Dodgers Pull Away From Mets in Kershaw's Return
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had the New York Mets' number for over two years now, and they enjoyed that success, while also getting their ace back on the mound Saturday night. Clayton Kershaw lasted just three innings in his first game back due to a pitch count, but the Dodgers won their 11th straight over the Mets, 8-3, on the road. Kershaw allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four, as he was pulled after throwing 55 pitches. Jacob deGrom struggled for the Mets, giving up three runs over six innings in his third loss of the year. That helped the Dodgers extend their win streak over the Mets, which dates back to May of 2016. This is the second time that the Dodgers have won 11 in a row over New York, as they also did so from 1963-1964. Rookie Caleb Ferguson replaced Kershaw and went four innings to earn his first major league victory. Ferguson threw four scoreless innings, including escaping multiple threats from the Mets. deGrom surrendered Max Muncy's 14th home run of the season, and had not allowed three earned runs in a start since April 16th against the Washington Nationals. He entered the game with a major league-leading 1.51 ERA. The Mets have now dropped five in a row overall and 12 of 13 games at home, as they sit 10 games under .500 at Citi Field. They have scored four or fewer runs in 15 straight home games, a drought that dates back to May 20th. Matt Kemp had a big blow to help the Dodgers pull away, hitting a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth for his eighth career grand slam and 13th home run of the season. He is the first Dodger with a pinch-hit grand slam since Manny Ramirez did it in 2009. The Dodgers will go for the sweep in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
Leake, Mariners Snap Skid at Fenway
The Seattle Mariners went on an unbelievable run to challenge the Houston Astros in the AL West, but all it took was an AL East road trip to knock them off their high horse. They snapped their skid on Saturday night with a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mike Leake pitched eight shutout innings and struck out five, as the Mariners snapped a season-high five-game losing streak. Mitch Haniger drove in three runs to lead the support for Leake, who earned his eighth win of the year. The M's were able to get to Eduardo Rodriguez, who allowed four runs and lasted just four innings to suffer just his second loss. This prevented Rodriguez from earning his 10th win of the season. Leake allowed just three singles and walked two just six days after allowing five runs and taking the loss at Safeco Field against the Red Sox. Leake was pulled for the ninth, as Edwin Diaz allowed two runs in a non-save opportunity, but eventually closed out the game. The M's did not give Leake a chance to earn his first shutout since he had one on September 30th, 2015 against the San Francisco Giants as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nelson Cruz had three hits and scored twice, a day after driving in seven on Friday. J.D. Martinez was also coming off a big day, where he drove in five on Friday, but was held to just two hits on Saturday. The loss for Rodriguez snapped a personal six-game winning streak, as the Red Sox were 13-1 in his starts coming in to play. The M's win sets up the rubber game of the series on Sunday afternoon.
Correa, Astros Walk Off Against Royals
Carlos Correa has turned in to the Houston Astros' most clutch hitter, and he showed why at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night. Correa hit the walk-off RBI single in the Astros' 4-3 over the Kansas City Royals in 12 innings. Correa drove in two, as the Astros rallied in the ninth to force extras, behind Evan Gattis's sacrifice fly. Correa haunted the Royals, who intentionally walked Jose Altuve to face him in the 12th, this after walking George Springer and giving up an Alex Bregman single. Springer scored the winning run as Justin Grimm fell to 1-3 for the Royals out of the bullpen. Correa now has six career game-ending hits, as this was his first since August 1st, 2016 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Collin McHugh threw a perfect inning to move to 3-0 on the season, as the Astros' bullpen combined for six shutout innings in the win. The Royals nearly pulled off a second straight upset after Ian Kennedy went seven innings and allowed just two runs on four hits. Despite that outing, the Royals have dropped 10 of their past 11. They did lead 3-2 heading in to the ninth inning thanks to a three-run home run from rookie Hunter Dozier. That came off of Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr., who struck out nine over six innings in a no-decision effort. Houston now holds a 3.5-game lead on the Mariners for the top spot in the AL West, as they will look to take the series from the last place Royals on Sunday afternoon.