Around the Bases: Pitching dominates Wednesday’s matchups

Astros 4, Cardinals 3: The Astros' bats broke out about as much as the Astros' bats can in the fourth inning, as the team scored all four of their runs on four singles and two walks. That was just enough run support for Erik Bedard, who allowed all three Cardinals runs in six innings of work.

Mets 3, White Sox 0: Shaun Marcum doesn't seem ready to relinquish his starting spot. With rumors abound that he may be removed from the rotation, Marcum allowed four hits over eight shutout innings. New York earned three runs playing small ball in the fifth while also receiving a little help on an Alexei Ramirez fielding error.

Angels 7, Tigers 4: The Angels found themselves in a jam when Tommy Hanson felt tightness in his forearm and could not make his start. Billy Buckner filled in and threw three innings, allowing three runs. Los Angeles put a few crooked numbers on the board over the course of the game, however, and pulled out the win. Buckner's start did result in an interesting fact:

Billy Buckner is the 6th Angels pitcher to start on 0 days rest and the 1st to start the day after finishing a game since Al Levine in 2001.

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 26, 2013

Rangers 8, Yankees 5: Two errors proved costly to the Yankees as the Rangers went on to score six of their runs following defensive miscues. Three of those runs were unearned, making the difference in the game.

Indians 4, Orioles 3: Scott Kazmir had a no-hitter through six innings, but allowed a hit to Manny Machado to start the seventh inning. Machado would come around to score, though Kazmir was still phenomenal. He would not get the win, however, as the Indians bullpen almost blew the game when Joe Smith relinquished the lead with two earned runs in the eighth. Cleveland's bats won the game with two more runs in the ninth, however, and Vinnie Pestano closed out the game to secure the victory.

Nationals 3, Diamondbacks 2: Jordan Zimmermann is unstoppable at home, with this victory bringing him to 8-0 in Washington this season. He allowed two earned runs in the first inning, but then held the D-Backs to just one hit over the rest of his seven innings. Anthony Rendon went 3-4 for the Nationals while Tyler Moore hit a solo homer.

Red Sox 5, Rockies 3: John Lackey tied a career high with 12 strikeouts while allowing two earned runs over six innings. His counterpart, Roy Oswalt, did not fare so well in his second start with the Rockies. Oswalt pitched six innings, but got nailed for five earned runs on nine hits. Rockies outfielder Tyler Colvin helped pad Lackey's numbers by going 0-4 with four strikeouts on the day. Michael Cuddyer hit a home run, tying a Rockies record by extending his hitting streak to 23 games.

Pirates 4, Mariners 2: Jeanmar Gomez and Felix Hernandez went toe-to-toe with excellent pitching performances, but Gomez's five shutout innings coupled with a stellar Pittsburgh bullpen performance won today's battle. Hernandez gave up a two-run homer to Neil Walker, but struck out 11 Pirates over seven innings. The Mariners bullpen gave up two more runs to give up the lead and the game.

Athletics 5, Reds 0: A.J. Griffin was phenomenal today, pitching his first career complete game and shutting out the Reds on two hits and two walks while striking out seven. Josh Donaldson hit a three-run home run for the Athletics as the team posted four runs against Homer Bailey in six innings.

Marlins 5, Twins 3: The Marlins are second-to-last in MLB in home runs, but two long balls today helped them earn the victory. Both Jeff Mathis and Placido Polanco hit their first long balls of the year, with both going for two runs. The Twins scored all three of their runs in the first inning, making this the Marlins' 15th comeback victory of the season.

Blue Jays 3, Rays 0: R.A. Dickey pitched his best game since being traded to the Blue Jays in the off season, throwing a two-hit complete game shutout and striking out six batters. Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion both hit solo homers for Toronto to provide most of the team's offense.

Royals 4, Braves 3 (10 innings): The Royals scored three runs in the first three innings, but did not score again until the tenth frame. Both Luis Mendoza and Mike Minor pitched strong games, with Minor really settling in after the first inning. Alex Gordon led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run and walked off with an RBI single.

Via @EliasSports, Alex Gordon is 2nd player in Royals history with leadoff HR and a walk-off RBI in same game (Gregg Jefferies in 1992)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 27, 2013

Cubs 5, Brewers 4: A fielding error by Rickie Weeks in the fourth inning may have cost the Brewers the game, as it may have helped end the inning before the Cubs posted two runs on an Anthony Rizzo single. Chicago scored all their runs against Yovani Gallardo as the Brewers bullpen was fantastic. Down by two, the Brewers started to rally in the ninth with a Juan Francisco homer followed by a Rickie Weeks double to lead off the inning, but the Cubs were able to put out the fire.

Dodgers 4, Giants 2: After the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead with three singles in the third inning, Buster Posey blasted the Giants ahead with a two-run homer in the fourth. Unfortunately for San Francisco, that was all they would get against Clayton Kershaw, who pitched eight innings of four-hit ball while striking out seven batters. The Dodgers supported Clayshaw with a three-run sixth inning. The Giants managed just five hits all game, with three of those off the bat of Posey.

Padres 5, Phillies 7 (13 innings): It was a back-and-forth affair at Petco during regulation. The Padres bullpen was unable to hold onto a 5-3 lead in the later innings, as Delmon Young launched a two-run homer to tie things in the eighth. The game went to extra innings and stretched on into the night. By the 12th inning, Padres manager Bud Black had exhausted his bench. The Phillies put two men on with a hit-by-pitch and a walk in the top of the 13th, then went ahead for good when, with two outs, Logan Forsythe bobbled a grounder to second to allow one run to score and threw wide of home to allow a second run to come in.