Friday generated six shutouts, not a record but the first time this season that many were thrown in a day. The feat was accomplished with just 14 games played, also, as the Pirates and Yankees were rained out. Seven pitchers went at least 5 innings without allowing a run, all earning a win for their efforts. Chris Tillman and Drew Hutchinson going the distance. Hutchinson pitched the best game of the night, allowing just three hits, walking one, and striking out six. Jorge de la Rosa allowed just one hit, but only pitched seven innings.
Max Scherzer‘s six shutout innings against the Red Sox (including a rain delay) moved him back into first place in the AL Cy Young points race. He leads Masahiro Tananka 30.8 to 27.6. Zack Greinke gained ground on Johnny Cueto, but still trails him by 10 points in the NL race.
Note that Jeff Samarzjia still ranks high in the NL race despite his 0-4 record. That’s a good sign this tool captures what really matters.
Big shutout days have slowed down a bit lately, despite offense staying low. There were eight days with at least six shutouts between 2009 and 2012, only two since.
Just another lousy day for the hitters in a lousy year. With baseball fading into minor sport status, I doubt that the game will ever set another attendance record. The last one was in 2007, when baseball was still averaging nine and a half runs per game. But they’ll never get even a significant rise in attendance with soccer scores.
They still have to pay those ridiculous contracts, though. Prince Fielder makes $24,000,000 for a .720 OPS.