Baltimore Orioles reassigned LHP Jayson Aquino to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Parker Bridwell to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Oliver Drake to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Yovani Gallardo to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Jason Garcia to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Kevin Gausman to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned LHP T.J. McFarland to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned LHP Wade Miley to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Tyler Wilson to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Vance Worley to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RHP Mike Wright to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned C Francisco Pena to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned RF Dariel Alvarez to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned SS Paul Janish to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned LF Christian Walker to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned 2B Andy Burns to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned LF Darrell Ceciliani to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned 1B Chris Colabello to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned C Josh Thole to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned RHP Danny Barnes to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned LHP J.A. Happ to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned RHP Chris Smith to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned RHP Aaron Sanchez to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned RHP R.A. Dickey to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned RHP Bo Schultz to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned RHP Mike Bolsinger to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned LHP Matt Dermody to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned RHP Joaquin Benoit to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned LHP Chad Girodo to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned CF Harold Ramirez to the minor leagues.
This is "The Line Drive", MLB and baseball news brought to you by the UNB! Network!
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Showalter leaves Britton in 'pen; O's lose 5-2 to Blue Jays
TORONTO (AP) — Zach Britton was perfect for Baltimore at all the right times during the regular season.
For manager Buck Showalter, the right time never came Tuesday night.
Showalter left Britton in the bullpen while Ubaldo Jimenez allowed Edwin Encarnacion's game-ending home run in the 11th inning, and the Orioles' season ended with a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL wild-card game.
Britton converted all 47 of his save chances during the regular season, but the All-Star closer wasn't among the seven pitchers Baltimore used in the winner-take-all game.
"(Britton) was fine," Showalter said, adding that "I considered a lot of things during the course of the game, but our guys did a good job getting us to that point. We just couldn't finish it off. Yeah, he was available."
Showalter used setup men Brad Brach and Darren O'Day to navigate the top of Toronto's order over the eighth and ninth innings and let O'Day work the 10th.
Left-hander Brian Duensing relieved O'Day to begin the 11th and struck out lefty Ezequiel Carrera looking. Then entered Jimenez, who had a 5.44 ERA during the regular season.
Jimenez allowed three hits on three pitches, the last Encarnacion's homer on a 91 mph fastball.
Baltimore had 10 pitchers available for the wild-card game, leaving only Britton, Tommy Hunter and starter Dylan Bundy unused.
Britton warmed up three times.
"It's frustrating but it's not my call," Britton said. "It was just frustrating to have to sit there and watch."
Showalter has said he'd vote Britton for the AL Cy Young Award if he could, and now faces a long winter having left his bullpen ace on the bench.
Jimenez entered with one out and allowed consecutive singles to Devon Travis and Josh Donaldson, with Travis reaching third when left fielder Nolan Reimold bobbled Donaldson's bouncing hit. With the infield in, Encarnacion sent the following pitch into the second deck in left field. Encarnacion immediately knew it was gone and raised both arms in triumph, index fingers pointed skyward.
"I was looking for a fastball and I was trying to put the barrel on it, get a little bit in front because the infield was playing in, and I actually got it," Encarnacion said through a translator.
Showalter pointed to Jimenez's second-half resurgence in defending the decision — Jimenez was 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA in his final seven starts.
"Nobody has been pitching better for us than Ubaldo," Showalter said. "So there's a lot of different ways to look at it, so that's the way we went. It didn't work out."
Gibbons wasn't surprised to see Showalter hold back his closer on the road.
"I never question what anyone else does because you've got to make tough decisions," Gibbons said. "You know what, most people don't ever agree with your decisions regardless."
Toronto's Francisco Liriano retired five straight batters on four groundouts and a strikeout for the win after closer Roberto Osuna left with a sore shoulder.
The roof was open at Rogers Centre, formerly SkyDome, where all 24 previous postseason games had been played with it closed.
Toronto opens the Division Series at Texas on Thursday.
Jose Bautista led off the second against Chris Tillman with his fifth postseason homer. Mark Trumbo, who led the major leagues with 47 home runs, gave Baltimore a 2-1 lead in the fourth with a two-run homer off Marcus Stroman.
Ezequiel Carrera's RBI single chased Tillman in the fifth.
"PATHETIC AS IT GETS"
When Toronto pinch-hitter Melvin Upton Jr. flied out to the warning track in left field to end the seventh, Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim was nearly struck by a can that was thrown from the stands. Center fielder Adam Jones angrily gestured toward the seats, and Showalter came out to register his displeasure with the umpires.
"It's tough when you have that many people in the ballpark and one person does something that reflects poorly on all of them," Showalter said. "It can happen in any ballpark. I don't like anything that puts our guys in harm's way."
Jones wasn't as diplomatic as his manager.
"That is about as pathetic as it gets," Jones said. " I hope they find the guy and press charges."
Blue Jays spokesman Erik Grosman said the fan was not ejected because he took off before police had a chance to get him. Police are investigating.
Blue Jays fans tossed bottles and debris on the field during Game 5 against Texas last year, upset at the call that let Rougned Odor score from third after catcher Russell Martin's throw back to the mound deflected off Shin Soo Choo's bat.
SLIM PICKINGS
Baltimore was held hitless after Manny Machado's infield single in the sixth.
EXTRA, EXTRA!
This was the second extra-inning wild card game. Kansas City rallied to beat Oakland 9-8 in 12 innings in 2014.
For manager Buck Showalter, the right time never came Tuesday night.
Showalter left Britton in the bullpen while Ubaldo Jimenez allowed Edwin Encarnacion's game-ending home run in the 11th inning, and the Orioles' season ended with a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL wild-card game.
Britton converted all 47 of his save chances during the regular season, but the All-Star closer wasn't among the seven pitchers Baltimore used in the winner-take-all game.
"(Britton) was fine," Showalter said, adding that "I considered a lot of things during the course of the game, but our guys did a good job getting us to that point. We just couldn't finish it off. Yeah, he was available."
Showalter used setup men Brad Brach and Darren O'Day to navigate the top of Toronto's order over the eighth and ninth innings and let O'Day work the 10th.
Left-hander Brian Duensing relieved O'Day to begin the 11th and struck out lefty Ezequiel Carrera looking. Then entered Jimenez, who had a 5.44 ERA during the regular season.
Jimenez allowed three hits on three pitches, the last Encarnacion's homer on a 91 mph fastball.
Baltimore had 10 pitchers available for the wild-card game, leaving only Britton, Tommy Hunter and starter Dylan Bundy unused.
Britton warmed up three times.
"It's frustrating but it's not my call," Britton said. "It was just frustrating to have to sit there and watch."
Showalter has said he'd vote Britton for the AL Cy Young Award if he could, and now faces a long winter having left his bullpen ace on the bench.
Jimenez entered with one out and allowed consecutive singles to Devon Travis and Josh Donaldson, with Travis reaching third when left fielder Nolan Reimold bobbled Donaldson's bouncing hit. With the infield in, Encarnacion sent the following pitch into the second deck in left field. Encarnacion immediately knew it was gone and raised both arms in triumph, index fingers pointed skyward.
"I was looking for a fastball and I was trying to put the barrel on it, get a little bit in front because the infield was playing in, and I actually got it," Encarnacion said through a translator.
