Indians’ win streak stopped at 22
The Cleveland Indians can return to clinching their division and playoff preparations.
Their historic winning streak is, well, history.
Cleveland had its AL record run stopped at 22 straight games on Friday night as the Indians were beaten 4-3 by the Kansas City Royals, who became the first team to conquer the defending league champions since Aug. 23.
Jason Vargas (16-10) pitched into the sixth and Brandon Moss homered off Trevor Bauer (16-9) as the Royals ended baseball's longest win streak in 101 years. The Indians set a new league mark and came within four of matching the overall record held by the 1916 New York Giants.
Jays 4, Indians 3
Josh Donaldson homered and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning with an infield single that ricocheted off the mound, sending the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory on Friday night over the Minnesota Twins to slow their push toward the post-season.
The Twins had a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the second AL wild card going into the night, with the Seattle Mariners 3 1/2 games back. The New York Yankees hold the first wild card with a four-game edge on the Twins.
Twins starter Bartolo Colon (4-5 in the AL, 6-13 overall) did his best to get the Blue Jays to hit catchable balls, but the 44year-old faltered after four scoreless innings. Kevin Pillar homered in fifth. Then Donaldson went deep in the sixth.
Athletics 4. Phillies 0
Old-school Daniel Mengden pitched like an old-time ace.
Mengden was dominant in a two-hitter, Matt Olson and Matt Joyce each hit two-run homers and the Oakland Athletics beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-0 on Friday night.
“It felt great,” Mengden said. “We dream about doing it since we're little and coming all the way up and doing it is a great feeling.”
Braves 3, Mets 2
Sean Newcomb recorded eight strikeouts, including five straight, and the Atlanta Braves beat Rafael Montero and the New York Mets 3-2 on Friday night.
The Mets, who couldn't hold a 2-1 lead, have lost five straight
Newcomb (3-8) gave up two runs on six hits and one walk in 5 1/3 innings. The rookie left-hander's eight strikeouts fell one shy of his career high.