Judge Homers, Sets Strikeout Record in Yankees' Win
Aaron Judge had himself an unusual night in the Subway Series matchup on Wednesday, but it ended up with a 5-3 New York Yankees' win over the New York Mets. The slugger not only hit a long home run, but he also set the record for most consecutive games with a strikeout, all in the same night. Judge's streak of strikeouts has now reached 33 games, breaking Adam Dunn's record from 2011 and 2012. Although, his 37th home run landed in the third deck and tracked at 457 feet in the fourth inning. He added a single to make it his first multi-hit game since July 18th. Didi Gregorious broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run double in the seventh, giving the Yankees their third straight win over their in-state rival. Tommy Kahnle got the win in relief after retiring both batters he faced. Adam Warren threw two innings of scoreless baseball, before David Robertson earned his 14th save. It was his first save since rejoining the Yankees, as normal closer Aroldis Chapman had the night off due to hamstring tightness. Jaime Garcia lasted 5.1 innings for the Yankees and allowed three runs on five hits. The Bronx Bombers can complete the sweep of the Mets in the series finale on Thursday night.
Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers Record Wild Walk-Offs
Three first-place teams sparked drama and excitement in their victories on Wednesday, with the most impressive won coming at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox rallied from a 4-2, ninth-inning deficit to stun the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5-4 victory. Mookie Betts had the official game-winner with a two-run double, slapping the ball off the green monster with two outs to win the game. Xander Bogaerts opened the inning with a solo shot, as the Red Sox recorded their 12th win in the past 14 games. It was also their eighth walk-off in their past 19 home victories. Another wild walk-off comes in the more literal sense at Wrigley Field, as Javier Baez scored from third base on a wild pitch to give the Chicago Cubs a 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Wandy Peralta suffered the loss after Blake Wood threw the wild pitch that scored Baez, who led off the final inning with a double. The other highlight of the night came in the form of a first-inning grand slam off the bat of Anthony Rizzo. Wade Davis threw a perfect ninth inning to earn his third win for the Cubs, who gained a game on the Cardinals in the NL Central. They also remain 1.5 games on top of the second-place Milwaukee Brewers. Another team that has made a habit of winning in general, including walk-offs, is the best team in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yasiel Puig drove in the winning run with a double in the ninth, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. The win was the 10th of the walk-off variety for the NL West leaders, as they recorded their second straight comeback victory. Jake Petricka surrendered the winning hit, as Los Angeles earns the victory in the home debut of Yu Darvish, who turned 31 on Wednesday. The right-hander gave up home runs to Jose Abreu, Leury Garcia, and Nicky Delmonico, and ended up with a no-decision. He admitted after the game that his back was bothering him a bit during the outing, as he struck out a season-low two. Ross Stripling earned the win out of the bullpen for the Dodgers after throwing one inning of relief. L.A. will enjoy a day off Thursday, before visiting the Detroit Tigers this weekend.
Stanton's Home Run Streak Ends in Marlins' Win
The Miami Marlins earned an 8-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon, but it came with the end of Giancarlo Stanton's home run streak. That power surge ended at six games, as the slugger recorded two hits, both singles, scored a run, and stole a base in the win. During his recent streak, Stanton admitted that he was, and still is, aiming for the number he is currently on pace for, and that is 61. Roger Maris hit that many during the 1961 season, breaking Babe Ruth's then record of 60 from 1927. Barry Bonds demolished that record in 2001 with 73, but Stanton considers that tainted due to it taking place during the steroid era. Wednesday was just the third time in the past 13 games that he failed to go deep. Despite that, the Marlins were able to take the series from the Giants, who got just four innings out of Matt Cain. The starter fell to 3-10 after allowing five runs, two of which were earned. Nick Hundley's catchers interference and Brandon Crawford's error led to three unearned runs in the first. Miami and its slugger have the day off on Thursday, and will visit the New York Mets beginning Friday.
Aaron Judge had himself an unusual night in the Subway Series matchup on Wednesday, but it ended up with a 5-3 New York Yankees' win over the New York Mets. The slugger not only hit a long home run, but he also set the record for most consecutive games with a strikeout, all in the same night. Judge's streak of strikeouts has now reached 33 games, breaking Adam Dunn's record from 2011 and 2012. Although, his 37th home run landed in the third deck and tracked at 457 feet in the fourth inning. He added a single to make it his first multi-hit game since July 18th. Didi Gregorious broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run double in the seventh, giving the Yankees their third straight win over their in-state rival. Tommy Kahnle got the win in relief after retiring both batters he faced. Adam Warren threw two innings of scoreless baseball, before David Robertson earned his 14th save. It was his first save since rejoining the Yankees, as normal closer Aroldis Chapman had the night off due to hamstring tightness. Jaime Garcia lasted 5.1 innings for the Yankees and allowed three runs on five hits. The Bronx Bombers can complete the sweep of the Mets in the series finale on Thursday night.
Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers Record Wild Walk-Offs
Three first-place teams sparked drama and excitement in their victories on Wednesday, with the most impressive won coming at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox rallied from a 4-2, ninth-inning deficit to stun the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5-4 victory. Mookie Betts had the official game-winner with a two-run double, slapping the ball off the green monster with two outs to win the game. Xander Bogaerts opened the inning with a solo shot, as the Red Sox recorded their 12th win in the past 14 games. It was also their eighth walk-off in their past 19 home victories. Another wild walk-off comes in the more literal sense at Wrigley Field, as Javier Baez scored from third base on a wild pitch to give the Chicago Cubs a 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Wandy Peralta suffered the loss after Blake Wood threw the wild pitch that scored Baez, who led off the final inning with a double. The other highlight of the night came in the form of a first-inning grand slam off the bat of Anthony Rizzo. Wade Davis threw a perfect ninth inning to earn his third win for the Cubs, who gained a game on the Cardinals in the NL Central. They also remain 1.5 games on top of the second-place Milwaukee Brewers. Another team that has made a habit of winning in general, including walk-offs, is the best team in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yasiel Puig drove in the winning run with a double in the ninth, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. The win was the 10th of the walk-off variety for the NL West leaders, as they recorded their second straight comeback victory. Jake Petricka surrendered the winning hit, as Los Angeles earns the victory in the home debut of Yu Darvish, who turned 31 on Wednesday. The right-hander gave up home runs to Jose Abreu, Leury Garcia, and Nicky Delmonico, and ended up with a no-decision. He admitted after the game that his back was bothering him a bit during the outing, as he struck out a season-low two. Ross Stripling earned the win out of the bullpen for the Dodgers after throwing one inning of relief. L.A. will enjoy a day off Thursday, before visiting the Detroit Tigers this weekend.
Stanton's Home Run Streak Ends in Marlins' Win
The Miami Marlins earned an 8-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon, but it came with the end of Giancarlo Stanton's home run streak. That power surge ended at six games, as the slugger recorded two hits, both singles, scored a run, and stole a base in the win. During his recent streak, Stanton admitted that he was, and still is, aiming for the number he is currently on pace for, and that is 61. Roger Maris hit that many during the 1961 season, breaking Babe Ruth's then record of 60 from 1927. Barry Bonds demolished that record in 2001 with 73, but Stanton considers that tainted due to it taking place during the steroid era. Wednesday was just the third time in the past 13 games that he failed to go deep. Despite that, the Marlins were able to take the series from the Giants, who got just four innings out of Matt Cain. The starter fell to 3-10 after allowing five runs, two of which were earned. Nick Hundley's catchers interference and Brandon Crawford's error led to three unearned runs in the first. Miami and its slugger have the day off on Thursday, and will visit the New York Mets beginning Friday.
