Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball
Jake Arrieta was at it again Saturday as the Cubs ace breezed past the Pirates 8-2 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
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The reigning National League Cy Young winner struck out 11 batters while allowing two runs in eight innings. The win moved Arrieta to 7-0 on the season with a 1.29 ERA.
What's more, Arrieta is 18-0 since his last regular-season loss last July. His only loss since then was against the Mets in the postseason.
Arrieta was helped offensively by first baseman Anthony RIzzo, who went 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBI. Jason Heyward added three hits and scored two runs.
The Cubs (27-8) have the best record in baseball and have a chance to sweep the Pirates on Sunday.
Player of the Day:
Rays starting pitcher Matt Andriese tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout in a 6-0 win against the Athletics. The 26-year-old was terrific in just his second start of the season. Now 2-0, Andriese has allowed only one earned run in 16 innings pitched this year.
Highlight:
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop bashes his second home run (a grand slam) of the game in a 9-3 win against the Tigers:
Talk about insurance runs … https://t.co/B5lwHdMUgB #PapaSlamhttps://t.co/rIbj6saZaa
— MLB (@MLB) May 15, 2016
Three things to know:
— Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz tripled and homered in the same game for the first time since July 15, 2006. It's the fourth time he's accomplished the feat in 2,291 games. Ortiz also collected his 20th career walk-off hit. His home run moved him to 22nd on the all-time home run list.
— Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman all pitched in the same game for the Yankees for first time Saturday. They combined for eight strikeouts, one hit and no runs in 3 1/3 innings pitched.
— The Braves have two shutouts this season — against the Mets and Royals — making Atlanta the first team to record its first two shutouts versus reigning pennant winners.
What's Next:
Marlins (19-17) at Nationals (23-14) 1:35 p.m. ET — After splitting their doubleheader Saturday, these National League East rivals will square off as the Marlins try to even the series. Washington will have Joe Ross (3-2, 2.99 ERA) on the mound. He will try to keep his promising season going against Jose Fernandez (4-2, 3.54 ERA).
Pirates (18-17) at Cubs (27-8) 2:20 p.m. ET — Chicago will send Jon Lester (4-1, 1.96 ERA) to the mound as the Cubs look to complete the sweep against their NL Central rivals. Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole (3-3, 3.78 ERA) will try to stop him.