Showalter pointed to Jimenez's second-half resurgence in defending the decision — Jimenez was 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA in his final seven starts.
"Nobody has been pitching better for us than Ubaldo," Showalter said. "So there's a lot of different ways to look at it, so that's the way we went. It didn't work out."
Gibbons wasn't surprised to see Showalter hold back his closer on the road.
"I never question what anyone else does because you've got to make tough decisions," Gibbons said. "You know what, most people don't ever agree with your decisions regardless."
Toronto's Francisco Liriano retired five straight batters on four groundouts and a strikeout for the win after closer Roberto Osuna left with a sore shoulder.
The roof was open at Rogers Centre, formerly SkyDome, where all 24 previous postseason games had been played with it closed.
Toronto opens the Division Series at Texas on Thursday.
Jose Bautista led off the second against Chris Tillman with his fifth postseason homer. Mark Trumbo, who led the major leagues with 47 home runs, gave Baltimore a 2-1 lead in the fourth with a two-run homer off Marcus Stroman.
Ezequiel Carrera's RBI single chased Tillman in the fifth.
"PATHETIC AS IT GETS"
When Toronto pinch-hitter Melvin Upton Jr. flied out to the warning track in left field to end the seventh, Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim was nearly struck by a can that was thrown from the stands. Center fielder Adam Jones angrily gestured toward the seats, and Showalter came out to register his displeasure with the umpires.
"It's tough when you have that many people in the ballpark and one person does something that reflects poorly on all of them," Showalter said. "It can happen in any ballpark. I don't like anything that puts our guys in harm's way."
Jones wasn't as diplomatic as his manager.
"That is about as pathetic as it gets," Jones said. " I hope they find the guy and press charges."
Blue Jays spokesman Erik Grosman said the fan was not ejected because he took off before police had a chance to get him. Police are investigating.
Blue Jays fans tossed bottles and debris on the field during Game 5 against Texas last year, upset at the call that let Rougned Odor score from third after catcher Russell Martin's throw back to the mound deflected off Shin Soo Choo's bat.
SLIM PICKINGS
Baltimore was held hitless after Manny Machado's infield single in the sixth.
EXTRA, EXTRA!
This was the second extra-inning wild card game. Kansas City rallied to beat Oakland 9-8 in 12 innings in 2014.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Baseball Capsules (October 3, 2016)
BOSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Troy Tulowitzki singled to break an eighth-inning tie, helping the Toronto Blue Jays clinch the AL's top wild-card berth Sunday with a 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox in David Ortiz's final regular season game.
Toronto clinched a spot in the postseason when Detroit lost to Atlanta 1-0 earlier Sunday evening. With their win in Boston, the Blue Jays earned the right to host the Baltimore Orioles in a one-game playoff on Tuesday.
The Red Sox, who lost five of their last six games, will start their AL Division Series against the Indians on Thursday in Cleveland.
Sanchez (15-2) limited Boston to a run and two hits over seven innings. Roberto Osuna got three outs for his 36th save.
Brad Ziegler (2-4) allowed Tulowitzki's single.
ORIOLES 5, YANKEES 2
NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Wieters homered from both sides of the plate and Kevin Gausman gave Baltimore a clutch pitching performance to snag a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season.
Baltimore will play at AL East rival Toronto in the wild-card game Tuesday night for a chance to face AL West champion Texas in a best-of-five Division Series.
Zach Britton got five outs in a non-save situation and finished perfect in 47 save chances this year with a 0.54 ERA. Wieters drove in four runs and Gausman (9-12) was charged with two runs in 7 1/3 innings as the Orioles reached the postseason for the third time in five years.
Luis Cessa (4-4) got the loss.
BRAVES 1, TIGERS 0
ATLANTA (AP) — Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention when Julio Teheran matched a career high with 12 strikeouts and Freddie Freeman hit a first-inning sacrifice fly that led Atlanta to victory in the last game at Turner Field.
While the Braves focused on sending their home of 20 years out in style before moving to a new suburban stadium in 2017, the Tigers hoped to extend this season with a victory.
They needed to win, hope that either Baltimore or Toronto lost, and then win a makeup game against Cleveland on Monday in order to force a tiebreaker for an AL wild card.
Instead, Detroit lost its second straight against the last-place Braves.
Teheran (7-10) lasted seven innings, giving up three hits and a walk. Jim Johnson, who agreed to a two-year contract before the game, worked the ninth for his 20th save in 23 chances.
Justin Verlander (16-9) allowed six hits in seven innings, walked one intentionally and struck out eight.
GIANTS 7, DODGERS 1
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — If it is an even-numbered year, San Francisco finds its way into the playoffs
San Francisco made it on the final day of the regular season, securing the second NL wild card with a win over Los Angeles to complete a three-game sweep of their rival.
Denard Span hit a two-run triple among his three hits, and Buster Posey drove in three runs and had three hits.
San Francisco, which won Series titles in 2010, '12 and '14, plays at the defending NL champion New York Mets on Wednesday night in the NL wild-card game, with the winner advancing to a Division Series against the Chicago Cubs. Madison Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, will face Noah Syndergaard.
Midseason acquisition Matt Moore (6-5) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings.
Kenta Maeda (16-11) surrendered five runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.
CUBS 7, REDS 4
CINCINNATI (AP) — Matt Szczur doubled home two runs with two outs in the ninth inning, and Miguel Montero followed with a homer as Chicago finished one of its most successful seasons with a flourish.
With victory No. 103 in the books, the Cubs headed back to Wrigley Field for their first playoff game on Friday against the winner of the NL wild-card game.
The Cubs led the majors with their most victories since 1910. That's no longer the reference point, however. The postseason focus is 1908, the last time they won a World Series.
After Raisel Iglesias (3-2) retired the first two batters in the ninth, Chicago pulled ahead with a walk, a single and Szczur's double.
Justin Grimm (2-1) retired the one batter he faced for the win. Carl Edwards Jr. got his second save.
INDIANS 3, ROYALS 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, Josh Tomlin dazzled in his final tuneup for the postseason and Cleveland beat Kansas City.
Tomlin (13-9) dueled with Ian Kennedy (11-11) into the eighth before the new AL Central champs pulled ahead.
Tomlin got the first batter in the eighth before Andrew Miller finished it up, and Cody Allen handled the ninth to earn his 32nd save and give the Indians (94-67) a nice boost heading into the playoffs.
NATIONALS 10, MARLINS 7
WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer earned his 20th victory and drove in a career-high four runs to help Washington beat Miami.
Scherzer (20-7) allowed five runs in five innings while striking out seven. It was his second 20-win season, and he became the second pitcher to win 20 games for the Nationals since they moved to Washington.
Mark Melancon pitched the ninth to earn his 47th save in 51 chances.
The NL East champion Nationals, who will face Los Angeles in the Division Series, finished the regular season 95-67, a 12-game improvement in manager Dusty Baker's first season.
Third baseman Martin Prado served as the Marlins' manager, continuing a tradition actual manager Don Mattingly was a part of while working under Joe Torre in New York and Los Angeles and later when he managed the Dodgers.
Austin Brice (0-1) took the loss.
TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Byron Buxton hit the game's first pitch for an inside-the-park home run and Minnesota beat Chris Sale in manager Robin Ventura's final game with Chicago.
Ventura said after the game that leaving was "a personal decision." He was in the last year of his contract.
Miguel Sano added a three-run homer off Sale (17-10), who allowed five runs and six hits over five innings.
Jose Berrios (3-7) allowed one run and four hits in five innings.
Brandon Kintzler got the final three outs for his 17th save in 20 tries.
RAYS 6, RANGERS 4, 10 INNINGS
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Alexei Ramirez had four hits, including a 10th-inning double before scoring, and Tampa Bay ended another losing season with a victory over AL West champion Texas.
The Rangers tied it in the ninth against closer Alex Colome, but the Rays then opened the 10th with three consecutive hits off Tanner Scheppers (1-1).
Erasmo Ramirez, the seventh Rays pitcher and 14th in the game, worked the 10th for his second save.
Colome (2-4) got the win.
While the Rangers (95-67) fell one win shy of matching the franchise record for victories, they had already clinched home-field advantage through the postseason. They will open the playoffs at home Thursday against the AL wild card winner, either Toronto or Baltimore.
PHILLIES 5, METS 2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard's farewell game with the Philadelphia Phillies ended with a win.
Cesar Hernandez hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning, and Philadelphia beat playoff-bound New York.
Howard, the last player remaining from the 2008 World Series championship team, was honored in a pregame ceremony. The Phillies are planning to pay Howard a $10 million buyout instead of exercising a $23 million club option for 2017.
Colton Murray (1-1) pitched one inning in relief of Jerad Eickhoff to earn his first career win despite allowing a run. Hector Neris finished for his second save.
Erik Goeddel (2-2) took the loss.
CARDINALS 10, PIRATES 4
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A win on the final day of the season was not enough for the St. Louis Cardinals, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Matt Carpenter homered and Randal Grichuk keyed a six-run seventh-inning with a two-run double to lead the Cardinals.
But the Cardinals (86-76) were eliminated while still on the field when San Francisco (87-75) beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 and earned the second NL wild card.
Jonathan Broxton (4-2) won despite allowing two runs in one inning of relief.
Juan Nicasio (10-7) gave up three runs without recording an out in the seventh.
ATHLETICS 3, MARINERS 2
SEATTLE (AP) — Stephen Vogt hit his 14th home run in the first inning on the only pitch that he saw on the final day of the season and Oakland held on to beat Seattle.
Vogt drove the first pitch he got from Felix Hernandez just beyond the left-field wall to give the A's an early lead.
Seattle appeared drained after seeing its postseason hopes dashed in Saturday's extra-innings loss to the A's. Hernandez (11-8) was lifted after the third inning and Guillermo Heredia's two-run double in the fifth amounted to all of Seattle's offense and the only real threat against Oakland starter Sean Manaea.
Manaea (7-9) threw six innings, allowing five hits and striking out five.
ANGELS 8, ASTROS 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout stole his 30th base and drove in his 100th run, and Los Angeles completed its worst season of the 21st century.
Trout wrapped up another MVP-caliber campaign stuck on 29 homers, but he got his milestone stolen base in the first inning and an RBI single in the sixth before leaving to a standing ovation.
Houston's Brady Rodgers (0-1) gave up five hits and four runs in his first big league start for his hometown team.
Jhoulys Chacin (4-4) finished an inconsistent year with a dominant effort in his first victory since Aug. 21.
BREWERS 6, ROCKIES 4
DENVER (AP) — Andrew Susac hit his first homer of the season, a two-run drive in the 10th inning that lifted Milwaukee over Colorado.
After Orlando Arcia hustled for a two-out double, Susac followed with a liner to left off Chris Rusin (3-5).
Reliever Tyler Thornburg (8-5) won after blowing a lead for a second straight day. Corey Knebel pitched a perfect 10th for his second save.
DJ LeMahieu sat out Sunday to protect his lead in the batting title race. It worked as LeMahieu edged Washington's Daniel Murphy by percentage points — .3478 to .3465.
DIAMODNBACKS 3, PADRES 2
PHOENIX (AP) — Pinch-hitter Phil Gosselin's RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted Arizona over San Diego.
Tuffy Gosewich doubled against the Padres' Brad Hand (4-4) after two fly outs, then was replaced by pinch-runner Socrates Brito. Gosselin lined his winning hit up the middle to end the game.
Daniel Hudson (3-2) earned the win.
Toronto clinched a spot in the postseason when Detroit lost to Atlanta 1-0 earlier Sunday evening. With their win in Boston, the Blue Jays earned the right to host the Baltimore Orioles in a one-game playoff on Tuesday.
The Red Sox, who lost five of their last six games, will start their AL Division Series against the Indians on Thursday in Cleveland.
Sanchez (15-2) limited Boston to a run and two hits over seven innings. Roberto Osuna got three outs for his 36th save.
Brad Ziegler (2-4) allowed Tulowitzki's single.
ORIOLES 5, YANKEES 2
NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Wieters homered from both sides of the plate and Kevin Gausman gave Baltimore a clutch pitching performance to snag a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season.
Baltimore will play at AL East rival Toronto in the wild-card game Tuesday night for a chance to face AL West champion Texas in a best-of-five Division Series.
Zach Britton got five outs in a non-save situation and finished perfect in 47 save chances this year with a 0.54 ERA. Wieters drove in four runs and Gausman (9-12) was charged with two runs in 7 1/3 innings as the Orioles reached the postseason for the third time in five years.
Luis Cessa (4-4) got the loss.
BRAVES 1, TIGERS 0
ATLANTA (AP) — Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention when Julio Teheran matched a career high with 12 strikeouts and Freddie Freeman hit a first-inning sacrifice fly that led Atlanta to victory in the last game at Turner Field.
While the Braves focused on sending their home of 20 years out in style before moving to a new suburban stadium in 2017, the Tigers hoped to extend this season with a victory.
They needed to win, hope that either Baltimore or Toronto lost, and then win a makeup game against Cleveland on Monday in order to force a tiebreaker for an AL wild card.
Instead, Detroit lost its second straight against the last-place Braves.
Teheran (7-10) lasted seven innings, giving up three hits and a walk. Jim Johnson, who agreed to a two-year contract before the game, worked the ninth for his 20th save in 23 chances.
Justin Verlander (16-9) allowed six hits in seven innings, walked one intentionally and struck out eight.
GIANTS 7, DODGERS 1
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — If it is an even-numbered year, San Francisco finds its way into the playoffs
San Francisco made it on the final day of the regular season, securing the second NL wild card with a win over Los Angeles to complete a three-game sweep of their rival.
Denard Span hit a two-run triple among his three hits, and Buster Posey drove in three runs and had three hits.
San Francisco, which won Series titles in 2010, '12 and '14, plays at the defending NL champion New York Mets on Wednesday night in the NL wild-card game, with the winner advancing to a Division Series against the Chicago Cubs. Madison Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, will face Noah Syndergaard.
Midseason acquisition Matt Moore (6-5) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings.
Kenta Maeda (16-11) surrendered five runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.
CUBS 7, REDS 4
CINCINNATI (AP) — Matt Szczur doubled home two runs with two outs in the ninth inning, and Miguel Montero followed with a homer as Chicago finished one of its most successful seasons with a flourish.
