Puig hits 3 HRs in Dodgers’ rout
Right fielder Yasiel Puig homered three times and had a career-high seven RBI as the visiting Dodgers walloped the Cardinals 17-4 on Saturday to move ahead of the Cardinals into sole possession of the second NL wild card.
It was the first three-homer game for Puig, who also homered twice Friday. He became the fourth Dodger (Cody Bellinger, Adrian Beltre, Shawn Green) since 2000 with consecutive multihomer games.
The Dodgers have homered in 23 consecutive games, the longest streak in the majors this season and one shy of the franchise record set in 1953.
The defending NL champions have won four consecutive games and nine of their last 14. The Cardinals have lost four consecutive games for the third time this season and have dropped eight of their last 13 games.
♦ The Brewers fell 2½ games behind the Cubs in the NL Central after falling 3-1 to the visiting Pirates. The Brewers’ Christian Yelich homered to extend his streak of games in which he has reached base to 30, the longest active streak in the majors.
♦ The Indians clinched their third consecutive AL Central title with a 15-0 blowout of the visiting Tigers. Shortstop Francisco Lindor led off with a homer, his 35th overall and eighth leading off. The latter broke the club record he shared with Grady Sizemore (2008).
Right-hander Trevor Bauer, who suffered a stress fracture in his leg on a line drive Aug. 11, threw 40 pitches off the mound with no issues. He is scheduled for a bullpen session Tuesday.
♦ Left fielder Juan Soto, 19, became the youngest player to steal three bases in a game in the Nationals’ 7-1 victory against the host Braves. The Athletics’ Rickey Henderson held the record, stealing three in 1979 when he was 20.
Rodgers participates in practice
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took part in the Packers’ light practice Saturday, the first time this week he has practiced. Rodgers is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of the game against the visiting Vikings on Sunday.
♦ The Browns announced that they intend to release wide receiver Josh Gordon, whose immense talent has been overshadowed by substance abuse that has derailed a promising career. The news came hours after the team said he wouldn’t play against the Saints because of a hamstring injury.
♦ Buccaneers receiver DeSean Jackson reportedly will be cleared from concussion protocol and will play against the visiting Eagles.
♦ The Bills cut receiver Jeremy Kerley.