Cubs stun Nats on Bote’s walk-off grand slam
Red Sox ace Sale returns from DL in Style Mariners sweep Astros Yankees and Mets triumpt
David Bote slugged a pinch-hit, walkoff grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Chicago Cubs a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday night at Wrigley Field.
Bote hammered a low 2-2 fastball from Washington right-hander Ryan Madson (2-5) well over the fence in center field to turn an apparent shutout loss into a memorable victory.
“I got that pitch and I was like, ‘Just get it in the air. Hit it as hard as I can to center field,’” Bote told reporters. “That was the approach, and get underneath it.”
The stunning turnaround boosted Chicago’s lead in the National League Central to three games over the second-place Milwaukee Brewers.
Multiple media outlets reported that Bote’s shot was just the second walk-off grand slam ever to erase a 3-0 deficit. The other was hit by Cincinnati Reds pinch hitter Sammy Byrd to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 23, 1936.
The Cubs’ most recent walk-off slam when down by three runs was hit by Ellis Burton on August 31, 1963.
Washington was in good shape entering the ninth after right-hander Max Scherzer struck out 11 over seven shutout innings, Mark Reynolds hit a sacrifice fly and Ryan Zimmerman delivered a two-run single to give the Nationals a 3-0 edge.
Madson retired the first batter in the bottom of the ninth before Jason Heyward reached on an infield single when second baseman Wilmer Difo was unable to handle his slow bouncer. Madson hit Albert Almora Jr. with a pitch before retiring Kyle Schwarber on a foul pop.
Madson then plunked Willson Contreras in the left shoulder on a 2-2 pitch to load the bases.
Bote then produced the decisive blast that leaves the Nationals 5½ games behind both the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.
“It’s a great feeling,” Bote said, according to MLB.com. “The teammates that we have on this team, the support, every single guy, we’re in it from Pitch 1 every single day. When you round those bases and you got the ‘W’ and I see my teammates at home plate jumping around, it’s magical.”
Red Sox 4, Orioles 1
Chris Sale returned from the disabled list with a bang, striking out 12 in five innings, and Steve Pearce homered as Boston completed a four-game sweep at Baltimore.
Sale, back from shoulder inflammation, made his first start since July 27. The lefthander did not allow a run and gave up just one hit and no walks.
Sale (12-4) fanned at least two each inning. He has won seven consecutive decisions.
Mariners 4, Astros 3 (10)
Mitch Haniger capped a terrific series with an RBI double in the 10th inning as Seattle completed a four-game sweep at Houston.
Haniger drove home Dee Gordon with his hit off Roberto Osuna (1-1) and closed the series 9-for-17 batting from the leadoff spot. Gordon stroked a one-out single off Osuna to start the rally and set the table for Mariners closer Edwin Diaz to record his 46th save on the season and fourth of the series.
Seattle drew to within four games of the Astros in the American League West. Houston has been swept in consecutive series at home, dropping eight straight games at Minute Maid Park.
Yankees 7, Rangers 2
Giancarlo Stanton homered again, CC Sabathia allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings, and New York dumped visiting Texas.
Stanton homered in the first inning for the second straight game and for the fifth time in six games. Limited to starting as the designated hitter because of left hamstring tightness, Stanton reached 30 homers for the fifth time in his career.
Sabathia (7-4) allowed only an infield single in the second inning. He struck out seven and walked three as the Yankees won for the sixth time in seven games.
Mets 4, Marlins 3
Jose Reyes and Michael Conforto homered to lead New York to a win at Miami.
Reyes hit a two-run shot, and Conforto hit a solo shot.
Noah Syndergaard (8-2) allowed seven hits, two walks and three runs in seven innings, striking out seven. He is 5-0 with a 1.96 ERA in seven career starts against Miami. Seth Lugo pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first career save.
Blue Jays 2, Rays 1
Toronto avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of visiting Tampa Bay thanks to a two-run sixth inning.
Devon Travis and Randal Grichuk picked up the RBIs in the decisive rally. Jaime Garcia (3-6) pitched a perfect sixth in relief, striking out two, to earn the win.
Ken Giles pitched a flawless ninth to earn his first save with the Blue Jays after having 12 with the Houston Astros.