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had the New York Mets' number for over two years now, and they enjoyed that success, while also getting their ace back on the mound Saturday night. Clayton Kershaw lasted just three innings in his first game back due to a pitch count, but the Dodgers won their 11th straight over the Mets, 8-3, on the road. Kershaw allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four, as he was pulled after throwing 55 pitches. Jacob deGrom struggled for the Mets, giving up three runs over six innings in his third loss of the year. That helped the Dodgers extend their win streak over the Mets, which dates back to May of 2016. This is the second time that the Dodgers have won 11 in a row over New York, as they also did so from 1963-1964. Rookie Caleb Ferguson replaced Kershaw and went four innings to earn his first major league victory. Ferguson threw four scoreless innings, including escaping multiple threats from the Mets. deGrom surrendered Max Muncy's 14th home run of the season, and had not allowed three earned runs in a start since April 16th against the Washington Nationals. He entered the game with a major league-leading 1.51 ERA. The Mets have now dropped five in a row overall and 12 of 13 games at home, as they sit 10 games under .500 at Citi Field. They have scored four or fewer runs in 15 straight home games, a drought that dates back to May 20th. Matt Kemp had a big blow to help the Dodgers pull away, hitting a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth for his eighth career grand slam and 13th home run of the season. He is the first Dodger with a pinch-hit grand slam since Manny Ramirez did it in 2009. The Dodgers will go for the sweep in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
Leake, Mariners Snap Skid at Fenway
The Seattle Mariners went on an unbelievable run to challenge the Houston Astros in the AL West, but all it took was an AL East road trip to knock them off their high horse. They snapped their skid on Saturday night with a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mike Leake pitched eight shutout innings and struck out five, as the Mariners snapped a season-high five-game losing streak. Mitch Haniger drove in three runs to lead the support for Leake, who earned his eighth win of the year. The M's were able to get to Eduardo Rodriguez, who allowed four runs and lasted just four innings to suffer just his second loss. This prevented Rodriguez from earning his 10th win of the season. Leake allowed just three singles and walked two just six days after allowing five runs and taking the loss at Safeco Field against the Red Sox. Leake was pulled for the ninth, as Edwin Diaz allowed two runs in a non-save opportunity, but eventually closed out the game. The M's did not give Leake a chance to earn his first shutout since he had one on September 30th, 2015 against the San Francisco Giants as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nelson Cruz had three hits and scored twice, a day after driving in seven on Friday. J.D. Martinez was also coming off a big day, where he drove in five on Friday, but was held to just two hits on Saturday. The loss for Rodriguez snapped a personal six-game winning streak, as the Red Sox were 13-1 in his starts coming in to play. The M's win sets up the rubber game of the series on Sunday afternoon.
Correa, Astros Walk Off Against Royals
Carlos Correa has turned in to the Houston Astros' most clutch hitter, and he showed why at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night. Correa hit the walk-off RBI single in the Astros' 4-3 over the Kansas City Royals in 12 innings. Correa drove in two, as the Astros rallied in the ninth to force extras, behind Evan Gattis's sacrifice fly. Correa haunted the Royals, who intentionally walked Jose Altuve to face him in the 12th, this after walking George Springer and giving up an Alex Bregman single. Springer scored the winning run as Justin Grimm fell to 1-3 for the Royals out of the bullpen. Correa now has six career game-ending hits, as this was his first since August 1st, 2016 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Collin McHugh threw a perfect inning to move to 3-0 on the season, as the Astros' bullpen combined for six shutout innings in the win. The Royals nearly pulled off a second straight upset after Ian Kennedy went seven innings and allowed just two runs on four hits. Despite that outing, the Royals have dropped 10 of their past 11. They did lead 3-2 heading in to the ninth inning thanks to a three-run home run from rookie Hunter Dozier. That came off of Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr., who struck out nine over six innings in a no-decision effort. Houston now holds a 3.5-game lead on the Mariners for the top spot in the AL West, as they will look to take the series from the last place Royals on Sunday afternoon.
