Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
A couple of years ago, Rick Porcello was a struggling member of the Tigers who fans just didn't want to see pitch anymore. Now, as a member of the Red Sox, he finds himself in the thick of the American League Cy Young race.
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Porcello gave up three runs in seven innings Monday to help Boston beat the Rays 9-4. Porcello earned his MLB-leading 18th win in the process. He also became just the fifth pitcher to win his first 13 home decisions since 1900. Dallas Keuchel (15) did it last season.
When the Red Sox received Porcello in a 2014 offseason trade that sent Yoenis Cespedes to the Tigers, many thought Boston had lost its mind sending a talented slugger away for a pitcher who had never lived up to expectations. But Red Sox fans are smiling now.
Porcello is building a case to compete with Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels for the AL Cy Young award this season with a glimmering 3.26 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He has never been a strikeout pitcher, but he has a respectable 152 this season.
Offensively, outfielder Mookie Betts led the way Monday, collecting two hits, two runs scored, a home run and two RBIs. He also joined Ted Williams (1939) and Tony Conigliaro (1965) as the only Red Sox players to hit 30 homers in a season before turning 24.
Player of the day
Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark tossed seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts in a 4-0 win against the Phillies. Roark improved to 14-7 with a 2.87 ERA on the season. He's 3-0 with a 0.64 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this year.
Highlights
Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes' walk-off home run was great, but his bat flip was even better:
And the award for best bat flip in a regular season game goes to Yoenis Cespedes. #walkoff pic.twitter.com/PhWIrSaYvI
— Bob Cusack (@BobCusack) August 30, 2016
Three things to know
— Jarrod Saltalamacchia helped the Tigers beat the White Sox 4-3 by smashing his fourth-career go-ahead home run in the eighth inning or later (second time this season).
— Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez struck out a career-high 13 batters against the Brewers. All 18 of his outs through six innings either came via strikeout or groundout. Martinez is the third pitcher to strike out at least 11 batters against the same team twice this season. The others are Jake Arrieta (against the Pirates) and Jon Gray (Padres).
— Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki went 2 for 4 in a 2-1 loss against the Mets. During the game, he recorded his 3,011th hit, passing Wade Boggs for 27th on the all-time list.
What's next:
Blue Jays (75-56) at Orioles (71-60), 7:05 p.m. ET — J.A. Happ (17-4 3.19 ERA) takes the mound looking to keep pace with Porcello for the most wins in MLB. He will take on Ubaldo Jimenez (5-11, 6.62 ERA).
White Sox (63-67) at Tigers (70-61), 7:10 p.m. ET — With Cameron Maybin likely out for a few games with another thumb injury, Detroit will need to win with power and pitching. Rising star Daniel Norris (2-2, 3.63 ERA) will face off against Anthony Ranaudo.