Dodgers Walk Off Despite Losing Kershaw
The Los Angeles Dodgers came out on top yet again on Sunday afternoon, but it sure didn't feel like a victory at Dodger Stadium. The first place Dodgers lost ace Clayton Kershaw to a back injury after just 21 pitches. The left-hander is reportedly heading to the disabled list with back tightness. Despite all that, the Dodgers walked off in 10 innings against the Atlanta Braves for a 5-4 win, earning the weekend series split. Logan Forsythe knocked in the winning run with an RBI single in the 10th after closer Kenley Jansen suffered a rare blown save in the ninth. Jansen blew a 3-1 lead after allowing a three-run home run to Matt Adams. He did record the final out of the eighth inning. The Dodgers also got news that starter Brandon McCarthy is heading to the disabled list as well with a blister on his finger. We will see if these injuries to their starting rotation will be enough to slow down the Dodgers, who will host the Minnesota Twins in an interleague battle starting on Monday.
Strasburg Exits in Nats' Win
Another star-caliber pitcher in the National League went down on Sunday afternoon, that being Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals. The right-hander left after two innings due to "achiness" in his forearm. Reports say that Strasburg has not felt right since the All-Star break, and needed to take a breather on Sunday. There is no word on the extent of his injury and how long he will be out of action. The Nationals were able to overcome this on the road, as they used five pitchers to pitch the final seven innings in a 6-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brian Goodwin had a leadoff home run to get things started against Robbie Ray, who allowed five runs in five innings in a losing effort. Joe Blanton earned the win for the Nats after getting two outs on the day. Wimer Difo also went deep for Washington, who avoids the sweep to finish at 7-2 on their road trip.
Cubs Pull in to Tie for First in Quintana's Wrigley Debut
It took just over a week after the All-Star break for the Chicago Cubs to find themselves where they expect themselves. Jose Quintana earned his second win with the Cubs in his Wrigley Field debut, as the Cubs took the series from the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5-3 victory. Willson Contreras' home run was the difference for the defending champs, who also got a long ball from Kyle Schwarber in the win. Chicago has now gone 8-1 since sitting below .500 at the All-Star break. They pull into a virtual tie for first in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers, who fell to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Randal Grichuk and Paul DeJong both went deep for a second straight day in the Cardinals' fourth loss in five games. They finished their road trip at 4-6, and seem to be sellers heading in to next week's trade deadline for the first time in a while. The Cubs will remain home to play host to their in-state rival, the White Sox, beginning with a matinee on Monday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers came out on top yet again on Sunday afternoon, but it sure didn't feel like a victory at Dodger Stadium. The first place Dodgers lost ace Clayton Kershaw to a back injury after just 21 pitches. The left-hander is reportedly heading to the disabled list with back tightness. Despite all that, the Dodgers walked off in 10 innings against the Atlanta Braves for a 5-4 win, earning the weekend series split. Logan Forsythe knocked in the winning run with an RBI single in the 10th after closer Kenley Jansen suffered a rare blown save in the ninth. Jansen blew a 3-1 lead after allowing a three-run home run to Matt Adams. He did record the final out of the eighth inning. The Dodgers also got news that starter Brandon McCarthy is heading to the disabled list as well with a blister on his finger. We will see if these injuries to their starting rotation will be enough to slow down the Dodgers, who will host the Minnesota Twins in an interleague battle starting on Monday.
Strasburg Exits in Nats' Win
Another star-caliber pitcher in the National League went down on Sunday afternoon, that being Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals. The right-hander left after two innings due to "achiness" in his forearm. Reports say that Strasburg has not felt right since the All-Star break, and needed to take a breather on Sunday. There is no word on the extent of his injury and how long he will be out of action. The Nationals were able to overcome this on the road, as they used five pitchers to pitch the final seven innings in a 6-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brian Goodwin had a leadoff home run to get things started against Robbie Ray, who allowed five runs in five innings in a losing effort. Joe Blanton earned the win for the Nats after getting two outs on the day. Wimer Difo also went deep for Washington, who avoids the sweep to finish at 7-2 on their road trip.
Cubs Pull in to Tie for First in Quintana's Wrigley Debut
It took just over a week after the All-Star break for the Chicago Cubs to find themselves where they expect themselves. Jose Quintana earned his second win with the Cubs in his Wrigley Field debut, as the Cubs took the series from the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5-3 victory. Willson Contreras' home run was the difference for the defending champs, who also got a long ball from Kyle Schwarber in the win. Chicago has now gone 8-1 since sitting below .500 at the All-Star break. They pull into a virtual tie for first in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers, who fell to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Randal Grichuk and Paul DeJong both went deep for a second straight day in the Cardinals' fourth loss in five games. They finished their road trip at 4-6, and seem to be sellers heading in to next week's trade deadline for the first time in a while. The Cubs will remain home to play host to their in-state rival, the White Sox, beginning with a matinee on Monday.
