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Kimbrel recovered and overmatched Eric Young Jr. for the second out, but the breakout season of Dexter Fowler continued as he connected and confused left fielder Justin Upton with a slicing liner that smacked off the wall, tying the score at five. Three hard fought innings later, an admittedly nervous Yorvit Torrealba — a catcher by trade, but a first baseman with Todd Helton ailing and Colorado out of players — ended it with a walkoff single scoring another catcher, Wilin Rosario.
''Usually in winter ball I just played first, but I also played once last year when I was with the Toronto Blue Jays,'' he said. ''Still, it's not my position so I was a little bit nervous.''
Helton hasn't played since Friday with a strained forearm and the Rockies may be forced to DL him if he's available again on Thursday. After a doubleheader Tuesday followed by 12 innings Wednesday, they could use a fresh arm in their bullpen. A little bench depth wouldn't hurt either to ensure Torrealba isn't need to dust off his first baseman's mit again.
Papa Grande returns: From his entrance, to his half-dark, half-light goatee, to his postgame celebration, it was as if the eccentric Jose Valverde had never left his role as Detroit Tigers closer. The only thing that was different, from 2012 at least, was the ease with which he secured the save in his 2013. He retired Alex Gordon, Alcides Escobar and Billy Butler in order to lock up the 7-5 victory.
Valdeslam: Matt Kemp's first home run was the story of the first eight and a half innings. That changed, however, after Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford failed to corral Mike Baxter's sinking liner (remember this?) to start the ninth and David Wright sent it to extras with a two-out single. It didn't last much longer as New York's Jordany Valdespin launched his first career grand slam, walkoff style, to win it 7-3.
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Rangers support Yu: A nine-run fourth inning is more offensive support than Yu Darvish has needed through his first five starts put together. Chalk up another six scoreless here with 11 strikeouts as Texas rolls to the 11-3 win.
MORE SCORES
Cardinals 4, Nationals 2: Stephen Strasburg losses his fourth straight decision as Redbirds complete sweep of Washington.
Blue Jays 6, Orioles 5 (11 inn): The Orioles 17-game extra inning winning streak comes to a screeching halt thanks largely to Rajai Davis.
Reds 1, Cubs 0: Down go the Cubs, courtesy of Todd Frazier.
White Sox 3, Indians 2: Adam Dunn walked three times, doubling his season total.
Astros 10, Mariners 3: Seattle and Miami are the only teams without a series win this season. Houston has two, both against Seattle.
Diamondbacks 3, Giants 2 (10 inn.): Arizona is totally stealing San Francisco's gimmick with back-to-back extra inning wins at AT&T Park.
Red Sox 6, A's 5: The Sox made bigger news after the game when they sent disgruntled pitcher and serial complainer Alfredo Aceves to timeout in Triple-A Pawtucket.
Pirates 5, Phillies 3: Six one-hit innings from Roy Halladay. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard homer. It's just like old times for the Phillies... except the whole losing to the Pirates thing.
Rays 3, Yankees 0: Alex Cobb dealt eight and one-third scoreless innings to help Tampa Bay secure a 5-1 homestand.
Padres 2, Brewers 1: Carlos Quentin finally hit a baseball harder than he shoulder tackled Zack Greinke. His first home run and seven qualify innings from Edinson Volquez helped end Milwaukee's nine-game winning streak.
''I remember going to the Astrodome and watching games, but this park is something else. 'I wanted to be a professional ballplayer and play at the highest level and being an Astro is just the icing on the cake.''
— Astros rookie and Houston native Robbie Grossman on his major league debut. He doubled twice.
— Astros rookie and Houston native Robbie Grossman on his major league debut. He doubled twice.
Have you even blown your nose and then... oh, nevermind. I have no idea what Brett Gardner is doing here.
• The Nationals have scored only nine runs in Stephen Strasburg's five starts.
• Jordany Valdespin's walkoff grand slam was the first by a Mets players since Kevin McReynolds on June 25, 1991.
• Manny Machado finally hit the Orioles first triple on Wednesday. That leaves the slugging Braves as the only team without one in 2013.
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Follow @bigleaguestew, @Townie813, @AnswerDave and @MikeOz on Twitter
Also, check out the BLS Facebook Page