LEADING OFF: Hitters slumping, cutdown day, Scherzer's exit
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)A look at what's happening around the majors today:OFF BASEStar hitters Christian Yelich, Gary Sanchez, Hunter Pence and others are slumping badly in a season where hitters across the majors are struggling to find base hits. Its the lowest mark ever, below the .237 average posted in 1968, despite the addition of the designated hitter to the NL. The Nationals already are missing World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, who has a nerve issue in his pitching hand. The Miami Marlins, thats who. St. Louis hasnt played since June 29 -- at 2-3, its next game is scheduled for Friday night at home against the Cubs.
Surprising first-place Marlins stay hot, sweep Orioles
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Elieser Hernandez throws a pitch to the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning in game one of a baseball double-header, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)BALTIMORE Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter for Don Mattingly's undermanned, gritty and first-place Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday night for a doubleheader sweep. The sweep kept the Marlins atop the NL East and earned Mattingly his 281st win as Miami's manager, tying Jack McKeon's club record. Not only were both games seven innings apiece, but the Orioles were the home team in the opener and the Marlins served as hosts in the nightcap. Orioles: Wade LeBlanc (1-0) makes his third start of the season after turning in a solid performance against Tampa Bay on Saturday.