Arrieta No Hitter, Second Deadline Comes With Deals

Congrats to Jake Arrieta who not only became the leader in baseball in wins, but did it with a no-hitter. Arrieta no hit the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were also no hit by Mike Fiers just eight days before, in a 2-0 victory at Dodgers Stadium. He was lights out Sunday night, putting away a season high on strikes with 12 K's. Arrieta celebrated with his teammates after the game, as they all slipped into their pajamas getting ready for their flight home. There was some controversy, as Dodgers infielder Enrique Hernandez smacked a one-hop to Starlin Castro at second. Castro couldn't handle the ball and spit away from him, the ruling on the field was an error but the Dodgers disagreed and wanted to be credited with a hit. But Arrieta finished the game off, picking up the sixth no-hitter of the season. The Cubs continue to increase their lead in the wildcard, as the Giants fell to the Cardinals that night.

positive impact on both sides of the ball and help clinch that spot for Chicago.

But today, the Giants were one of the four teams that made a last second deal. The Giants acquired Alejandro De Aza from the Boston Red Sox for Class A lefty Luis Ysla. The Giants also receive $650,000 of the remaining $833,000 on De Aza'a contract. With Hunter Pence out yet again, the Giants were in a need of an outfield bat to accompany Marlon Byrd who is fitting in well with his new team. This is the second season in a row De Aza has been dealt at the waiver line, as the White Sox sent him to Baltimore last season where he started this year before ending up in Boston. Since joining the Red Sox he has hit well, batting .292 but has not been receiving much playing time as of late. His ability to play all three outfield positions should come in handy for the Giants as they seem to put and different set of guys out deep everyday. They are facing the Dodgers in this week looking to catch up in the NL West.

The Dodger picked up Justin Ruggiano and cash today from the Mariners for a player to be named later. The Dodgers are in need of help to hold onto the their 3 1/2 game lead as Enrique Hernandez and Yasiel Puig have both Howie Kendrick on the DL recently with hamstring issues. The Dodgers are not only missing a few key bats, but are not getting much production from some of their big names especially Joc Perderson who is hitting .110 going into tonight match against the Giants. The Dodgers have been making their deals, such as Chase Utley to try an cover up their many injury holes.
The Mariners weren't done there, as like their former closer Fernando Rodney, they dealt outfielder Austin Jackson to the Cubs for a player to be named and an international draft spot. 28 year old Austin Jackson will provide some more offensive support, not that they seem to need any with Arrieta, as the Cubs went into today with a 5 1/2 lead on the Giants. Jackson was dealt from the Tigers to the Mariners last season and went into today ready to bat lead off but was scratch a few hours before the game. Over the season Jackson was hitting .282 with eight long balls and 38 RBIs. The Cubs have had a few minor injuries in their outfield and could use the improvements on defense late in their games. Jackson should make a positive impact on both sides of the ball and help clinch that spot for Chicago.

The Royals also added an outfielder picking up 34 year old Jonny Gomez from the Atlanta Braves along with an undisclosed amount of cash for shortstop Luis Valenzuela. Gomes is joining his seventh team in under five years, as he happily heads to the AL leading Royals. Gomez only has had 195 at-bats on the year, but has seven homers and 22 RBIs while batting .221. The Royals need some power off the bench and a guy to fill in when off days are needed. The Royals look to beef up and make sure they come out on top this season.