Dodgers Hit 7 HRs, Sweep Mets in Extras
Not often do you need extra innings to get the win after hitting seven balls out of the ballpark in a game. That was the odd case for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, who completed the sweep of the New York Mets with an 8-7 win in 11 innings. Their seventh home run, a solo shot off the bat of Justin Turner, proved to be the game-winner in the 11th, as they recorded their 12th straight win over the Mets. Cody Bellinger and Kike Hernandez each hit two home runs, as the Dodgers also handed the Mets their sixth straight loss. Max Muncy and Joc Pederson also went deep, as Hernandez and Pederson began the game with back-to-back shots. The Dodgers set the Citi Field record with their seven home runs, while also falling just short of their franchise record of eight, which was done in 2002 against the Milwaukee Brewers. They have gone 25-9 since falling 10 games under .500 on May 16th, as their success against the Mets dates back to May of 2016. They have also won three in a row since dropping two of three against the Chicago Cubs, as they now sit just 2.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top spot in the NL West. The D-backs completed the four-game series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 3-0 win on Sunday afternoon. The Mets tied a franchise record for most home runs allowed in a game, but they made things interesting when Kevin Plawecki tied things up with a three-run shot in the eighth. They last gave up seven home runs in a game on April 30th, 2017 against the Washington Nationals. Their struggles at home continued as they have dropped 13 of 14 at Citi Field. They will stay home to host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. The Dodgers return home to host the Chicago Cubs that same night.
Sale Pitches Red Sox to Series Win Over Mariners
Chris Sale is almost always on top of his game, but he just might have been on another level on Sunday afternoon. The left-hander struck out 13 batters over seven innings, as the Boston Red Sox shut out the Seattle Mariners, 5-0, to take two of three from the weekend series. Sale gave up just four hits and walked one in his seventh win, as the Red Sox pulled back in to a tie for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees. Sale ended his day with a 100 mph fastball that struck out Mike Zunino, while Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes each had scoreless inning to end the game, which lasted just two hours, 29 minutes. The Red Sox's ace got off to a hot start by striking out 10 of the first 16 batters he faced, including the side in the fifth inning. Jack Bradley Jr. provided some support with three singles, while Rafael Devers doubled home a run to get Boston's bats going. This comes after struggling in a 7-2 loss on Saturday, following a 14-run, 20-hit outburst on Friday night. Marco Gonzales ended up surrendering five runs on seven hits over six innings in his fifth loss. He struck out seven and walked one, as he was in a scoreless pitching duel through four innings. Mitch Moreland had a two-run home run to headline a three-run fifth for the Red Sox, who earned a series win after splitting a series at Safeco Field last weekend. They will stay home to host the Los Angeles Angels, beginning on Tuesday. The Mariners' AL East road trip continues with a series against the Baltimore Orioles, which kicks off on Monday night.
Nationals Rally to Avoid Sweep Against Phillies
The Washington Nationals were haunted by a slow start, as well as two rebuilding teams that have found success this season, as the Nats find themselves behind both of those teams in the NL East. They faced one of them this weekend, and nearly were swept away at Nationals Park. It took a rally on Sunday night to avoid that sweep, as the Nationals got past the Philadelphia Phillies for an 8-6 victory. Daniel Murphy had the go-ahead two-run single in the three-run eighth inning, as the Nats pulled within a half game of the Phillies in the division. Anthony Rendon went deep and doubled, while Bryce Harper set a career high with three doubles, as the Nationals overcame consecutive home losses to their division rivals. They have struggled in the month of June, as their record for the month improved to just 8-12. Ryan Madson pitched the eighth inning to earn his second win, while Sean Doolittle came on in the ninth to record his 21st save. There has been no drama as to who would be where in the back end of the bullpen since the acquisition of Kelvin Herrera from the Kansas City Royals, as both Doolitte and Herrera have settled in to their roles. The former Royals closer has gotten the eighth innings and non-save opportunities in the first week with his new team. Seranthony Dominguez gave up the Nats' game-changing inning for his second loss, as the Phillies saw a 6-2 lead go away. Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams both went deep for Philadelphia, who had won three in a row. The game was delayed for 38 minutes due to rain in the fourth inning, causing the game to go past 12:30am local time. The Nats hit the road for an interleague series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. Meanwhile, the Phillies return home for an interleague series of their own with the New York Yankees.