With victory No. 103 in the books, the Cubs headed back to Wrigley Field for their first playoff game on Friday against the winner of the NL wild-card game.
The Cubs led the majors with their most victories since 1910. That's no longer the reference point, however. The postseason focus is 1908, the last time they won a World Series.
After Raisel Iglesias (3-2) retired the first two batters in the ninth, Chicago pulled ahead with a walk, a single and Szczur's double.
Justin Grimm (2-1) retired the one batter he faced for the win. Carl Edwards Jr. got his second save.
INDIANS 3, ROYALS 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, Josh Tomlin dazzled in his final tuneup for the postseason and Cleveland beat Kansas City.
Tomlin (13-9) dueled with Ian Kennedy (11-11) into the eighth before the new AL Central champs pulled ahead.
Tomlin got the first batter in the eighth before Andrew Miller finished it up, and Cody Allen handled the ninth to earn his 32nd save and give the Indians (94-67) a nice boost heading into the playoffs.
NATIONALS 10, MARLINS 7
WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer earned his 20th victory and drove in a career-high four runs to help Washington beat Miami.
Scherzer (20-7) allowed five runs in five innings while striking out seven. It was his second 20-win season, and he became the second pitcher to win 20 games for the Nationals since they moved to Washington.
Mark Melancon pitched the ninth to earn his 47th save in 51 chances.
The NL East champion Nationals, who will face Los Angeles in the Division Series, finished the regular season 95-67, a 12-game improvement in manager Dusty Baker's first season.
Third baseman Martin Prado served as the Marlins' manager, continuing a tradition actual manager Don Mattingly was a part of while working under Joe Torre in New York and Los Angeles and later when he managed the Dodgers.
Austin Brice (0-1) took the loss.
TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Byron Buxton hit the game's first pitch for an inside-the-park home run and Minnesota beat Chris Sale in manager Robin Ventura's final game with Chicago.
Ventura said after the game that leaving was "a personal decision." He was in the last year of his contract.
Miguel Sano added a three-run homer off Sale (17-10), who allowed five runs and six hits over five innings.
Jose Berrios (3-7) allowed one run and four hits in five innings.
Brandon Kintzler got the final three outs for his 17th save in 20 tries.
RAYS 6, RANGERS 4, 10 INNINGS
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Alexei Ramirez had four hits, including a 10th-inning double before scoring, and Tampa Bay ended another losing season with a victory over AL West champion Texas.
The Rangers tied it in the ninth against closer Alex Colome, but the Rays then opened the 10th with three consecutive hits off Tanner Scheppers (1-1).
Erasmo Ramirez, the seventh Rays pitcher and 14th in the game, worked the 10th for his second save.
Colome (2-4) got the win.
While the Rangers (95-67) fell one win shy of matching the franchise record for victories, they had already clinched home-field advantage through the postseason. They will open the playoffs at home Thursday against the AL wild card winner, either Toronto or Baltimore.
PHILLIES 5, METS 2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard's farewell game with the Philadelphia Phillies ended with a win.
Cesar Hernandez hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning, and Philadelphia beat playoff-bound New York.
Howard, the last player remaining from the 2008 World Series championship team, was honored in a pregame ceremony. The Phillies are planning to pay Howard a $10 million buyout instead of exercising a $23 million club option for 2017.
Colton Murray (1-1) pitched one inning in relief of Jerad Eickhoff to earn his first career win despite allowing a run. Hector Neris finished for his second save.
Erik Goeddel (2-2) took the loss.
CARDINALS 10, PIRATES 4
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A win on the final day of the season was not enough for the St. Louis Cardinals, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Matt Carpenter homered and Randal Grichuk keyed a six-run seventh-inning with a two-run double to lead the Cardinals.
But the Cardinals (86-76) were eliminated while still on the field when San Francisco (87-75) beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 and earned the second NL wild card.
Jonathan Broxton (4-2) won despite allowing two runs in one inning of relief.
Juan Nicasio (10-7) gave up three runs without recording an out in the seventh.
ATHLETICS 3, MARINERS 2
SEATTLE (AP) — Stephen Vogt hit his 14th home run in the first inning on the only pitch that he saw on the final day of the season and Oakland held on to beat Seattle.
Vogt drove the first pitch he got from Felix Hernandez just beyond the left-field wall to give the A's an early lead.
Seattle appeared drained after seeing its postseason hopes dashed in Saturday's extra-innings loss to the A's. Hernandez (11-8) was lifted after the third inning and Guillermo Heredia's two-run double in the fifth amounted to all of Seattle's offense and the only real threat against Oakland starter Sean Manaea.
Manaea (7-9) threw six innings, allowing five hits and striking out five.
ANGELS 8, ASTROS 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout stole his 30th base and drove in his 100th run, and Los Angeles completed its worst season of the 21st century.
Trout wrapped up another MVP-caliber campaign stuck on 29 homers, but he got his milestone stolen base in the first inning and an RBI single in the sixth before leaving to a standing ovation.
Houston's Brady Rodgers (0-1) gave up five hits and four runs in his first big league start for his hometown team.
Jhoulys Chacin (4-4) finished an inconsistent year with a dominant effort in his first victory since Aug. 21.
BREWERS 6, ROCKIES 4
DENVER (AP) — Andrew Susac hit his first homer of the season, a two-run drive in the 10th inning that lifted Milwaukee over Colorado.
After Orlando Arcia hustled for a two-out double, Susac followed with a liner to left off Chris Rusin (3-5).
Reliever Tyler Thornburg (8-5) won after blowing a lead for a second straight day. Corey Knebel pitched a perfect 10th for his second save.
DJ LeMahieu sat out Sunday to protect his lead in the batting title race. It worked as LeMahieu edged Washington's Daniel Murphy by percentage points — .3478 to .3465.
DIAMODNBACKS 3, PADRES 2
PHOENIX (AP) — Pinch-hitter Phil Gosselin's RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted Arizona over San Diego.
Tuffy Gosewich doubled against the Padres' Brad Hand (4-4) after two fly outs, then was replaced by pinch-runner Socrates Brito. Gosselin lined his winning hit up the middle to end the game.
Daniel Hudson (3-2) earned the win.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
MLB Transactions from October 1, 2016
RHP A.J. Cole roster status changed by Washington Nationals.
Pittsburgh Pirates placed LF Starling Marte on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to September 28, 2016. Back tightness.
Baseball Capsules (October 2, 2016)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The New York Mets clinched a playoff spot Saturday, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 to secure the top National League wild card.
The defending NL champions will host San Francisco or St. Louis on Wednesday night at Citi Field, with the winner advancing to face the Chicago Cubs.
James Loney hit a two-run homer to back Bartolo Colon (15-8), and Jeurys Familia closed for his major league-high 51st save. T.J. Rivera, Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera each had an RBI single.
The only other time the Mets made the postseason in consecutive years was 1999-2000. New York won the NL East last season and went all the way to the World Series before losing to Kansas City.
By clinching with one day to spare in the regular season, the Mets can save All-Star ace Noah Syndergaard for the wild-card game.
Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer in what was likely his penultimate game with the Phillies, who have dropped six straight. Patrick Schuster (0-1) took the loss.
