McNeil’s throw saves Mets
NEW YORK — Second baseman Jeff McNeil made a game-saving throw from right field to home plate for the final out, and the New York Mets held off the St. Louis Cardinals 8-7 on Saturday night after starter Noah Syndergaard exited with a strained right hamstring.
Pete Alonso smashed a mammoth three-run homer for the Mets in a five -run first inning against Michael Wacha (4-3). J.D. Davis homered and had four hits, finishing a triple short of the cycle. And this time, New York’s bullpen finally held on — barely — after blowing late leads in the first two games of the series.
Seth Lugo struck out three in the eighth, fanning Matt Carpenter with the bases loaded to end the inning. Closer Edwin Diaz gave up a two-out RBI single to Yadier Molina in the ninth, and Kolten Wong lofted a blooper toward the right field line.
McNeil sprinted a long way in pursuit and converged with outfielder Michael Conforto, but neither was able to get there in time to make the catch. Conforto tumbled to the ground, but McNeil stayed on his feet and quickly grabbed the ball as it trickled away. He turned and made a perfect one-hop throw to the plate, easily nailing Jack Flaherty — the Cardinals pitcher who was pinch-running for the slow-footed Molina.
Flaherty looked back at the ball between second and third, then stumbled a bit coming around third, and it cost him.
Sy n d e rg a a rd (5-4) reached for his right hamstring after throwing a pitch in the seventh and was taken out of the game.
The Yankees neared a trade for Seattle slugger Edwin Encarnacion on Saturday night, looking to boost a powerpacked lineup beset by injuries. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the teams were trying to complete the deal. It was not immediately known what the Yankees might send to the Mariners. The 36-yearold Encarnacion began the day leading the AL with 21 home runs.
Dallas Keuchel’s second start in the minors since signing with the Braves was a little more of a struggle than his first. The 31-year-old left-hander gave up three runs and 11 hits over seven innings for Double-A Mississippi of the Southern League. He struck out four and walked one, throwing 106 pitches, i n c l u d i n g 74 st r i ke s. Keuchel said he felt good physically and would have a discussion with the Braves front office to see if his next outing would be in the majors or with another minor-league affiliate.
Rookie Nick Senzel fouled a pitch off his left eye and came out of the game against the Rangers. The outfielder fouled a pitch from Mike Minor into the dirt, the ball deflecting off his foot and hitting the bill of his helmet and his eye. A trainer applied a towel and helped him off the field. Senzel was the second overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Tennessee. He hit three homers in his first four games, a franchise record.
Charlie Morton’s luck finally ran out. He suffered his first loss in 22 starts when the Angels hit three homers in a 5-3 victory over the Rays. It was his first loss since Aug. 11, when he was with the Astros. He struck out nine in six innings, giving up four runs on five hits, including a couple of home runs. David Fletcher, Justin Bour and Kevan Smith homered for the Angels.
Catcher Steven Vogt hit two triples and left fielder Mike Yastrzemski made a nifty catch for the final out to help the Giants beat the Brewers 8-7. The Giants rallied from a 5-1 deficit for their fourth straight win. Christian Yelich hit his major leagueleading 26th homer for the Brewers, who have lost three of four. Yelich connected for a solo drive with two outs in the ninth and Ryan Braun followed with a single for his third hit. Yasmani Grandal then hit a drive to left-center field, but Yastrzemski made a diving grab to end it.
The Padres know the reputation of Coors Field all too well. Comebacks are always possible — like one for the ages Friday night. Hunter Renfroe hit his third homer of the game in the 12th inning after Fernando Tatis Jr. tied it as part of a six-run rally in the ninth in a 16-12 victory over the Rockies. The Padres had never overcome a deficit of six or more runs in the ninth, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Tatis led off the 12th with a triple and scored on Austin Allen’s double off Jairo Diaz (1-1). Manny Machado added an RBI double and Renfroe hit a towering tworun homer to wrap up an improbable win. Renfroe also had a solo shot in the second and two-run homer in the ninth.