Royals ‘halt’ Indians AL record win streak
Dodgers bats overpower Nationals 7-0
Los Angeles Dodgers Chase Utley (26) swing and hits the ball during the third inning of a baseball game against
the Washington Nationals in Washington on Sept 15. (AP)
CLEVELAND, Sept 16, (AP): The Cleveland Indians can return to clinching their division and playoff preparations.
Their historic winning streak is, well, history.
Cleveland’s AL-record run was stopped at 22 straight games by Friday night’s 4-3 loss to 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.
With one last chance in the ninth, the Indians put the tying run on base before Mike Minor struck out the side for his first pro save, fanning Francisco Lindor on a pitch in the dirt for the final out.
Dodgers 7, Nationals 0 In Washington, Alex Wood struck out eight in six innings, Corey Seager hit a three-run homer during a five-run second and the Dodgers won on the road.
Wood (15-3) allowed three hits and walked one. Los Angeles has won three in a row after losing 11 consecu- tive games and 16 of 17.
The teams entered the highly anticipated three-game series having clinched playoff berths and owning the top two records in the National League. The Dodgers lowered their magic number to clinch the NL West to six.
Brewers 10, Marlins 2 In Milwaukee, Neil Walker hit a grand slam during an eight-run eighth inning, and the Brewers beat the Marlins in the opening game of a series relocated from Miami to Milwaukee because of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
The Marlins were technically the home team and batted in the bottom of the innings. Milwaukee even used palm trees, fake flamingos and giant blue and pink sea shells to give Miller Park a South Florida feel.
Miami’s Dee Gordon went hitless in four at-bats to end his 17-game hitting streak. Brian Ellington (0-1) got the loss.
Red Sox 13, Rays 6, 15 innings In St. Petersburg, Fla, Xander Bogaerts had two hits in Boston’s sevenrun 15th inning and the Red Sox beat Tampa Bay in a game that lasted 6 hours, 5 minutes.
Austin Pruitt (7-5) walked Jackie Bradley Jr. to lead off the top of the 15th. Bogaerts followed with a single. Dustin Pedroia hit a ground ball that closer to clinching the AL West title.
Houston’s magic number dropped to two, meaning the Astros could secure their first division championship since 2001 with a win on Saturday if the Angels lose Friday or Saturday.
Diamondbacks 3, Giants 2 In San Francisco, Robbie Ray won his fifth straight start and A.J. Pollock hit a two-run double as Arizona beat San Francisco.
Ray (14-5) struck out 10 and gave up two runs (one earned), six hits and no walks as the Diamondbacks won for the 19th time in 24 games and for the eighth straight time on the road.
Blue Jays 4, Twins 3 In Minneapolis, Josh Donaldson homered and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning with an infield single that ricocheted off the mound, sending Toronto to the win.
J.A. Happ (9-10) pitched into the seventh inning in his third straight win, and Roberto Osuna got three outs for his 36th save in 46 opportunities.
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 fourgame edge on the Twins.
Angels 7, Rangers 6 In Anaheim, Calif, C.J. Cron hit a two-run homer to cap the a five-run rally in the sixth inning, and Los Angeles trimmed its deficit in the AL wildcard race to two games.
Andrelton Simmons had two runscoring singles for the Angels (75-72), who gained a game on the Minnesota Twins (77-70) with just their third win in eight games.
Los Angeles used seven pitchers in a bullpen start, with former closer Bud Norris getting the first six outs. Yusmeiro Petit (5-0) pitched two perfect innings, and Blake Parker earned a sixout save.
Rockies 6, Padres 1 In Denver, Tyler Chatwood pitched into the sixth inning and drove in his first runs of the season, helping the Rockies to the victory.
Nolan Arenado homered as Colorado remained 2 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee and moved 3 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis for the second NL wild card.
Reds 4, Pirates 2 In Cincinnati, Zack Cozart hit two of Cincinnati’s four solo home runs, powering the last-place Reds to the victory.
Joey Votto and Scott Schebler also connected, sending the Pirates to their third straight loss and eighth in the last nine games.
Homer Bailey (5-8) allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings for his first win in six starts since Aug. 11. Raisel Iglesias got five outs for his 27th save.
Athletics 4, Phillies 0 In Philadelphia, Daniel Mengden pitched a two-hitter for Oakland, and Matt Olson and Matt Joyce each hit a two-run homer.
Mengden (1-1) struck out seven and walked none in his first career shutout in his 18th start. J.P Crawford had both hits off Mengden. Phillies starter Mark Leiter Jr. (3-6) allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings.
Tigers 3, White Sox 2 In Detroit, Mikie Mahtook hit a game-ending RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning, helping Detroit stop a six-game skid.
Former Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque (0-2) walked Jeimer Candelario with one out in the ninth, and Aaron Bummer walked Tyler Collins with two outs. White Sox manager Rick Renteria brought in Juan Minaya, who uncorked a wild pitch to move the runners to second and third.
Braves 3, Mets 2 In Atlanta, Sean Newcomb struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings, and the Braves handed the Mets their fifth straight loss.
Newcomb (3-8) gave up two runs and six hits. Arodys Vizcaino pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 13 opportunities.