Over the next few weeks, expect a lot of bouncing around in the 2026 playoff race. As for what happened on September 5, the Blue Jays were able to take down the Royals and move into a Wild Card spot thanks to some help from Cleveland.
Blue Jays defeat Royals
The Blue Jays defeated the Royals 4-3 in Kansas City.
After the Royals tied the game at two in the first to match the Blue Jays’ two-run first, Kazuma Okamoto picked up an RBI double in the third to make it 3-2. John Rave tied it up with a home run in the fourth. But later on, Okamoto notched an RBI single in the seventh.
Four pitchers picked up Max Scherzer, who pitched well overall but didn’t get the decision after he allowed three runs over 5.2 IP.
Guardians slide out of playoff spot
My, how things change in a day. Just one day after the Guardians swept a doubleheader, a loss to the Tigers pushed the Guardians behind the Jays and out of the third AL Wild Card spot.
It was the Riley Greene show in Cleveland. Greene picked up four hits, two of which were home runs. He was responsible for driving in four runs. Ben Malgeri notched three hits, while John Peck and Gleyber Torres had two.
Framber Valdez tossed seven scoreless innings in the victory.
D-backs win in extras
The Diamondbacks came from behind to defeat the Houston Astros 4-3 in extra innings.
Down 3-1 heading into the seventh, Lars Nootbaar hit an RBI double to make it 3-2 Astros. Ketel Marte‘s 22nd home run tied it in the eighth. And in the tenth inning, Gabriel Moreno singled to drive in the game-winning run.
Arizona’s bullpen didn’t allow a run over 3.2 innings.
Padres fall to Yankees
One night after the Padres won on a walk-off, San Diego lost to the Yankees on the 5th.
Ben Rice had another good night, as he picked up three hits and walked twice. Cody Bellinger drove in two.
Carlos Rodon struck out seven and allowed one run over five innings.
Phillies even it up versus Braves
The Phillies won 4-2 over the Atlanta Braves.
Derek Hill, Luis Arraez, Bryce Harper, and Kyle Schwarber all had two hits. Schwarber hit his 41st home run of the season.
Drake Baldwin and Ronald Acuna Jr. had two hits. Acuna Jr. hit his 15th home run of the year.
Everything else
- Giants def. Mets 9-5
- Cubs def. Marlins 6-5
- Angels def. Pirates 6-1
- Reds def. Brewers 5-3
- Red Sox def. Orioles 5-0
- Rays def. Rangers 6-3 (10)
- Twins def. White Sox 6-4
- Rockies def. Cardinals 10-7
- Dodgers def. Nationals 6-5
- Athletics def. Mariners 6-2
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