May 14: Sele Rebounds, Johnson and Clark Go Deep, and the Drama Keeps Coming
Aaron Sele bounced back in a big way. After getting shelled by the Giants in his previous start, he threw a complete-game shutout—9 innings, 4 hits, 8 Ks—as the Dodgers edged the Tigers 1–0. Sometimes you don’t need run support when you pitch like that.
Charles Johnson powered the Pirates with a two-homer, four-RBI night as they beat the Rangers 8–5. That win gave Pittsburgh some much-needed breathing room over the chasing Reds in the division.
Will Clark came up big for the Blue Jays, launching two homers in a 3-for-4 performance as Toronto walked off the Pilots 6–5 with two runs in the bottom of the 9th. Seattle has found ways to stay in games, but this one slipped away.
Also Notable:
- Cardinals walked off the Reds in the 10th, keeping the division race spicy.
- Senators beat Oakland 5–4 with a bottom-of-the-9th run—Washington refuses to fade quietly.
May 15: Mussina Breaks the Drought, Valdez Gets Burned, and Wilson Shines in a Loss
Mike Mussina hadn’t picked up a win in over a month—but he changed that in a big way with a dominant line: 9 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 9 Ks as the Reds beat the Twins 4–1. A timely bounce-back with the division tightening.
Tough luck for Ismael Valdez. The Padres right-hander spun 8 innings, 2 ER, 9 Ks, but watched the Tigers walk it off in the 9th to hand him the loss. Sometimes, the game just doesn’t care how well you pitched.
Dan Wilson kept raking for the Cardinals—3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs—but Pittsburgh got the last laugh, winning 5–3 behind timely hits and another solid bullpen showing.
May 16: Osborne Cruises, Ogea Awakens, and Royals Hold the Line
Donovan Osborne delivered a gem for the Dodgers, tossing a complete-game 3-hit shutout with 5 Ks as L.A. rolled the Orioles 6–1. The Dodgers rotation has suddenly become a serious problem for opponents.
Chad Ogea finally snapped a month-long winless stretch, going 7 innings with 10 strikeouts in a big win over the Giants. That keeps the Senators just half a game out of a Wild Card spot, though the road ahead includes slugging it out with both the Mets and Blue Jays.
Kevin Brown came through when Kansas City needed it most. The Royals ace went 8 shutout innings with 8 Ks to shut down Boston, 3–0. With St. Louis breathing down their necks and the Cubs lurking just 3.5 games back, every outing counts.
Other Highlights:
- Blue Jays edged the A’s in extras, 5–3, after both teams traded late-inning runs.
- Mets outlasted the Pilots 7–4 in extras after Seattle tied it in the 9th, scoring three in the 10th to finish the job.