>>Pirates Crush Cardinals
(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Pedro Alvarez
homered twice as part of a four-hit, four-RBI night to lead the Pirates in a 9-0
rout of the Cardinals. Jake Westbrook was shelled for seven runs and 11 hits in
five innings to fall to 13-and-10. St. Louis lost for only the second time in
its last eight contests. Cards catcher Yadier Molina left after a collision
with Josh Harrison in the second inning. The series wraps up this evening when
Joe Kelly takes the mound against Wandy Rodriguez.
>>Molina Exits After Brutal Collision
(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina left Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh after a violent collision at home plate with Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison. The play happened in the second
inning on a basehit to right field. Harrison attempted to score from second
when Carlos Beltran's throw caused a close play at the plate. Later in the
game, Jake Westbrook plunked Harrison and warnings were issued to both benches.
Molina has been diagnosed with upper back, shoulder and neck strains.
>>Brew Crew Downs Cubs
(Chicago, IL) -- Jeff Bianchi hit a three-run homer to power the Brewers in a 4-1 win over the Cubs. Travis Wood did all he could for Chicago, going seven innings and allowing three runs to
suffer the loss. Wood also gave the Cubs their only run of the game with a solo
homer. Chicago managed just three hits off Milwaukee pitching. The Cubs have
lost two in-a-row and seven of their last nine. Jeff Samardzija [[ suh-MARD-juh
]] gets the nod opposite Michael Fiers [[ FIRES ]] in this evening's third
installment.
>>Cubs Make Seven-Year Castro Deal Official
(Chicago, IL) -- Starlin Castro will be in the Windy City for a while. The Chicago Cubs officially agreed to a seven-year contract with the 22-year-old shortstop on Tuesday. The "Chicago Tribune" is reporting the deal is worth $60-million, including a one-million-dollar buyout. The pact also has
an option for an eighth season at $16-million and Castro will receive a
$6-million signing bonus. Castro, a two-time All-Star, is hitting .276 with 12
homers and 63 RBI this season. Last season, he became the youngest player to
lead the National League in hits with 207 at the age of 21.
>>Orioles Blank White Sox Behind Tillman
(Baltimore, MD) -- Chris Tillman outshined Cy Young hopeful Chris Sale as the Orioles shutout the
White Sox, 6-0. Tillman improved to 7-and-2 with seven frames of one-hit ball.
Sale gave up four runs in as many innings and struggled with his command to fall
to 15-and-5. Adam Dunn managed to reach base twice with a walk and a hit.
Chicago has dropped the first two contests of the four-game series after winning
six in-a-row. Dylan Axelrod will toe the rubber against Joe Saunders in
tonight's third installment.
>>Floyd Lands On DL
(Baltimore, MD) -- The Chicago White Sox have placed pitcher Gavin Floyd on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain. The move is retroactive to August 27th. The 29-year-old Floyd
left his last start on August 26th after two innings with elbow soreness. Floyd
missed time in July due to tendinitis in his right elbow. Floyd is 9-and-9 with
a 4.55 earned run average in 24 starts this season for the White Sox.
>>Rams Gear Up For Baltimore
(St. Louis, MO) -- The Rams are gearing up for their final preseason contest tomorrow night against the
Baltimore Ravens. The game will provide a final test for many bubble players
looking to make the roster. St. Louis will have to cut down to the
league-mandated 53-man roster by 8 p.m. Friday. The Rams kick off the regular
season September 9th in Detroit against the Lions.
