Braves clinch first NL East crown in five years
The Atlanta Braves capped a most surprising season by clinching their first NL East crown since 2013, with Mike Foltynewicz taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning Saturday in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
A year after going 70-92, manager Brian Snitker and his Baby Braves surged back into the playoffs. A loud crowd at SunTrust Park joined the celebration as star Freddie Freeman, rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. and the rest of the Braves reveled.
Foltynewicz (12-10) tipped his cap to a standing ovation as he left with runners on first and second in the eighth with a 4-0 lead.
Arodys Vizcaino, in his first save situation since June 17, closed out the ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances.
YANKEES 3, ORIOLES 2, 11 INN. >> Aaron Hicks doubled home the winning run in the 11th inning, and New York clinched an AL wild card spot. Rookie manager Aaron Boone will lead the Yankees into the winner-takeall Oct. 3 wild-card game, most likely against Oakland. The Yankees are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Athletics for home-field advantage and are 53-27 at home this season. Hicks and Luke Voit homered in the second inning, but the Orioles tied the score with runs in the third and the fifth. NATIONALS 6, METS 0 >> Rookie Austin Voth and four relievers combined on a one-hitter and Washington posted the shutout hours after being officially eliminated from playoff contention. Matt Wieters and Trea Turner homered for Washington. Voth (1-1), making his second major league start, allowed only an infield single to Michael Conforto leading off the fourth. Voth struck out five in five innings. INDIANS 5, RED SOX 4, 11 INN. >> Michael Brantley singled in the winning run in the 11th inning off Drew Pomeranz (2-6), delaying Boston’s bid for a club record 106th victory and homefield advantage throughout the postseason.