GIANTS 3, DODGERS 0
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants rookie Ty Blach outpitched ace Clayton Kershaw, and San Francisco held its lead for the last NL playoff spot going into the final day of the regular season.
The Giants stayed one game ahead of St. Louis for the second wild card.
Blach (1-0) earned his first big league victory, pitching eight innings of three-hit ball. He struck out six and walked one in his second start in the majors, and also got his first two hits.
Sergio Romo closed for his fourth save.
Angel Pagan homered in the fifth off Kershaw (12-4) to break a scoreless tie. Kershaw will start Game 1 of the Division Series against Washington — the Los Angeles loss gave the Nationals home-field advantage.
CARDINALS 4, PIRATES 3
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jedd Gyorko hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, Matt Holliday provided another big boost and St. Louis pushed the playoff race to the final day.
The Cardinals trail San Francisco by one game for the second NL wild card.
Gyorko's 30th homer came off Felipe Rivero (1-6).
Kevin Siegrist (6-3) pitched the eighth. Seung Hwan Oh left runners at second and third for his 19th save.
BLUE JAYS 4, RED SOX 3
BOSTON (AP) — Ezequiel Carrera hit a ninth-inning sacrifice fly to give Toronto the lead after Boston tied it in the eighth on a balk.
The Blue Jays moved into a tie with Baltimore for the top spot in the AL wild-card race. The Blue Jays and Orioles each have 88 wins with one game to play, and Toronto owns the tie-breaker.
With the loss, Boston fell one-half game behind Cleveland in the race for home-field advantage when their ALDS series begins on Thursday.
With Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel (2-6) pitching, Michael Saunders drew a leadoff walk, and then pinch-runner Dalton Pompey took second on a sacrifice bunt, third on a wild pitch and scored on Carrera's fly to left.
YANKEES 7, ORIOLES 3
NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Austin tied the score with a seventh-inning home run, Austin Romine and Brett Gardner drove in two runs each in the eighth and New York rallied from a three-run deficit to stall Baltimore's playoff push.
Thanks to Detroit's loss Saturday night, however, Baltimore (88-73) can clinch an AL wild card with a win Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
All-Star setup man Brad Brach (10-4) took the loss. He was charged with a season-high four runs.
Tyler Clippard (2-3) pitched a perfect eighth, and Dellin Betances struck out the side after an infield hit in the ninth. The Yankees stopped the Orioles' three-game winning streak and sent them to their second loss in eight games.
Mark Trumbo had four hits for Baltimore, which built a 3-0 lead against Luis Severino on Michael Bourn's two-run single and Manny Machado's 37th home run. Machado's third-inning, opposite-field drive to right ended an 0-for-17 slide.
BRAVES 5, TIGERS 3
ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis homered, rookie Aaron Blair had a career-high 10 strikeouts and last-place Atlanta damaged Detroit's playoff hopes.
The Tigers dropped 1 1/2 games out of the second AL wild-card spot. They need a win Sunday and a loss by Baltimore or Toronto to avoid postseason elimination.
The Tigers will have ace Justin Verlander on the mound Sunday. Depending on the playoff scenario, Detroit's regular season might extend with a makeup home game Monday against Cleveland.
Atlanta took a 5-2 lead in the seventh on Adonis Garcia's two-run single, but reliever Mauricio Cabrera loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth. Chaz Roe struck out Miguel Cabrera and got J.D. Martinez to ground into a double play.
Braves closer Jim Johnson gave up a run in the ninth on Jose Iglesias' infield single but retired pinch-hitter Victor Martinez to earn his 19th save. The Braves have won 11 of 13 heading into the last game at Turner Field.
Blair (2-7) entered with an 8.02 ERA but gave up four hits and two runs in five innings.
Detroit starter Jordan Zimmermann (9-7) went four innings and is 0-4 with an 11.64 ERA in four starts since June 24.
NATIONALS 2, MARLINS 1
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals rookie Trea Turner hit his 13th homer, Tanner Roark tuned up for the playoffs with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball and Washington beat Miami while clinching home-field advantage in the NL Division Series.
NL East champion Washington's third trip to the postseason in five years will begin Friday in the nation's capital against the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with Max Scherzer slated to face Clayton Kershaw.
The Nationals, it turned out, didn't need to beat the Marlins — which they did, thanks to Turner, Roark (16-10) and Bryce Harper's RBI single. The Dodgers' loss to San Francisco assured Washington a better record and was announced before the bottom of the seventh to the Nationals Park crowd of 31,635, which responded with a standing ovation.
Wei-Yin Chen (5-5) allowed two runs in five innings.
Mark Melancon got four outs for his 46th save.
INDIANS 6, ROYALS 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a two-out, two-run double during an eighth-inning rally to help Cleveland beat Kansas City .
Kevin McCarthy replaced Matt Strahm (2-2) with a runner on and walked the bases loaded before Lindor's double over third base.
Mike Clevinger (3-3) won for the AL Central champs by retiring the only two batters he faced. Cody Allen worked the ninth for his 31st save in 34 opportunities.
Trevor Bauer tuned up for the postseason by striking out nine over six innings of three-run ball. Bauer will start Game 1 of the Division Series against Boston.
REDS 7, CUBS 4
CINCINNATI (AP) — Jon Lester failed to become a 20-game winner, struggling for the first time since mid-July as the Reds pulled away to a victory over what's likely to be the Cubs' lineup for the first game of the playoffs.
Lester (19-5) gave up five runs in five innings, including Eugenio Suarez's two-run homer and a pair of RBIs by Joey Votto. The left-hander hadn't allowed five runs in a start since July 9.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon has been getting players — especially his starting pitchers — some rest heading into the postseason. Even so, the Cubs have won eight of 12, finishing one of their best regular seasons with a flourish. Chicago's 102 victories are its most since 1910.
Tim Adleman (4-4) gave up three runs in five innings as part of a rare Reds victory over Chicago.
RAYS 4, RANGERS 1
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Colby Lewis lost his fifth straight start in the right-hander's tuneup for the playoffs, allowing Corey Dickerson's three-run homer in Tampa Bay's victory.
All four runs off Lewis (6-5) came in the third inning and were unearned.
The Rangers rested most of their starters a night after the AL West winners clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Texas (95-66) remains a win shy of the franchise record.
Jake Odorizzi (10-6) struck out eight in six innings, giving up his only run on Robinson Chirinos' eighth homer in the sixth.
Alex Colome pitched around Dickerson's dropped fly ball leading off the ninth for his 37th save.
TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 0
CHICAGO (AP) — Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco each hit a two-run home run to send James Shields to a major league high-tying 19th loss.
The Twins got 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball from Hector Santiago (13-10) in their third win in 14 games.
Shields (6-19) concluded a career-worst season split between San Diego and Chicago by allowing five runs and four hits over seven innings.
ASTROS 3, ANGELS 0
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Collin McHugh pitched three-hit ball over 7 2/3 innings to help Houston beat Los Angeles.
Tyler Skaggs (3-4) was removed after 1 2/3 innings. Ken Giles converted his 15th save.
BREWERS 4, ROCKIES 3
DENVER (AP) — Chris Carter hit a tiebreaking home run with two outs in the 10th inning, leading Milwaukee over Colorado.
