The Juice is back for its fifth season of fun! Stop by each weekday for an ample serving of news from the action, plus great photos, stats and video highlights.
The numbers all go to 11: Could it get any worse for the Cleveland Indians? Why, yes! The Tribe has come within one of a franchise record with its 11th straight loss, a demoralizing-looking 7-5 defeat against Minnesota on Tuesday night. The Indians led 5-1 in the sixth inning and closer Chris Perez was called on to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth, but he blew his second save in three days. Perez called his performance "unacceptable" and added that "it stinks," but also added that "it could always get worse." Oh, joy. Cleveland is used to losing, but this is what Rachel Phelps dreamed about in "Major League." Presumably, he's not tipping his cap to acknowledge a standing ovation here.
Gettin' Miggy with it: The Detroit Tigers climbed to within a half-game of first place in the AL Central after beating the Yankees 6-5 for their sixth straight victory. Miguel Cabrera, also streaking, hit a home run for the third straight game. The Yankees scored twice against Tigers closer Jose Valverde in the ninth — making him a twice-baked Potato? — but Detroit held on for its 16th win in 17 games at Comerica Park. And, after the Royals beat the White Sox 5-2 behind Bruce Chen, the Tigers closed the gap in the division.
Permanent wave: Behind the apparently youthful Bartolo Colon, the Athletics snapped a three-game losing streak, beating the Angels 10-4 to jump back in front of them for second place in the AL West. Colon, 39, is working on a scoreless streak of 22 1/3 innings after he allowed four hits over seven. Los Anaheim's C.J. Wilson allowed six runs, but only three were earned because he's just too cool of a cat to allow six earned. Four A's hit home runs — Josh Reddick, Adam Rosales, Derek Norris and Jonny Gomes.
Too much C.J.: Chris Johnson, that is, who hit two home runs to help Arizona rally from a one-run deficit and beat the Pirates 10-4. The D-backs scored seven runs combined in the eighth and ninth innings. Jason Grilli had some issues for the Bucs, who lost for the third time in four games and had been 53-0 when leading after seven innings.
New Ranger in town: The American League ain't so tough, Ryan Dempster. In his second start for the Texas Rangers after coming over in a trade from the Cubs, Dempster pitched shutout ball into the seventh against the Red Sox. Texas won 6-3 at Fenway Park.
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Quote of the Day:
"It's weird going into a game just trying to make it out healthy. Sometimes it's little things that are important, and today was huge stepping stone. There was nothing about today that was negative. No setbacks, I felt great.'' — Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays after a 4-1 victory against the Blue Jays. Longoria went 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly (just missing a grand slam) after missing 85 games because of a torn left hamstring.
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Photo of the Day: Is that Mr. Met's head in there?
The Mets unveiled the logo for the 2013 All-Star Game, to be hosted at Citi Field.
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Three Facts for the Water Cooler:
• Cole Hamels tossed a shutout in a regular-season game for the first time since 2009 in a 3-0 victory for the Phillies against the Braves.
• Buster Posey is batting .448 in the second half to lead the majors. He hit a three-run homer in the Giants' 4-2 victory at St. Louis.
• Milwaukee rookie Mike Fiers took a perfect game into the seventh inning in a 3-1 victory against the Reds. He has a 1.03 ERA with 61 strikeouts in as many innings so far.
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