Red Sox Snap Royals' Win Streak in Extras
The Boston Red Sox needed 10 innings, but they found a way to put an end to the Kansas City Royals' win streak. Sandy Leon scored on an Eduardo Nunez grounder in the 10th inning for a 9-8 win on Saturday night. Nunez also added two home runs on the night, as the Royals' win streak was stopped at nine games. The Red Sox' recent acquisition has gone 5-for-9 in two games since coming over from the San Francisco Giants, The Royals were unable to match their longest win streak since June 2014, despite Whit Merrifield's career-best four hits, and a three-run bomb from Lorenzo Cain. Mike Minor surrendered the walk-off inning for his third loss, while Matt Barnes' scoreless 10th inning earned him his sixth win. Boston recorded just their second win in seven games, remaining in second place in the AL East. The rubber game of the series takes place on Sunday afternoon.
Indians Extend Win Streak in Odd Fashion
When you put together any type of lengthy win streak, you will end up winning games in a bunch of different ways. On Saturday, it was a bases-loaded hit by pitch to Brandon Guyer in the ninth that led the Cleveland Indians past the Chicago White Sox, 5-4, for their ninth straight win. Gregory Infante hit Guyer to drive in the go-ahead run, but Aaron Bummer suffered the loss after allowing two baserunners to begin the inning. Corey Kluber had himself a nice start, striking out 12 over 6.1 innings, becoming the first Indians' pitcher to strike out 12 or more in three straight starts. He allowed four runs on nine hits in the no decision. Andrew Miller earned the win on this night after throwing 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball, while Cody Allen recorded his 19th save. Jose Abreu was the only bright side for the home team, hitting his 19th home run for the White Sox, who have now lost 14 of 15 overall. The Indians can extend their win streak in to double digits with a series sweep on Sunday.
Cubs, Yankees Record Clutch Wins Late
Despite some lengthy struggles during the season, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees have found themselves back atop their respective divisions. Both team recorded crucial wins to remain in first place on Saturday, including the Chicago Cubs pulling off an extra-inning victory in Milwaukee. Jason Heyward went deep in the 11th inning to give the Cubs a 2-1 win in Game 2 of the series. The win extends their NL Central lead to 1.5 games over the Brew-Crew, this after the defending champs sitting under .500 at the All-Star break. Kyle Hendriks pitched five innings of one-run baseball in his second start off the disabled list. Kris Bryant added three hits for Chicago, who has gone 12-3 since the All-Star break. They have won four of five overall, with that one loss coming in Game 1 of this series. Jared Hughes surrendered the go-ahead blast on Saturday, setting up the rubber game on Sunday. Meanwhile, Brett Gardner recorded his second walk-off hit of the weekend, as his ninth-inning RBI single gave the Yankees a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Gardner had the walk-off home run in Thursday's game, while setting a career-high in home runs with a leadoff blast on Friday. Chase Headley and Gary Sanchez both went deep for New York, who have now won six in a row. Meanwhile, the Rays dropped their sixth in a row at Yankee Stadium. Brad Boxberger walked the leadoff batter in the ninth, before pinch runner Jacoby Ellsbury stole second and scored the winning run. Aroldis Chapman got the win for New York after escaping a jam in the top of the ninth. Lucas Duda homered for a second straight game since joining Tampa Bay, who also got long balls from Peter Bourjos and Steven Souza Jr. in the loss. The Yankees hung on to their half-game lead on the Red Sox in the AL East, and can sweep away the Rays on Sunday.
The Boston Red Sox needed 10 innings, but they found a way to put an end to the Kansas City Royals' win streak. Sandy Leon scored on an Eduardo Nunez grounder in the 10th inning for a 9-8 win on Saturday night. Nunez also added two home runs on the night, as the Royals' win streak was stopped at nine games. The Red Sox' recent acquisition has gone 5-for-9 in two games since coming over from the San Francisco Giants, The Royals were unable to match their longest win streak since June 2014, despite Whit Merrifield's career-best four hits, and a three-run bomb from Lorenzo Cain. Mike Minor surrendered the walk-off inning for his third loss, while Matt Barnes' scoreless 10th inning earned him his sixth win. Boston recorded just their second win in seven games, remaining in second place in the AL East. The rubber game of the series takes place on Sunday afternoon.
Indians Extend Win Streak in Odd Fashion
When you put together any type of lengthy win streak, you will end up winning games in a bunch of different ways. On Saturday, it was a bases-loaded hit by pitch to Brandon Guyer in the ninth that led the Cleveland Indians past the Chicago White Sox, 5-4, for their ninth straight win. Gregory Infante hit Guyer to drive in the go-ahead run, but Aaron Bummer suffered the loss after allowing two baserunners to begin the inning. Corey Kluber had himself a nice start, striking out 12 over 6.1 innings, becoming the first Indians' pitcher to strike out 12 or more in three straight starts. He allowed four runs on nine hits in the no decision. Andrew Miller earned the win on this night after throwing 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball, while Cody Allen recorded his 19th save. Jose Abreu was the only bright side for the home team, hitting his 19th home run for the White Sox, who have now lost 14 of 15 overall. The Indians can extend their win streak in to double digits with a series sweep on Sunday.
Cubs, Yankees Record Clutch Wins Late
Despite some lengthy struggles during the season, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees have found themselves back atop their respective divisions. Both team recorded crucial wins to remain in first place on Saturday, including the Chicago Cubs pulling off an extra-inning victory in Milwaukee. Jason Heyward went deep in the 11th inning to give the Cubs a 2-1 win in Game 2 of the series. The win extends their NL Central lead to 1.5 games over the Brew-Crew, this after the defending champs sitting under .500 at the All-Star break. Kyle Hendriks pitched five innings of one-run baseball in his second start off the disabled list. Kris Bryant added three hits for Chicago, who has gone 12-3 since the All-Star break. They have won four of five overall, with that one loss coming in Game 1 of this series. Jared Hughes surrendered the go-ahead blast on Saturday, setting up the rubber game on Sunday. Meanwhile, Brett Gardner recorded his second walk-off hit of the weekend, as his ninth-inning RBI single gave the Yankees a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Gardner had the walk-off home run in Thursday's game, while setting a career-high in home runs with a leadoff blast on Friday. Chase Headley and Gary Sanchez both went deep for New York, who have now won six in a row. Meanwhile, the Rays dropped their sixth in a row at Yankee Stadium. Brad Boxberger walked the leadoff batter in the ninth, before pinch runner Jacoby Ellsbury stole second and scored the winning run. Aroldis Chapman got the win for New York after escaping a jam in the top of the ninth. Lucas Duda homered for a second straight game since joining Tampa Bay, who also got long balls from Peter Bourjos and Steven Souza Jr. in the loss. The Yankees hung on to their half-game lead on the Red Sox in the AL East, and can sweep away the Rays on Sunday.