Carter's 41st homer of the season came on a 3-2 pitch against Adam Ottavino (1-3).
The Rockies tied it against Tyler Thornburg (7-5) in the ninth on pinch-hitter Tom Murphy's RBI double.
DIAMONDBACKS 9, PADRES 5
PHOENIX (AP) — Yasmany Tomas hit a three-run homer as part of Arizona's five-run first inning in a win.
The Diamondbacks stole six bases, including a franchise record-tying four in the first inning.
Diamondbacks starter Archie Bradley (8-9) struck out a career high 11 in seven innings.
Clayton Richard (3-4) gave up four earned runs and six hits with four walks in 4 1/3 innings for the Padres.
ATHLETICS 9, MARINERS 8. 10 INNINGS
SEATTLE (AP) — Joey Wendle hit a tiebreaking RBI double off Edwin Diaz in the top of the 10th inning, and Oakland ended Seattle's playoff hopes.
Nelson Cruz's comebacker with a man on in the bottom of the inning deflected off pitcher Ryan Madson (6-7) almost directly to first base, preventing Ben Gamel from scoring from second base.
Madson also escaped a bases-loaded situation in the ninth.
Seattle needed to win out to have a chance at an AL wild card.
Bruce Maxwell opened the 10th with a double off Diaz (0-4) and Wendle's fourth hit of the night put Oakland in front.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
MLB Transactions from September 30, 2016
Boston Red Sox reassigned 3B Yoan Moncada to the minor leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals activated LF Matt Holliday from the 15-day disabled list.
Texas Rangers activated RF Shin-Soo Choo from the 15-day disabled list.
Cleveland Indians activated C Yan Gomes from the 60-day disabled list.
Cleveland Indians placed RHP Carlos Carrasco on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to September 17, 2016. Broken right hand.
Baltimore Orioles activated LHP Wade Miley from the paternity list.
Baseball Capsules (October 1, 2016)
BOSTON (AP) — David Ortiz hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Friday night.
The AL East champion Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak and stayed a half-game ahead of Cleveland in the race for home-field advantage when their playoff series begins next week.
The Blue Jays fell one game behind Baltimore in the wild-card race and are now within range of Detroit and Seattle in the fight for the AL's final postseason berth.
With his image mowed into the grass in center for the final regular-season series of his career, Ortiz hit his 38th homer of the year — and No. 541 of his career — to help Boston rally from a 3-1 deficit with four runs in the seventh.
Dustin Pedroia had three hits for Boston, and Brad Ziegler (2-3) picked up the win with one inning of scoreless relief. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 31st save.
Devon Travis had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Jose Bautista homered for Toronto. Joe Biagini (4-3) got the loss.
RANGERS 3, RAYS 1
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Yu Darvish looked playoff-ready with a season-high 12 strikeouts in six innings, and Texas clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The Rangers have the tiebreakers over fellow contenders Boston and Cleveland. The AL owns home-field advantage in the World Series thanks to its win in the All-Star Game.
Darvish (7-5) allowed one run and three hits.
Shin-Soo Choo returned to Texas' lineup after missing 39 games with a fractured left forearm. Choo pulled a single to right in his first plate appearance since Aug. 15 and went 1 for 4.
Matt Andriese (8-8) gave up three runs and seven hits, including solo home runs to Carlos Beltran and Rougned Odor.
ORIOLES 8, YANKEES 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore's Mark Trumbo hit his major league-leading 47th home run, and Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones also went deep in a six-run fifth inning.
The Orioles opened a one-game lead over the Blue Jays and remain 1 1/2 games in front of Detroit for the AL's two wild cards. Two games are left, and the Orioles' magic number for a postseason berth is two.
Trumbo and Jones homered off Michael Pineda (6-12), who started with 3 2/3 hitless innings and suddenly became ineffective.
Schoop tied his career high with five RBIs. Yovani Gallardo (6-8) won for just the second time in nine starts since Aug. 5, allowing two hits, three walks and Mark Teixeira's sacrifice fly in six innings.
Eliminated on Thursday, New York rested two regulars and pulled four others by the sixth inning.
METS 5, PHILLIES 1
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jay Bruce homered for the third straight game and drove in three runs, Robert Gsellman threw six sharp innings and the Mets moved closer to securing a wild-card berth.
The defending NL champions reduced their magic number to one. The Mets began the night atop the wild-card race, with San Francisco one game back and St. Louis two behind.
Gsellman (4-2) scattered seven hits and struck out seven.
Philadelphia starter Alec Asher (2-1) allowed three runs and five hits in six-plus innings.
CARDINALS 7, PIRATES 0
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carlos Martinez pitched seven sharp innings, Matt Holliday hit an emotional home run and St. Louis stayed in the middle of the NL wild-card race.
The Cardinals began the day trailing San Francisco by one game for the second wild card. The Giants hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers later Thursday night.
Martinez (16-9) gave up five singles, walked one and struck out nine.
Holliday, who broke his left thumb when he was hit by a pitch Aug. 11, asked the club to activate him Friday to make what could be his farewell appearance in a Cardinals uniform. The Cardinals are not planning to pick up their $17 million option on his contract for 2017.
Holliday received a standing ovation before he pinch-hit in the seventh and responded with his 20th homer, and then came out for a curtain call.
Pittsburgh's Tyler Glasnow (0-2) pitched five innings of one-run ball.
TIGERS 6, BRAVES 2
ATLANTA (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hit two home runs, Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton also connected and Detroit moved up in the playoff race.
The Tigers won their third straight and pulled within a half-game of Toronto for the second AL wild card.
The regular season is scheduled to end Sunday, but the Tigers might need to play beyond that. They were rained out against Cleveland this week and would have to make up that game if it impacts their playoff chances.
Detroit's Daniel Norris (4-2) gave up one run and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings.
The Braves, playing their final series at Turner Field before moving north to the suburbs next year, had won 10 of 11. Matt Wisler (7-13) got the loss.
MARLINS 7, NATIONALS 4
WASHINGTON (AP) — Christian Yelich homered for Miami, and Dee Gordon's infield single in the sixth inning scored the go-ahead run.
The game began following a 1 hour, 43 minute rain delay. The series opener came a day after a memorial service in Florida for Jose Fernandez. The Marlins ace died in a boating accident Sunday.
Mike Dunn (6-1) got the win and A.J. Ramos pitched the ninth for his 40th save.
Anthony Rendon and Stephen Drew hit back-to-back home runs for Washington in a four-run fourth. Sammy Solis (2-4) got the loss.
Bryce Harper went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts in his return to the Nationals lineup after sitting out the previous four days with a left thumb injury.
CUBS 7, REDS 3
CINCINNATI (AP) — Ben Zobrist homered twice and drove in three runs, helping the Cubs to the win.
Jake Buchanan (1-0) pitched five shutout innings as Chicago improved to 14-3 against Cincinnati this season with two games to play. The right-hander allowed two hits in his first start since 2014 with Houston.
Anthony Rizzo also drove in two runs for the NL Central champions, who were coming off a rare tie in Pittsburgh due to rain.
Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the ninth for last-place Cincinnati, which announced before the game that manager Bryan Price would return next season. Josh Smith (3-3) was charged with two runs and three hits in five-plus innings.
