May 8: Nabholz Remains Untouchable, and Bankhead Keeps it Clean
The Pirates’ Chris Nabholz continues to look like a legitimate ace, spinning a 9-inning shutout over the Sun Rays with just 4 hits allowed. His season line? 6–0 in 8 starts, and the team is undefeated when he takes the hill. In his last three outings: 25 IP, 3 ER, 3 wins. That’s frontline material.
Scott Bankhead didn’t finish the job, but he did the heavy lifting. 11 strikeouts over 7 shutout innings helped the Reds edge the Red Sox 1–0 in a pitcher’s duel.
Jim Neidlinger finally stopped the bleeding in Detroit. After a nine-game skid, he tossed 8 strong innings and helped the Tigers sneak past Baltimore 2–1.
May 9: Daal Delivers, McDowell Gets No Help, and Gilkey Goes Yard
Omar Daal reminded everyone why the Giants are 30–9. He hurled a complete-game three-hit shutout with 9 Ks and zero walks in a 4–0 win over the Dodgers. After two rough starts, Daal looks locked in again.
Jack McDowell deserved better. The Rockies starter went 9.1 innings of shutout ball before handing it off to the pen. That’s when it fell apart—Timlin gave up the game-winner in the bottom of the 10th. The Padres are chasing the Rockies in the standings, and this one stings in Colorado.
Bernard Gilkey powered the Spiders past the Yankees with two homers and four RBIs in a 7–6 win. Cleveland’s offense has quietly been one of the league’s peskiest.
May 10: Hernandez Hammers Mets, Tigers Toss Another Gem, and Giants Let One Slip
Jose Hernandez broke loose in a big way, going 3-for-5 with a triple, a homer, and six RBIs as the Expos thumped the Mets 14–8. Montreal’s offense is clicking, and now they’ve built a comfortable lead in the division. The Mets, for now, are stuck seven games back.
The Tigers followed up Neidlinger’s gem with another from Ramon Martinez, who threw a two-hit shutout against the Orioles. That’s back-to-back elite starts and a possible sign Detroit’s snapping out of their funk.
Meanwhile, Floyd Youmans deserved a win—but didn’t get it. The Giants righty went 8 strong, allowing just one run. Then came the dreaded ninth inning meltdown—reliever Myers gave up two runs, and the Dodgers walked it off 3–2. That’s the second straight late-inning loss for San Francisco, and this one might have a ripple effect in a tight division race.