Dodgers lose; Tribe win; Nationals take NL East
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers insist they’re in this season for the long haul, unwilling to change what got them to 92 victories.
At the same time, manager Dave Roberts is searching for something, anything, to get his team out of its funk.
“I’m open for suggestions,” he said after the NL West leaders lost their 10th straight game for their worst skid in 25 years, routed by Mark Reynolds and the Colorado Rockies 8-1 Sunday.
“We have a very frustrated and upset clubhouse,” Roberts said.
Reynolds hit a grand slam, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story also homered, and Tyler Chatwood pitched five scoreless innings. The Rockies remained three games ahead of St. Louis and Milwaukee for the second NL wild-card spot.
INDIANS 3, ORIOLES 2: In Cleveland, the Indians stretched their franchise-record winning streak to 18 games, beating the Orioles behind homers from Francisco Lindor and Roberto Perez.
Cleveland’s streak is the longest in the majors since Oakland won 20 straight in 2002.
Cleveland hasn’t lost since Aug. 23 and has outscored its opponents 121-32 in the streak. Cleveland has trailed in only four of 162 innings during the stretch.
NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 2 : In Washington, the Nationals became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season, winning the NL East as Stephen Strasburg extended his scoreless streak to a franchiserecord 34 innings in a win over Philadelphia.
The Nationals also won the NL East in 2012, 2014 and last season, but have not advanced past the divisional round of the postseason.
“This one was very, very gratifying. Even though it looked like we had a comfortable lead, it was still a struggle,” manager Dusty Baker said. “A lot of our top guys were hurt.”
BRAVES 10, MARLINS 8 (11): In Atlanta, Rio Ruiz had a tying, two-run single with two outs in a three-run ninth and Lane Adams hit a two-run homer off Vance Worley in the 11th that gave the Braves a win.
BREWERS 3, CUBS 1: In Chicago, Travis Shaw hit a two-run homer to back Zach Davies, and Milwaukee completed a threegame sweep and close within two games of the NL Central leaders. CARDINALS 7, PIRATES 0: In St. Louis, Yadier Molina hit a three-run homer and tied a career high with five RBIs, Michael Wacha pitched eight strong innings and the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh. DIAMONDBACKS 3, PADRES 2: In Phoenix, Paul Goldschmidt homered on his 30th birthday and J.D. Martinez went deep twice, helping Arizona avoid a three-game sweep. REDS 10, METS 5: In New York, Reds manager Bryan Price put his argument with umpires on pause for the singing of “God Bless America,” then Cincinnati surged past the Mets on Tucker Barnhart’s five RBIs.
YANKEES 16, RANGERS 7: In Arlington, Texas, Aaron Judge became the second major league rookie with a 40-homer season, going deep twice as the AL wild cardleading Yankees got a series clinching win over Texas.
ANGELS 5, MARINERS 3: In Seattle, Justin Upton had a two-run double in the eighth inning to help Los Angeles avoid a sweep, moving the Angels one game out of the second wild card spot.
BLUE JAYS 8, TIGERS 2: In Toronto, Teoscar Hernandez hit his first two home runs of the season and the Blue Jays beat Detroit to assure the Tigers of just their second losing season in a decade.
WHITE SOX 8, GIANTS 1: In Chicago, Jose Abreu connected for two home runs a day after hitting for the cycle, leading the White Sox in an interleague matchup of last-place teams.
ROYALS 11, TWINS 3: In Kansas City, Mo., Jason Vargas snapped a personal four-game losing streak with his career high 15th victory and the Royals beat Minnesota.
RAYS 4, RED SOX 1: In Boston, reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello was dealt his major league-leading 17th loss as Tampa Bay beat the Red Sox.
ATHLETICS 10, ASTROS 2: In Oakland, Calif., Astros ace Dallas Keuchel walked in two runs and hit a batter to force in another during a shaky sixth inning, and the Athletics completed a four-game sweep.