WHITE SOX 7, TWINS 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Rodon tied an AL record by striking out the first seven batters and Tim Anderson had three hits to help the White Sox hand the Twins their 103rd loss — the most since the franchise moved to Minnesota.
Rodon (9-10) finished with 10 strikeouts in six innings and was charged with three runs and three hits. Anderson also drove in two runs in Chicago's sixth win in seven games.
Tyler Duffey (9-12) gave up five runs in two-plus innings to ensure Minnesota won't have a 10-game winner while reaching the most losses since the Washington Senators went 50-104 in 1949. The 57-103 Twins have two games left.
INDIANS 7, ROYALS 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan Merritt retired his final 13 batters while pitching five strong innings in his first big league start and Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer for Cleveland.
Merritt (1-0) gave up a run on three hits in the first, but nothing after that. Merritt, who had made three relief appearances after being promoted Sept. 11 from Triple-A Columbus, threw 62 pitches, striking out four and walking none.
Lindor, who snapped an 0-for-29 drought with a double in a four-run third, homered off the left-field foul pole in the seventh.
Kansas City's Yordano Ventura (11-12) gave up four runs and six hits in six innings.
ROCKIES 4, BREWERS 1
DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado hit his NL-leading 41st homer for Colorado, and Chad Bettis pitched effectively into the seventh inning.
Bettis (14-8) allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings while extending a career high in wins this season. He struck out five in the Rockies' first win in four games against Milwaukee this season.
Carlos Estevez got four outs before Adam Ottavino worked the ninth for his seventh save.
Chris Carter connected in the fourth inning, becoming the sixth player in Brewers history to reach 40 home runs in a season. Brent Suter (2-2) got the loss.
GIANTS 9, DODGERS 3
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner lined a key two-run double in the sixth and emphatically pumped his arms while yelling in celebration at second base, and San Francisco maintained its slim lead for the second NL wild card.
Brandon Belt added a three-run homer in the seven-run inning and Bumgarner (15-9) beat the Dodgers for the first time in seven starts since May 21, 2015. It was win No. 100 of his career.
The Mets stayed one game ahead of the Giants for the top wild card, while San Francisco remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot.
Angel Pagan might have made the play of the night — without his glove or bat. He body-slammed a male fan in the left field grass during the fourth inning after he ran onto the field.
Once Rich Hill left the game, San Francisco pounced against Brandon McCarthy (2-3).
ANGELS 7, ASTROS 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jefry Marte homered and scored twice and Daniel Wright earned his first major league victory to help the Angels beat Houston.
In Wright's ninth big league appearance, he limited the Astros to one run and six hits while striking out five. Wright (1-5), who was claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 4, became the 24th pitcher to get a win for the Angels this season, setting an American League record. The Texas Rangers previously held the record with 23 winning pitchers in 2014.
Mike Trout set a club record with his 114th walk of the season, breaking Tony Phillips' previous Angels record set in 1995. Trout stole two bases, bringing his season total to 29.
The Angels broke the game open with a four-run second inning. Brad Peacock (0-1) loaded the bases with no outs for Kaleb Cowart, who doubled to empty them. Kowart took third on the throw, allowing him to score while Ji-Man Choi was caught in a rundown two batters later.
MARINERS 5, ATHLETICS 1
SEATTLE (AP) — Robinson Cano hit two home runs, Taijuan Walker pitched six effective innings and Seattle moved within one game of the second AL wild-card spot.
Seattle, which has won seven of nine, is one game behind Toronto for the second spot. The Mariners also trail Detroit by a half-game.
Cano had a two-run homer in the first. He added his 38th home run in the third, a solo shot that gave him 100 RBIs for the season. Norichika Aoki and Nelson Cruz also homered off Raul Alcantara (1-3), who was tagged for five runs on seven hits in two-plus innings.
Walker (8-11) allowed one run on two hits in six innings, but walked five in a 113-pitch outing. The only run came on Ryon Healy's 13th homer to open the sixth. Evan Scribner, Nick Vincent and Steve Cishek each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, PADRES 3
PHOENIX (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Owings each hit a two-run home run and Arizona opened its final series of a disappointing season with a win.
Ryan Schimpf hit a two-run home run for San Diego.
Randall Delgado (5-2) pitched an inning of relief to get the victory. Patrick Corbin threw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief before Daniel Hudson came on to get Wil Myers to pop out to first for his fifth save.
Edwin Jackson (5-7) gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings to take the loss.
The crowd for the matchup between the bottom two teams in the NL West was announced at 42,651, the second-largest of the season at home for the Diamondbacks. Only the season opener drew more.
The AL East champion Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak and stayed a half-game ahead of Cleveland in the race for home-field advantage when their playoff series begins next week.
The Blue Jays fell one game behind Baltimore in the wild-card race and are now within range of Detroit and Seattle in the fight for the AL's final postseason berth.
With his image mowed into the grass in center for the final regular-season series of his career, Ortiz hit his 38th homer of the year — and No. 541 of his career — to help Boston rally from a 3-1 deficit with four runs in the seventh.
Dustin Pedroia had three hits for Boston, and Brad Ziegler (2-3) picked up the win with one inning of scoreless relief. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 31st save.
Devon Travis had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Jose Bautista homered for Toronto. Joe Biagini (4-3) got the loss.
RANGERS 3, RAYS 1
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Yu Darvish looked playoff-ready with a season-high 12 strikeouts in six innings, and Texas clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The Rangers have the tiebreakers over fellow contenders Boston and Cleveland. The AL owns home-field advantage in the World Series thanks to its win in the All-Star Game.
Darvish (7-5) allowed one run and three hits.
Shin-Soo Choo returned to Texas' lineup after missing 39 games with a fractured left forearm. Choo pulled a single to right in his first plate appearance since Aug. 15 and went 1 for 4.
Matt Andriese (8-8) gave up three runs and seven hits, including solo home runs to Carlos Beltran and Rougned Odor.
ORIOLES 8, YANKEES 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore's Mark Trumbo hit his major league-leading 47th home run, and Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones also went deep in a six-run fifth inning.
The Orioles opened a one-game lead over the Blue Jays and remain 1 1/2 games in front of Detroit for the AL's two wild cards. Two games are left, and the Orioles' magic number for a postseason berth is two.
Trumbo and Jones homered off Michael Pineda (6-12), who started with 3 2/3 hitless innings and suddenly became ineffective.
Schoop tied his career high with five RBIs. Yovani Gallardo (6-8) won for just the second time in nine starts since Aug. 5, allowing two hits, three walks and Mark Teixeira's sacrifice fly in six innings.
Eliminated on Thursday, New York rested two regulars and pulled four others by the sixth inning.
METS 5, PHILLIES 1
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jay Bruce homered for the third straight game and drove in three runs, Robert Gsellman threw six sharp innings and the Mets moved closer to securing a wild-card berth.
The defending NL champions reduced their magic number to one. The Mets began the night atop the wild-card race, with San Francisco one game back and St. Louis two behind.
Gsellman (4-2) scattered seven hits and struck out seven.
Philadelphia starter Alec Asher (2-1) allowed three runs and five hits in six-plus innings.
