Indians Sweep Tigers, Set American League Record
The Cleveland Indians picked the perfect part of the season to set an American League record with their recent hot streak, as the AL Central leaders kept their winning streak alive on Wednesday. The Tribe completed a three-game series sweep of the Detroit Tigers with a 5-3 win, extending their win streak to 21 games. The win streak snaps the 2002 Oakland A's 20-game win streak for the longest in American League history. They now are five games shy of tying the 1916 New York Giants' baseball record of 26 wins in a row, and sit tied with the 1935 Chicago Cubs' for the second-longest since 1900. Jay Bruce's first-inning, three-run home run was the difference, as Mike Clevinger won his fourth straight start for his 10th win of the season. Roberto Perez added a long ball in the seventh inning, while Cody Allen secured the record by throwing a perfect ninth inning, getting Ian Kinsler to line out to left field for his 27th save of the year. The Tigers did make things interesting after falling behind 4-1, but have now dropped 11 of their past 12 games. They also lost catcher James McCann and manager Brad Ausmus, who were both ejected for arguing balls and strikes. The Indians look to extend their win streak when they open up a four-game series at home Thursday night against the Kansas City Royals.
Twins Stay Hot on Rosario's First-Career Walk-Off
The Minnesota Twins have been hanging on to the second Wild Card spot in the American League for just over a week now, as their recent hot streak as surprised many in the baseball world. The team that is coming off a 59-103 2016 season improved to 76-69 this season with a walk-off, 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. Eddie Rosario played the role of hero with his first-career walk-off blast in the 10th inning, which came after a one-out single from Joe Mauer. Phil Maton surrendered the game-winner on a 2-0 pitch, which was Rosario's 23rd home run of the season for the Twins fourth walk-off of the year. The Puerto Rico native has 12 home runs and 33 RBI in his past 35 games. Matt Belisle retired all five batters he faced for his second win out of the bullpen, as the Twins improved to 15-5 all time against San Diego. Ervin Santana looked good in his start for the Twins, throwing six scoreless innings and striking out seven, as he was pulled after throwing 93 pitches. Austin Hedges' eighth-inning home run tied the game and forced extras for the Padres, but that was also their only run of the night. The Twins kept their lead at two games on the Los Angeles Angels for the final Wild Card spot. The Seattle Mariners are also within striking distance at 3.5-games back. The Twins will stay home to open up a series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night.
D-Backs Snap Rockies' Six-Game Win Streak
The Colorado Rockies caught the Arizona Diamondbacks off-guard in the first two games of their series, but it seems as if the NL Wild Card leaders figured things out in Wednesday's game 3. A.J. Pollock led the way with four runs batted in, while Patrick Corbin looked good on the mound in Arizona's 8-2 win over the Rockies at Chase Field. The victory snapped the Rockies' six-game win streak, as Corbin pitched in to the seventh inning and allowed just one run in his 14th win of the season. He is now 6-1 in his past seven starts since August 12th. The starter struck out seven on the night, as the D-backs used four relievers to finish off the win. Arizona now leads the Rockies by four games for the top Wild Card spot, as Colorado leads the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals by three games each for the final playoff spot. Pollock's three-run home run in the seventh inning helped put the game away for good, as he finished with three hits in the win. Arizona had dropped four of their past five games before Wednesday's victory, which also snapped the Rockies' eight-game road winning streak. They can earn a series split in the series finale on Thursday afternoon.
The Cleveland Indians picked the perfect part of the season to set an American League record with their recent hot streak, as the AL Central leaders kept their winning streak alive on Wednesday. The Tribe completed a three-game series sweep of the Detroit Tigers with a 5-3 win, extending their win streak to 21 games. The win streak snaps the 2002 Oakland A's 20-game win streak for the longest in American League history. They now are five games shy of tying the 1916 New York Giants' baseball record of 26 wins in a row, and sit tied with the 1935 Chicago Cubs' for the second-longest since 1900. Jay Bruce's first-inning, three-run home run was the difference, as Mike Clevinger won his fourth straight start for his 10th win of the season. Roberto Perez added a long ball in the seventh inning, while Cody Allen secured the record by throwing a perfect ninth inning, getting Ian Kinsler to line out to left field for his 27th save of the year. The Tigers did make things interesting after falling behind 4-1, but have now dropped 11 of their past 12 games. They also lost catcher James McCann and manager Brad Ausmus, who were both ejected for arguing balls and strikes. The Indians look to extend their win streak when they open up a four-game series at home Thursday night against the Kansas City Royals.
Twins Stay Hot on Rosario's First-Career Walk-Off
The Minnesota Twins have been hanging on to the second Wild Card spot in the American League for just over a week now, as their recent hot streak as surprised many in the baseball world. The team that is coming off a 59-103 2016 season improved to 76-69 this season with a walk-off, 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. Eddie Rosario played the role of hero with his first-career walk-off blast in the 10th inning, which came after a one-out single from Joe Mauer. Phil Maton surrendered the game-winner on a 2-0 pitch, which was Rosario's 23rd home run of the season for the Twins fourth walk-off of the year. The Puerto Rico native has 12 home runs and 33 RBI in his past 35 games. Matt Belisle retired all five batters he faced for his second win out of the bullpen, as the Twins improved to 15-5 all time against San Diego. Ervin Santana looked good in his start for the Twins, throwing six scoreless innings and striking out seven, as he was pulled after throwing 93 pitches. Austin Hedges' eighth-inning home run tied the game and forced extras for the Padres, but that was also their only run of the night. The Twins kept their lead at two games on the Los Angeles Angels for the final Wild Card spot. The Seattle Mariners are also within striking distance at 3.5-games back. The Twins will stay home to open up a series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night.
D-Backs Snap Rockies' Six-Game Win Streak
The Colorado Rockies caught the Arizona Diamondbacks off-guard in the first two games of their series, but it seems as if the NL Wild Card leaders figured things out in Wednesday's game 3. A.J. Pollock led the way with four runs batted in, while Patrick Corbin looked good on the mound in Arizona's 8-2 win over the Rockies at Chase Field. The victory snapped the Rockies' six-game win streak, as Corbin pitched in to the seventh inning and allowed just one run in his 14th win of the season. He is now 6-1 in his past seven starts since August 12th. The starter struck out seven on the night, as the D-backs used four relievers to finish off the win. Arizona now leads the Rockies by four games for the top Wild Card spot, as Colorado leads the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals by three games each for the final playoff spot. Pollock's three-run home run in the seventh inning helped put the game away for good, as he finished with three hits in the win. Arizona had dropped four of their past five games before Wednesday's victory, which also snapped the Rockies' eight-game road winning streak. They can earn a series split in the series finale on Thursday afternoon.
