July 17 – Hamilton, Strawberry, and McDowell Shine
Joey Hamilton carved up the Twins with surgical precision, tossing a complete-game three-hitter as the Reds rolled 7–2. The right-hander struck out nine and walked none, retiring 15 of the first 16 batters he faced. Supported by a four-run fifth, Hamilton notched his 14th win as Cincinnati widened their lead atop the Federal League East.
In Chicago, Darryl Strawberry wasted no time setting the tone. The Spiders slugger blasted a two-run shot in the first inning, added a pair of walks, and crossed the plate three times in a 10–6 win over the White Sox. Cleveland cashed in on six walks and six Chicago errors to keep their offense humming.
And in Colorado, Jack McDowell went the distance in a 9–2 rout of the Expos. The righty scattered four hits and fanned seven, handing Montreal just their second loss in the last ten games. The Rockies blew it open early with a seven-run first, and McDowell made it stand.
July 18 – Daniels, Burnitz, and Mitchell Dominate
Kal Daniels turned Riverfront Stadium into his personal launchpad, belting two homers and driving in five as the Twins outslugged the Reds 12–10. Daniels reached base three times, scored three runs, and helped key a game-defining sixth-inning rally. Frank Thomas chipped in with a three-run homer of his own, reminding fans he’s still a force in the middle of that Minnesota order.
In Kansas City, Jeromy Burnitz did all the damage himself. The Royals right fielder launched a pair of home runs—including a bases-clearing shot in the seventh—to lift KC to a 6–2 win over Boston. Rheal Cormier backed the offense with 8.1 innings of three-hit ball and eight strikeouts. The Royals are now winners of ten straight.
Meanwhile, John Mitchell twirled a two-hit shutout against the Blue Jays in Toronto. The veteran righty was in full command, walking just two and fanning eight in a 6–0 Oakland win. It was only the A’s second win in their last eight, but Mitchell gave them something to build on.
July 19 – Giles Slugs, Avery Shines, and Pedro Dazzles
Brian Giles did everything but pitch for the Cardinals—finishing 4-for-7 with a homer and five RBIs—but it wasn’t enough to stave off the Pirates. Pittsburgh walked off St. Louis 11–10 in 12 innings, thanks to Craig Shipley’s game-winning double. In a wild back-and-forth affair with 32 hits, the Bucs outlasted one of the NL’s best.
Steve Avery was lights out in Los Angeles, blanking the Dodgers over eight dominant innings as the Orioles rolled 7–0. The lefty punched out ten and allowed just four hits, earning his seventh win and extending Baltimore’s mini-streak to four games.
And then there’s Pedro. Martinez overwhelmed Colorado hitters at Mile High, racking up 14 strikeouts across 8.1 innings in a 7–2 Montreal win. He held the Rockies to just four hits and gave the Expos a much-needed boost as they look to fend off surging Toronto and Washington in the UL East.
July 20 – Castillo, Pettitte, and Piazza Power the Day
Frank Castillo made it look easy again, blanking the Seattle Pilots across eight innings of two-hit work in a 3–0 Mets win. The right-hander improved to 10–7 and continues to be a stabilizing force in New York’s rotation, especially during their current 11–2 stretch.
Andy Pettitte gave Washington everything he had in a tense 2–1, 10-inning win over the Giants. He tossed eight innings of four-hit ball with nine strikeouts and watched from the dugout as Willie Greene delivered the walk-off double. The Senators remain firmly in the UL playoff picture.
And at Wrigley, Mike Piazza put the Cubs on his back. The All-Star catcher crushed a two-run homer and later drew a bases-loaded walk to cap a four-RBI night in an 8–5 win over the Yankees. Chicago’s offense struck for five runs in the fourth and never looked back, keeping their hold on third in the FL East.
Quick Hits:
- The Royals have now won 11 straight, driven by elite starting pitching and timely power from Burnitz, Larkin, and Veras.
- Pedro Martinez’s 14 Ks push his season total to 176, tops in the United League.
- Kal Daniels is heating up—he’s hit four homers and driven in 11 over his last six games.
- The Yankees are spiraling with seven straight losses, dropping them into last place in the UL East.