The Giants and Dodgers both made deals with non-contending teams in their efforts to take home the NL West. Starting with more positive news, the San Francisco Giants picked up 37 year old outfielder Marlon Byrd from the Reds on Thursday in exchange for Double-A RHP Stephen Johnson. Byrd came into his SF debut batting .237 with 19 homeruns. Byrd turns 38 on August 30th, but was a necessary pick up for the Giants with Hunter Pence joining the DL with his oblique strain. Injuries have been beating up the Giants, especially in the outfield as Nori Aoki today comes off the DL while Angel Pagan is still out. Byrd made his appearance today with the Giants at PNC Park against the Wild-Card leading Pirates. Like Tulowitzki with Toronto, Byrd sent the ball over the wall in his first at bat with his new team. But Byrd wasn't done there, as he also singled and doubled finishing the day 3-5 with two RBI's. The Giants went on to take the game 6-4, as Madison Bumgarner got his 15th win and helped himself out with his 5th homerun of the season in the second inning. After getting shutout 4-0 yesterday, Byrd joined the Giants lineup and provided some good offense to help boost them over their opponent today and gain a game on the Dodgers in the NL West standings.
Chase Utley made his debut with the Dodgers at Minute Maid Park down in Houston, but unfortunately for Los Angeles he did not contribute offensively like Byrd. The Dodgers picked up Utley and cash for a couple minor leaguers, but picked him up to keep him away from the Giants. Utley should still fit in well with Howie Kendrick currently out on the DL. Chase Utley is 36 and currently hitting .217, but has been hotter since returning from his ankle injury not to long ago. Chase Utley grew up in Long Beach California as a Dodger fan and was originally drafted by the Dodgers before turning them down for UCLA. Utley joins his former teammate Jimmy Rollins in the middle of the infield as the Dodgers look to hold on to their NL West lead.
Going back to Utley's debut in Houston, Mike Fiers started the game for the Astros against the Dodgers and pulled off a no-hitter, the 11th in Astros franchise history and the 5th in baseball this season. Mike Fiers, who the Astros acquired from the Brewers earlier in the season, struck out 10 and walked three on 134 pitches. Chase Utley was his second to last out, as Utley flew out to Marisnick and went 0-4 in his Dodgers debut, batting second behind Jimmy Rollins. Fiers completed his no-hitter by striking out Turner. The Astros got the win, expanding their lead in the division, while the Giants picked up a game and now only trail the Dodgers by 1.5 games. Congrats to Mike Fiers and the Astros, as they are looking down at the Angels while they battle with the Blue Jyas.
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