Eric Espada/Getty ImagesOn a deadline day when there was much more quantity (15 trades) than quality
Carlos Gonzalez Jersey , the guy who could make the biggest impact on the rest of the season was the guy who didn't get traded.The teams that made moves concentrated on incremental upgrades that may or may not help them win a championship. The team that made almost no moves showed belief in a team and a star who have so far badly underachieved.The biggest move of the month was the Los Angeles Dodgers trading for Manny Machado, but that happened nearly two weeks ago. The biggest move Tuesday was a non-move, with the Washington Nationals not trading Bryce Harper.The Nationals could look bad鈥攊f their 53-53 team doesn't rally to make the postseason and if Harper leaves as a free agent and they are stuck with only a draft pick in return.Harpers Home Run Derby performance was magical, and the Nationals will need that magic in August and September (and perhaps October).Rob Carr/Getty ImagesBut look at it the other way. They could look great鈥攊f the team responds to win a division that is still ultra-winnable, and especially if Harper is the one who leads them into October and perhaps said. “He came out and got himself out of a couple of jams and battled and pitched a great game for us. Luckily, we were able to get some runs on the board for him and help him relax.”Trey Mancini added a double and a triple, while Adam Jones tied a career high with four hits.Blue Jays rookie left-hander Thomas Pannone (1-1) blanked the Orioles over seven innings last Wednesday to win his first major league start. This time
Nolan Arenado Jersey , Pannone struggled, allowing seven runs and nine hits over 3 1/3 innings.“I didn’t execute pitches that well. I didn’t get my secondary pitches over for a strike,” Pannone said. “So, I kind of backed myself into a corner with just my fastball. And I didn’t really have my best life on it either.”Justin Smoak and Randal Grichuk homered for the Blue Jays, who lost for just the third time in 15 games against Baltimore. Grichuk also tied a career high with four hits, including an RBI single in the ninth off Tanner Scott.“Smokey has been a good player for us,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said. “And Grich isn’t too far behind either.”The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out single by Chris Davis that scored Mancini.
