Cleveland received a break on September 9, as the Guardians are still in a playoff spot despite losing to the Orioles. Arizona, meanwhile, didn’t get a break, as the Padres’ victory on the day put San Diego past the D-Backs.
Guardians lose again
The Orioles won 9-5 over the Guardians, keeping Baltimore in the playoff race and dealing Cleveland a series loss.
It was a day for the bats, as starters Shane Baz and Foster Griffin combined for 13 charged earned runs. Griffin allowed seven hits, walked two, and was charged with eight earned runs over 2.1 IP. Dylan Beavers, Carlos Narvaez, and Leody Taveras each had two hits, with Beavers driving in two.
Chase DeLauter and Nathaniel Lowe hit home runs off Baz, who went 5.2 IP.
Luckily for the Guardians, both the Blue Jays and Rangers lost on the 9th. Meaning, for now, the Guardians retain control of the third & final AL Wild Card spot.
Sanchez wins 17th game
Philadelphia won 11-7, and Cristopher Sanchez notched his 17th win of the season.
The Phillies were down 4-0 in the third, as Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes combined to drive in three. Jose Altuve hit a double later that inning, which was his 2,500th career hit.
However, Philadelphia’s offense saved the day and then some. Trea Turner made it a one-run game in the fifth with his 19th home run, and the Phillies drove in six in the sixth. Highlighted in there was a grand slam by Kyle Schwarber.
Brewers sweep Cubs
That win for the Phillies looms large for the Cubs, as Chicago is now 1.5 games back of Philadelphia for the first NL Wild Card spot. The Cubs lost again in Milwaukee, as the Brewers won 8-6 to clinch a series sweep.
For the second time in a week, Logan Henderson stymied the Cubs. This time around, he struck out six over five innings, allowing one unearned run. Chicago was able to get four off Brandon Sproat out of the bullpen but it wasn’t enough.
Milwaukee hit Kevin Gausman hard this time around, as he gave up home runs to Christian Yelich, William Contreras, and Jackson Chourio. Gausman only went four innings.
Padres take down Nats
San Diego finished their series with the Nationals by defeating Washington 9-2.
The Nationals scored two off Walker Buehler, who went 2.1 IP, in the third. However, the Nats couldn’t get anything else off the Padres’ bullpen, as five relievers shut the door.
Jackson Merrill hit two more home runs, giving him 24 on the season. It was part of a four-hit day for Merrill. Ty France and Fernando Tatis Jr. each had three hits, while Austin Hays and Samad Taylor had two.
Arizona slide in Wild Card race
The Diamondbacks lost 5-2 to the Royals, ceding the third NL Wild Card spot to San Diego.
Kansas City’s youngsters did most of the damage. Carter Jensen hit a solo shot in the third, making it 2-0 after a throwing error from James McCann allowed John Rave to score one inning earlier. Bobby Witt Jr. tallied a three-run shot in the fifth inning.
Jordan Lawlar and Nolan Arenado each had two hits. Arenado belted his 23rd home run in the loss.
Everything else
- Tigers def. Twins 7-2
- Athletics def. Blue Jays 2-0
- Giants def. Cardinals 7-6
- Mariners def. Rangers 3-2
- Mets def. Marlins 15-14
- Angels def. Red Sox 6-4
- Yankees def. Rockies 6-1
- Rays def. Braves 7-2
- Pirates def. White Sox 4-2
- Dodgers def. Refs 14-1
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