Elliot Solid, Cowboys Shut Down Giants
For at least one night, the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott were able to put all the off-the-field issues behind them in an impressive season opener. Elliott ran for 104 yards, while Jason Witten scored the lone touchdown in the Cowboys' 19-3 win over the New York Giants. Witten also broke the franchise record by passing Michael Irvin for most career receiving yards, as he finished with 59 yards on seven catches in Sunday's win. Elliott added 36 receiving yards just two days after finding out that he will be able to play the entire season while his legal issues are played out. Dak Prescott began his second year in the NFL by throwing for 268 yards and the one score to Witten, while not turning the ball over. Meanwhile, the Cowboys defense took advantage of a Giants' offense that was without star receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. who was ruled inactive an hour before the game due to his lingering ankle injury suffered in the second preseason game. Eli Manning struggled to find a big play, as he completed 29 passes for just 220 yards and one interception. The Giants' run game was nearly non-existent to make up for Beckham's absence, as they finished with 35 yards on the ground. They will play their home opener on Monday Night Football next week against the Detroit Lions, while the Cowboys go out west for a matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Indians Extend Win Streak to 18 in a Row
The Cleveland Indians brought their unbelievable run to national television on Sunday night to show it off to the world, as they extended their win streak to 18 in a row with a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Francisco Lindor and Roberto Perez both went deep to help extend the longest win streak since the Oakland Athletics' 20 in a row in 2002. They are a little over a week away from tying the 1916 New York Giants' 26-game streak, which is the longest in baseball history. Trevor Bauer threw 6.1 innings of two-run baseball, moving in to a tie with Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox for the American League lead with 16 victories. Jose Ramirez knocked in a run with a first-inning groundout in his return, this after missing the previous three games with a sore wrist. The Orioles on the other hand have now dropped four in a row and now sit three games out in the Wild Card standings. Chris Davis's solo home run and Jonathan Schoop's RBI single were the only run producing plays for Baltimore. Jeremy Hellickson lasted six innings and allowed three runs in his fourth loss. The AL Central Division leaders will remain home with hopes of keeping their streak alive on Monday night against the Detroit Tigers.
Nationals Top Phillies to Clinch NL East
While the Cleveland Indians continue their torrid streak, the Washington Nationals have quietly been dominating the NL East Division all season long. On Sunday, they made it official yet again by clinching their fourth NL East title in the past six years with a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Stephen Strasburg dominated on the day by striking out 10 and extending his scoreless streak to a franchise-record 34 innings by shutting out the Phillies' bats in the series finale. The game lasted just two hours and 16 minutes at Nationals Park, as the Miami Marlins' extra-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves sealed the division title for the Nats. Strasburg lasted eight innings and walked just one, while facing one batter over the minimum, before Ryan Madson came in for his first save of the season. Since returning from the disabled list, Strasburg has gone 3-1 with a 0.51 ERA and 41 strikeouts. He has not allowed a run since August 19th against the San Diego Padres. Trea Turner led the way at the plate with a home run and a triple, while Victor Robles recorded his first major league hit and RBI on the day. Washington also won the division titles in 2012, 2014, and last season, but has not won an NLDS in any of those scenarios. Despite their 10-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers still hold the National League's best record, but the Nationals sit just four games behind them.
For at least one night, the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott were able to put all the off-the-field issues behind them in an impressive season opener. Elliott ran for 104 yards, while Jason Witten scored the lone touchdown in the Cowboys' 19-3 win over the New York Giants. Witten also broke the franchise record by passing Michael Irvin for most career receiving yards, as he finished with 59 yards on seven catches in Sunday's win. Elliott added 36 receiving yards just two days after finding out that he will be able to play the entire season while his legal issues are played out. Dak Prescott began his second year in the NFL by throwing for 268 yards and the one score to Witten, while not turning the ball over. Meanwhile, the Cowboys defense took advantage of a Giants' offense that was without star receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. who was ruled inactive an hour before the game due to his lingering ankle injury suffered in the second preseason game. Eli Manning struggled to find a big play, as he completed 29 passes for just 220 yards and one interception. The Giants' run game was nearly non-existent to make up for Beckham's absence, as they finished with 35 yards on the ground. They will play their home opener on Monday Night Football next week against the Detroit Lions, while the Cowboys go out west for a matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Indians Extend Win Streak to 18 in a Row
The Cleveland Indians brought their unbelievable run to national television on Sunday night to show it off to the world, as they extended their win streak to 18 in a row with a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Francisco Lindor and Roberto Perez both went deep to help extend the longest win streak since the Oakland Athletics' 20 in a row in 2002. They are a little over a week away from tying the 1916 New York Giants' 26-game streak, which is the longest in baseball history. Trevor Bauer threw 6.1 innings of two-run baseball, moving in to a tie with Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox for the American League lead with 16 victories. Jose Ramirez knocked in a run with a first-inning groundout in his return, this after missing the previous three games with a sore wrist. The Orioles on the other hand have now dropped four in a row and now sit three games out in the Wild Card standings. Chris Davis's solo home run and Jonathan Schoop's RBI single were the only run producing plays for Baltimore. Jeremy Hellickson lasted six innings and allowed three runs in his fourth loss. The AL Central Division leaders will remain home with hopes of keeping their streak alive on Monday night against the Detroit Tigers.
Nationals Top Phillies to Clinch NL East
While the Cleveland Indians continue their torrid streak, the Washington Nationals have quietly been dominating the NL East Division all season long. On Sunday, they made it official yet again by clinching their fourth NL East title in the past six years with a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Stephen Strasburg dominated on the day by striking out 10 and extending his scoreless streak to a franchise-record 34 innings by shutting out the Phillies' bats in the series finale. The game lasted just two hours and 16 minutes at Nationals Park, as the Miami Marlins' extra-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves sealed the division title for the Nats. Strasburg lasted eight innings and walked just one, while facing one batter over the minimum, before Ryan Madson came in for his first save of the season. Since returning from the disabled list, Strasburg has gone 3-1 with a 0.51 ERA and 41 strikeouts. He has not allowed a run since August 19th against the San Diego Padres. Trea Turner led the way at the plate with a home run and a triple, while Victor Robles recorded his first major league hit and RBI on the day. Washington also won the division titles in 2012, 2014, and last season, but has not won an NLDS in any of those scenarios. Despite their 10-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers still hold the National League's best record, but the Nationals sit just four games behind them.
