It was not a full slate of action on Labor Day, although most of the league was in action. Milwaukee put themselves in the driver’s seat in the NL Central with another win over the Cubs, while pitching reigned supreme in Philly.
Brewers take season series from Cubs
The Brewers took the first game of a three-game series with the Cubs on September 7, plus something else that’ll help with Milwaukee’s quest to win the NL Central.
Chicago entered the eighth with a 2-1 lead over the Brewers. However, Craig Counsell allowed Matthew Boyd to start the eighth. He let the first two runners on, and Ryan Zeferjahn allowed both to score on a two-run single by Jackson Chourio. Christian Yelich drove in Chourio to make it 4-2, which wound up being the game-winning run.
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 41st home run of the season in the ninth, a solo shot. But that wasn’t enough.
It should be noted that Milwaukee has now won seven of the first 11 games of the season series with the Cubs. Thus, the Brewers clinched the tiebreaker over the Cubs, should that be needed to win the NL Central. As of the start of play on the 8th, Chicago would need to go +9 to pass the Brewers in the division race.
Phillies win 1-0 over Braves
Additionally, the Cubs’ loss helped the Phillies regain the first NL Wild Card spot. Philadelphia defeated the Braves 1-0 to do their part on Labor Day,
Jesús Luzardo was masterful, as he struck out 12 in a complete-game shutout. The only run of the game came by way of Kyle Schwarber‘s 43rd home run of the season.
Braves pitcher Grant Holmes struck out six over six scoreless innings.
Orioles get big win
After a tough week, the Orioles had a chance to get back into it with a win against the Guardians. Baltimore did just that, defeating Cleveland 6-4.
Trevor Rogers was masterful, as he allowed just one run and struck out six over 7.1 IP. And the offense did their job, as well.
The bottom-third of the Orioles’ lineup (Samuel Basallo, Rece Hinds, Dylan Beavers) combined for five hits. Coby Mayo had two home runs in the win.
D-Backs win in extras
The Diamondbacks won 5-4 in extras to keep pace with the San Diego Padres.
No runs were scored in this one until the 10th. Noah Cameron struck out seven over six scoreless innings, while the bullpen for the Royals did their part. As for the Diamondbacks, five relievers pieced together the first nine innings.
But in the 10th, Arizona put up five. After a Lars Nootbaar sac fly, Geraldo Perdomo technically drove in two, one of which came in via a throwing error. Gabriel Moreno brought Perdomo home with an RBI single, and Nolan Arenado made it 5-0 with an RBI single of his own. Kansas City scored four in the bottom half.
That win helped the Diamondbacks retain the third NL Wild Card spot for now.
Everything else
- Mets def Marlins 9-4
- Red Sox def. Angels 5-2
- Tigers def. Twins 5-4
- Padres def. Nationals 3-2
- Giants def. Cardinals 5-4 (11)
- Dodgers def. Reds 6-3
- Athletics def. Blue Jays 6-5
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