Bruce Caps Off Indians' Rally for 22nd Straight Win
The Cleveland Indians' win streak came as close to its end as it has been in three weeks, as it took a comeback and extra innings for The Tribe to extend their historic run. Francisco Lindor tied the game in the ninth with an RBI double, which lead to Jay Bruce's walk-off double in the 10th for a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. The win extended their American League record win streak to 22 in a row, moving them past the 1935 Chicago Cubs for second-longest in baseball history, The sold out crowd at Progressive Field celebrated their defending A.L. Champions, although, the night would get even more celebratory later on. Hours later, the Los Angeles Angels' loss to the Houston Astros made them the first American League team to clinch a playoff spot. Jose Ramirez scored the winning run after leading off the 10th with a double, as the Royals chose to pitch to Bruce after intentionally walking Edwin Encarnacion. The AL Central leaders now have a magic number of four to clinch the division, and also sit four games shy of tying the 1916 New York Giants for the longest win streak in baseball history. Although, the Giants' streak is an unbeaten streak, as their was one tie involved in that. The "Windians" will look to keep their win streak alive as their series with the Royals continues on Friday night.
Twins Walk-Off For Second Straight Night
The Minnesota Twins kept their clutch play going on Thursday night, as they needed extra innings for a second straight night to pull off a win at Target Field. Byron Buxton gave the second AL Wild Card team their second consecutive walk-off with a solo home run in the 10th for a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Eddie Rosario had a walk-off blast on Wednesday night to beat the San Diego Padres in 10 innings, as the Twins improved their lead to three games on the Los Angeles Angels in the Wild Card standings. The Seattle Mariners are also within striking distance at 3.5 games back. Buxton's game-winner came off of Luis Santos for his 15th long ball of the season. He has 10 homers and 25 RBI in his last 25 games, and has hit four home runs in four games against the Blue Jays this season. Dillon Gee threw a scoreless 10th to earn his second win for Minnesota, who has won six of their past eight games, and now has five walk-off victories this season. The Twins' bullpen was able to keep the Jays' bats silent for most of the night, until Justin Smoak forced extras with a ninth-inning home run. The surprising Twins will look to stay hot in their quest for an American League playoff spot, as they host the Blue Jays for three more games this weekend.
Watson Wins First NFL Start For Texans
The Houston Texans were starting their ninth quarterback under head coach Bill O'Brien on Thursday night, but this one worked out for them on the road. Deshaun Watson threw for 125 yards, and scored a 49-yard touchdown on the ground in the Texans' 13-9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson's long run was the only touchdown of the game, as the Bengals' offense continued to struggle behind quarterback Andy Dalton. The Bengals' QB threw for 224 yards on 20-for-35 passing, coming off a five-turnover game in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals actually out-gained the Texans in the yards category, but could not find the end zone on the night, as they were held to three Randy Bullock field goals. They are the first team since the 1939 Philadelphia Eagles to start the season with two home games and not score a touchdown. The rookie Watson was named the Houston starter after taking over for Tom Savage in a Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Clemson QB led a crucial 13-play drive that ended in a Ka'imi Fairbairn 42-yard field goal that added insurance to the Houston lead. The Bengals tried a lateral play in the final seconds, which J.J. Watt ended abruptly with a huge hit, as the Texans improved to 6-1 against a Dalton-led Bengals team. Houston will have a tough road test in Week 3 against the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. The Bengals look to figure out their offensive woes with a road matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
The Cleveland Indians' win streak came as close to its end as it has been in three weeks, as it took a comeback and extra innings for The Tribe to extend their historic run. Francisco Lindor tied the game in the ninth with an RBI double, which lead to Jay Bruce's walk-off double in the 10th for a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. The win extended their American League record win streak to 22 in a row, moving them past the 1935 Chicago Cubs for second-longest in baseball history, The sold out crowd at Progressive Field celebrated their defending A.L. Champions, although, the night would get even more celebratory later on. Hours later, the Los Angeles Angels' loss to the Houston Astros made them the first American League team to clinch a playoff spot. Jose Ramirez scored the winning run after leading off the 10th with a double, as the Royals chose to pitch to Bruce after intentionally walking Edwin Encarnacion. The AL Central leaders now have a magic number of four to clinch the division, and also sit four games shy of tying the 1916 New York Giants for the longest win streak in baseball history. Although, the Giants' streak is an unbeaten streak, as their was one tie involved in that. The "Windians" will look to keep their win streak alive as their series with the Royals continues on Friday night.
Twins Walk-Off For Second Straight Night
The Minnesota Twins kept their clutch play going on Thursday night, as they needed extra innings for a second straight night to pull off a win at Target Field. Byron Buxton gave the second AL Wild Card team their second consecutive walk-off with a solo home run in the 10th for a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Eddie Rosario had a walk-off blast on Wednesday night to beat the San Diego Padres in 10 innings, as the Twins improved their lead to three games on the Los Angeles Angels in the Wild Card standings. The Seattle Mariners are also within striking distance at 3.5 games back. Buxton's game-winner came off of Luis Santos for his 15th long ball of the season. He has 10 homers and 25 RBI in his last 25 games, and has hit four home runs in four games against the Blue Jays this season. Dillon Gee threw a scoreless 10th to earn his second win for Minnesota, who has won six of their past eight games, and now has five walk-off victories this season. The Twins' bullpen was able to keep the Jays' bats silent for most of the night, until Justin Smoak forced extras with a ninth-inning home run. The surprising Twins will look to stay hot in their quest for an American League playoff spot, as they host the Blue Jays for three more games this weekend.
Watson Wins First NFL Start For Texans
The Houston Texans were starting their ninth quarterback under head coach Bill O'Brien on Thursday night, but this one worked out for them on the road. Deshaun Watson threw for 125 yards, and scored a 49-yard touchdown on the ground in the Texans' 13-9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson's long run was the only touchdown of the game, as the Bengals' offense continued to struggle behind quarterback Andy Dalton. The Bengals' QB threw for 224 yards on 20-for-35 passing, coming off a five-turnover game in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals actually out-gained the Texans in the yards category, but could not find the end zone on the night, as they were held to three Randy Bullock field goals. They are the first team since the 1939 Philadelphia Eagles to start the season with two home games and not score a touchdown. The rookie Watson was named the Houston starter after taking over for Tom Savage in a Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Clemson QB led a crucial 13-play drive that ended in a Ka'imi Fairbairn 42-yard field goal that added insurance to the Houston lead. The Bengals tried a lateral play in the final seconds, which J.J. Watt ended abruptly with a huge hit, as the Texans improved to 6-1 against a Dalton-led Bengals team. Houston will have a tough road test in Week 3 against the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. The Bengals look to figure out their offensive woes with a road matchup against the Green Bay Packers.