Not often do you need extra innings to get the win after hitting seven balls out of the ballpark in a game. That was the odd case for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, who completed the sweep of the New York Mets with an 8-7 win in 11 innings. Their seventh home run, a solo shot off the bat of Justin Turner, proved to be the game-winner in the 11th, as they recorded their 12th straight win over the Mets. Cody Bellinger and Kike Hernandez each hit two home runs, as the Dodgers also handed the Mets their sixth straight loss. Max Muncy and Joc Pederson also went deep, as Hernandez and Pederson began the game with back-to-back shots. The Dodgers set the Citi Field record with their seven home runs, while also falling just short of their franchise record of eight, which was done in 2002 against the Milwaukee Brewers. They have gone 25-9 since falling 10 games under .500 on May 16th, as their success against the Mets dates back to May of 2016. They have also won three in a row since dropping two of three against the Chicago Cubs, as they now sit just 2.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top spot in the NL West. The D-backs completed the four-game series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 3-0 win on Sunday afternoon. The Mets tied a franchise record for most home runs allowed in a game, but they made things interesting when Kevin Plawecki tied things up with a three-run shot in the eighth. They last gave up seven home runs in a game on April 30th, 2017 against the Washington Nationals. Their struggles at home continued as they have dropped 13 of 14 at Citi Field. They will stay home to host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. The Dodgers return home to host the Chicago Cubs that same night.
Sale Pitches Red Sox to Series Win Over Mariners
Chris Sale is almost always on top of his game, but he just might have been on another level on Sunday afternoon. The left-hander struck out 13 batters over seven innings, as the Boston Red Sox shut out the Seattle Mariners, 5-0, to take two of three from the weekend series. Sale gave up just four hits and walked one in his seventh win, as the Red Sox pulled back in to a tie for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees. Sale ended his day with a 100 mph fastball that struck out Mike Zunino, while Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes each had scoreless inning to end the game, which lasted just two hours, 29 minutes. The Red Sox's ace got off to a hot start by striking out 10 of the first 16 batters he faced, including the side in the fifth inning. Jack Bradley Jr. provided some support with three singles, while Rafael Devers doubled home a run to get Boston's bats going. This comes after struggling in a 7-2 loss on Saturday, following a 14-run, 20-hit outburst on Friday night. Marco Gonzales ended up surrendering five runs on seven hits over six innings in his fifth loss. He struck out seven and walked one, as he was in a scoreless pitching duel through four innings. Mitch Moreland had a two-run home run to headline a three-run fifth for the Red Sox, who earned a series win after splitting a series at Safeco Field last weekend. They will stay home to host the Los Angeles Angels, beginning on Tuesday. The Mariners' AL East road trip continues with a series against the Baltimore Orioles, which kicks off on Monday night.
Nationals Rally to Avoid Sweep Against Phillies
The Washington Nationals were haunted by a slow start, as well as two rebuilding teams that have found success this season, as the Nats find themselves behind both of those teams in the NL East. They faced one of them this weekend, and nearly were swept away at Nationals Park. It took a rally on Sunday night to avoid that sweep, as the Nationals got past the Philadelphia Phillies for an 8-6 victory. Daniel Murphy had the go-ahead two-run single in the three-run eighth inning, as the Nats pulled within a half game of the Phillies in the division. Anthony Rendon went deep and doubled, while Bryce Harper set a career high with three doubles, as the Nationals overcame consecutive home losses to their division rivals. They have struggled in the month of June, as their record for the month improved to just 8-12. Ryan Madson pitched the eighth inning to earn his second win, while Sean Doolittle came on in the ninth to record his 21st save. There has been no drama as to who would be where in the back end of the bullpen since the acquisition of Kelvin Herrera from the Kansas City Royals, as both Doolitte and Herrera have settled in to their roles. The former Royals closer has gotten the eighth innings and non-save opportunities in the first week with his new team. Seranthony Dominguez gave up the Nats' game-changing inning for his second loss, as the Phillies saw a 6-2 lead go away. Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams both went deep for Philadelphia, who had won three in a row. The game was delayed for 38 minutes due to rain in the fourth inning, causing the game to go past 12:30am local time. The Nats hit the road for an interleague series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. Meanwhile, the Phillies return home for an interleague series of their own with the New York Yankees.
