As the halfway point of August is drawing closer, fans are starting to pay more attention to MLB standings. Although the National League playoff picture seems to be taking shape, almost every team is still in contention in the American League.
Giancarlo Stanton tied the Miami Marlins record for most home runs in a single season by blasting his 42nd round-tripper of the season. The Los Angeles Angels have won six straight games and taken control of the second American League Wildcard. With the bases loaded in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader between the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals, Howie Kendrick launched a walk-off grand slam for his fourth home run of the season.
San Francisco Giants (47-71) 4
Washington Nationals (69-46) 2, Game 1
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Giants rode the arm of rookie Chris Stratton, who struck out 10 batters without allowing a run in six-and-two-thirds innings pitched. Joe Panik went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs for San Francisco.
San Francisco Giants (47-72) 2
Washington Nationals (70-46) 6, Game 2 (11 innings)
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Max Scherzer set down 10 Giants via the strikeout over seven innings pitched. Before Kendrick’s heroics, Ryan Zimmerman led the team going 3-for-5 with his 27th home run of the season while scoring twice.
Pittsburgh Pirates (58-60) 1
Toronto Blue Jays (56-71) 7
TORONTO- A two-run home run by Josh Donaldson highlighted a five-run Jays first inning. The Toronto bullpen pitched three shutout innings to seal the victory.
Colorado Rockies (65-52) 3
Miami Marlins (56-60) 5
MIAMI, FL- Stanton’s home run was his 21st in the last 32 games. Marlins starter Vance Worley helped his own cause by driving in two runs that would be the difference in Miami’s win.
Minnesota Twins (59-57) 6
Detroit Tigers (53-64) 4
DETROIT, MI- The Twins kept pace with the first-place Cleveland Indians despite an off day by 2017 ace Ervin Santana. Brian Dozier and Miguel Sano both went yard to give Minnesota eight wins in 10 games.
New York Mets (53-62) 6
Philadelphia Phillies (43-72) 2
PHILADELPHIA, PA- Curtis Granderson‘s three-hit, 3-RBI, game helped the Mets bounce back for Sunday afternoon’s game. The New York bullpen pitched four scoreless innings allowing only two base-runners.
Cincinnati Reds (49-69) 4
Milwaukee Brewers (61-59) 7
MILWAUKEE, WI- The Brewers improved to 8-4 against the Reds in 2017 as recently-acquired Neil Walker went 2-for-4 in his Milwaukee debut. Adam Duvall hit his 27th home run of the season in a losing effort for Cincinnati.
Cleveland Indians (63-52) 4
Tampa Bay Rays (59-60) 3
TAMPA BAY, FL- Jay Bruce continued to contribute for the Tribe getting his fifth hit and third RBI in only his third start of the season since coming over from the Mets. Corey Kluber struck out nine batters to extend his streak of 8+ strikeouts to 14 straight games.
Kansas City Royals (59-58) 14
Chicago White Sox (45-70) 6
CHICAGO- Jason Vargas improved to 14-6 on the season as Whit Merrifield had three hits while driving in five runs. The White Sox announced after the game that they had traded Tyler Clippard to the Houston Astros.
Atlanta Braves (52-63) 6
St. Louis Cardinals (61-57) 3
ST. LOUIS- R.A. Dickey showed flashes of his Cy Young-winning season as he allowed just one run over seven innings pitched for the Braves. Brandon Phillips had two hits and drove in two in the victory.
Houston Astros (72-45) 2
Texas Rangers (56-60) 1
ARLINGTON, TX- Dallas Keuchel improved to 10-2 on the season in a pitching duel with Rangers starter Andrew Cashner. Jose Altuve‘s fourth inning home run turned out to be a difference-maker as it turned things around following seven losses in nine games for Houston.
Baltimore Orioles (58-60) 3
Oakland Athletics (52-66) 9
OAKLAND, CA- Three home runs by Matt Joyce, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman helped pace the A’s as they tallied six runs in five innings against the Orioles’ recently acquired Jeremy Hellickson.
Chicago Cubs (61-55) 7
Arizona Diamondbacks (65-52) 2
PHOENIX, AZ- Kris Bryant and Javier Baez combined to go 5-for-8 with a home run apiece, and Jake Arrieta‘s one-run outing over six innings allowed the Cubs to take sole possession of first place in the National League Central Division.
Los Angeles Angels (61-58) 4
Seattle Mariners (59-60) 2
SEATTLE, WA- Parker Bridwell improved to 7-1 in his rookie season while lowering his ERA to 2.88 in his 12th game for the Angels. Robinson Cano had three hits for the Mariners on the night.
San Diego Padres (51-66) 4
Los Angeles Dodgers (83-34) 6
LOS ANGELES, CA- The Dodgers continued to absolutely dominate the National League as Justin Turner‘s multi-homer game drove in four runs. San Diego announced a three-year extension for manager Andy Green.
Boston Red Sox (67-50) 3
New York Yankees (61-55) 2, 10 innings
NEW YORK- Rookies led the way for Boston as the Andrew Benintendi hit the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 10th inning after Rafael Devers hit a pinch-hit game-tying home run in the top of the ninth both off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.
Leave a Reply