CARDINALS 7, PIRATES 0
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carlos Martinez pitched seven sharp innings, Matt Holliday hit an emotional home run and St. Louis stayed in the middle of the NL wild-card race.
The Cardinals began the day trailing San Francisco by one game for the second wild card. The Giants hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers later Thursday night.
Martinez (16-9) gave up five singles, walked one and struck out nine.
Holliday, who broke his left thumb when he was hit by a pitch Aug. 11, asked the club to activate him Friday to make what could be his farewell appearance in a Cardinals uniform. The Cardinals are not planning to pick up their $17 million option on his contract for 2017.
Holliday received a standing ovation before he pinch-hit in the seventh and responded with his 20th homer, and then came out for a curtain call.
Pittsburgh's Tyler Glasnow (0-2) pitched five innings of one-run ball.
TIGERS 6, BRAVES 2
ATLANTA (AP) — Miguel Cabrera hit two home runs, Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton also connected and Detroit moved up in the playoff race.
The Tigers won their third straight and pulled within a half-game of Toronto for the second AL wild card.
The regular season is scheduled to end Sunday, but the Tigers might need to play beyond that. They were rained out against Cleveland this week and would have to make up that game if it impacts their playoff chances.
Detroit's Daniel Norris (4-2) gave up one run and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings.
The Braves, playing their final series at Turner Field before moving north to the suburbs next year, had won 10 of 11. Matt Wisler (7-13) got the loss.
MARLINS 7, NATIONALS 4
WASHINGTON (AP) — Christian Yelich homered for Miami, and Dee Gordon's infield single in the sixth inning scored the go-ahead run.
The game began following a 1 hour, 43 minute rain delay. The series opener came a day after a memorial service in Florida for Jose Fernandez. The Marlins ace died in a boating accident Sunday.
Mike Dunn (6-1) got the win and A.J. Ramos pitched the ninth for his 40th save.
Anthony Rendon and Stephen Drew hit back-to-back home runs for Washington in a four-run fourth. Sammy Solis (2-4) got the loss.
Bryce Harper went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts in his return to the Nationals lineup after sitting out the previous four days with a left thumb injury.
CUBS 7, REDS 3
CINCINNATI (AP) — Ben Zobrist homered twice and drove in three runs, helping the Cubs to the win.
Jake Buchanan (1-0) pitched five shutout innings as Chicago improved to 14-3 against Cincinnati this season with two games to play. The right-hander allowed two hits in his first start since 2014 with Houston.
Anthony Rizzo also drove in two runs for the NL Central champions, who were coming off a rare tie in Pittsburgh due to rain.
Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the ninth for last-place Cincinnati, which announced before the game that manager Bryan Price would return next season. Josh Smith (3-3) was charged with two runs and three hits in five-plus innings.
WHITE SOX 7, TWINS 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Rodon tied an AL record by striking out the first seven batters and Tim Anderson had three hits to help the White Sox hand the Twins their 103rd loss — the most since the franchise moved to Minnesota.
Rodon (9-10) finished with 10 strikeouts in six innings and was charged with three runs and three hits. Anderson also drove in two runs in Chicago's sixth win in seven games.
Tyler Duffey (9-12) gave up five runs in two-plus innings to ensure Minnesota won't have a 10-game winner while reaching the most losses since the Washington Senators went 50-104 in 1949. The 57-103 Twins have two games left.
INDIANS 7, ROYALS 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan Merritt retired his final 13 batters while pitching five strong innings in his first big league start and Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer for Cleveland.
Merritt (1-0) gave up a run on three hits in the first, but nothing after that. Merritt, who had made three relief appearances after being promoted Sept. 11 from Triple-A Columbus, threw 62 pitches, striking out four and walking none.
Lindor, who snapped an 0-for-29 drought with a double in a four-run third, homered off the left-field foul pole in the seventh.
Kansas City's Yordano Ventura (11-12) gave up four runs and six hits in six innings.
ROCKIES 4, BREWERS 1
DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado hit his NL-leading 41st homer for Colorado, and Chad Bettis pitched effectively into the seventh inning.
Bettis (14-8) allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings while extending a career high in wins this season. He struck out five in the Rockies' first win in four games against Milwaukee this season.
Carlos Estevez got four outs before Adam Ottavino worked the ninth for his seventh save.
Chris Carter connected in the fourth inning, becoming the sixth player in Brewers history to reach 40 home runs in a season. Brent Suter (2-2) got the loss.
GIANTS 9, DODGERS 3
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner lined a key two-run double in the sixth and emphatically pumped his arms while yelling in celebration at second base, and San Francisco maintained its slim lead for the second NL wild card.
Brandon Belt added a three-run homer in the seven-run inning and Bumgarner (15-9) beat the Dodgers for the first time in seven starts since May 21, 2015. It was win No. 100 of his career.
The Mets stayed one game ahead of the Giants for the top wild card, while San Francisco remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot.
Angel Pagan might have made the play of the night — without his glove or bat. He body-slammed a male fan in the left field grass during the fourth inning after he ran onto the field.
Once Rich Hill left the game, San Francisco pounced against Brandon McCarthy (2-3).
ANGELS 7, ASTROS 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jefry Marte homered and scored twice and Daniel Wright earned his first major league victory to help the Angels beat Houston.
In Wright's ninth big league appearance, he limited the Astros to one run and six hits while striking out five. Wright (1-5), who was claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 4, became the 24th pitcher to get a win for the Angels this season, setting an American League record. The Texas Rangers previously held the record with 23 winning pitchers in 2014.
Mike Trout set a club record with his 114th walk of the season, breaking Tony Phillips' previous Angels record set in 1995. Trout stole two bases, bringing his season total to 29.
The Angels broke the game open with a four-run second inning. Brad Peacock (0-1) loaded the bases with no outs for Kaleb Cowart, who doubled to empty them. Kowart took third on the throw, allowing him to score while Ji-Man Choi was caught in a rundown two batters later.
MARINERS 5, ATHLETICS 1
SEATTLE (AP) — Robinson Cano hit two home runs, Taijuan Walker pitched six effective innings and Seattle moved within one game of the second AL wild-card spot.
Seattle, which has won seven of nine, is one game behind Toronto for the second spot. The Mariners also trail Detroit by a half-game.
Cano had a two-run homer in the first. He added his 38th home run in the third, a solo shot that gave him 100 RBIs for the season. Norichika Aoki and Nelson Cruz also homered off Raul Alcantara (1-3), who was tagged for five runs on seven hits in two-plus innings.
Walker (8-11) allowed one run on two hits in six innings, but walked five in a 113-pitch outing. The only run came on Ryon Healy's 13th homer to open the sixth. Evan Scribner, Nick Vincent and Steve Cishek each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, PADRES 3
PHOENIX (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Owings each hit a two-run home run and Arizona opened its final series of a disappointing season with a win.
Ryan Schimpf hit a two-run home run for San Diego.
Randall Delgado (5-2) pitched an inning of relief to get the victory. Patrick Corbin threw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief before Daniel Hudson came on to get Wil Myers to pop out to first for his fifth save.
Edwin Jackson (5-7) gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings to take the loss.
The crowd for the matchup between the bottom two teams in the NL West was announced at 42,651, the second-largest of the season at home for the Diamondbacks. Only the season opener drew more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)