minimize damage the best you can."

The bat boy deserved some love after making this play:

Scores:

AL:

Yankees 6, Indians 2
Rangers 5, Tigers 3
Twins 3, Orioles 2
Royals 6, Red Sox 3
Rays 5, Athletics 4
White Sox 6, Mariners 3 (10)
Blue Jays 15, Angels 3

NL:

Cubs 9, Braves 7
Pirates 3, Giants 2
Nationals 6, Brewers 1
Phillies 4, Marlins 2
Diamondbacks 11, Reds 7
Mets 14, Rockies 9
Padres 8, Cardinals 0

Interleague:

Astros 3, Dodgers 1

A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)

Dodgers (67-55) at Astros (68-56) 2:10 p.m.: The Astros re-called Lance McCullers Jr. (5-4, 3.17 ERA) from Double-A Corpus Christi to start, but didn't do him any favors, as Clayton Kershaw (10-6, 2.34) will toe the rubber for Los Angeles. The last time we saw McCullers, he was shelled for seven runs (six earned) in a third of an inning. But he had been pitching well before that start, so a rebound performance should be expected.

Blue Jays (68-55) at Angels (63-60) 3:35 p.m.: The Blue Jays remain just a half game behind the Yankees for the AL East. They'll send R.A. Dickey (7-10, 4.14 ERA) to the mound to face Garrett Richards (12-9, 3.50 ERA) on Sunday as Toronto looks for the sweep.

Giants (66-57) at Pirates (73-48) 8:08 p.m.: Ryan Vogelsong (9-8, 3.93 ERA) faces Francisco Liriano (8-6, 3.35 ERA) to cap a thrilling series. Starling Marte played the hero on Saturday to give Pittsburgh a walkoff win, but San Francisco still has a chance to win the series.

Alec Brzezinski