Dodgers' Torrid Streak Reaches Historic Mark
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to win baseball games and make history this season, and they did both of those on Saturday. The Dodgers hit five home runs in Citi Field to power their way past the New York Mets for a 7-4 victory. Yasiel Puig hit the tie-breaking home run in the seventh inning, giving Los Angeles their 43rd win in the past 50 games. That run is the best 50-game mark since the 1912 New York Giants. This current run began for the Dodgers on June 7th. Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, and Chris Taylor added home runs on Saturday, helping this team beat out their 2013 team that went 42-8 at one point. They are now 46 games above .500 for the first time since they were 98-51 in 1962. The major league's best team overcame three first-inning home runs from New York, as they had a three-home run inning of their own in the sixth. They can complete the sweep of the lowly Mets on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.
Avila Hits First Cubs' Homer in Win
Alex Avila was an underrated acquisition of the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, but he will be sure to produce for the defending champs. The catcher hit his first home run for his first hit since joining his new team in a 7-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Willson Contreras also stayed red hot with another long ball, giving him his third in the past three games, and 19 on the season. Contreras drove in three on the day, and is now 8-for-18 with three home runs and 11 RBI in the past five games, and has reached base in 19 consecutive contest. John Lackey got his record back to .500 at 9-9 after allowing just three runs on six hits in five innings, helping Chicago snap a three-game home losing streak. Bryce Harper gave the Nats an early lead with his 28th home run in the first inning, but the Cubs responded with a four-run opening inning. Kris Bryant and Jon Jay also drove in runs for Chicago, as Wade Davis shut things down in the ninth for his 23rd save. The rubber game of this series is on Sunday afternoon.
Red Sox Stay Hot, Extend Win Streak to Five
The Boston Red Sox have dominated the battle of the "Sox" this weekend, and they continue to roll atop the AL East. Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. both went deep to support Drew Pomeranz in a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. The Red Sox starter allowed just one run on seven hits while striking out eight, and moved his record to 11-4, as he has lost just once in 15 outings since starting the year 3-3. Tim Anderson's lead-off home run was the only source of offense that the White Sox could come up with in Fenway. The Red Sox improved to 35-20 at Fenway Park. as they have won seven of nine overall, including five in a row, and hold a three-game lead on the New York Yankees in the AL East. New York snapped their four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday to keep their series deficit at three. James Shields struggled in familiar territory for Chicago, falling to 2-4 after giving up four runs, three of which were earned, and struck out six over six innings. Shields is 1-4 with a 7.63 ERA since coming off the disabled list. Chicago has dropped five straight games, and 22 of 26, to remain in last place in the AL Central. Craig Kimbrel earned his 26th save for Boston, who can complete the four-game sweep in Sunday's matinee finale.
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to win baseball games and make history this season, and they did both of those on Saturday. The Dodgers hit five home runs in Citi Field to power their way past the New York Mets for a 7-4 victory. Yasiel Puig hit the tie-breaking home run in the seventh inning, giving Los Angeles their 43rd win in the past 50 games. That run is the best 50-game mark since the 1912 New York Giants. This current run began for the Dodgers on June 7th. Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, and Chris Taylor added home runs on Saturday, helping this team beat out their 2013 team that went 42-8 at one point. They are now 46 games above .500 for the first time since they were 98-51 in 1962. The major league's best team overcame three first-inning home runs from New York, as they had a three-home run inning of their own in the sixth. They can complete the sweep of the lowly Mets on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.
Avila Hits First Cubs' Homer in Win
Alex Avila was an underrated acquisition of the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, but he will be sure to produce for the defending champs. The catcher hit his first home run for his first hit since joining his new team in a 7-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Willson Contreras also stayed red hot with another long ball, giving him his third in the past three games, and 19 on the season. Contreras drove in three on the day, and is now 8-for-18 with three home runs and 11 RBI in the past five games, and has reached base in 19 consecutive contest. John Lackey got his record back to .500 at 9-9 after allowing just three runs on six hits in five innings, helping Chicago snap a three-game home losing streak. Bryce Harper gave the Nats an early lead with his 28th home run in the first inning, but the Cubs responded with a four-run opening inning. Kris Bryant and Jon Jay also drove in runs for Chicago, as Wade Davis shut things down in the ninth for his 23rd save. The rubber game of this series is on Sunday afternoon.
Red Sox Stay Hot, Extend Win Streak to Five
The Boston Red Sox have dominated the battle of the "Sox" this weekend, and they continue to roll atop the AL East. Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. both went deep to support Drew Pomeranz in a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. The Red Sox starter allowed just one run on seven hits while striking out eight, and moved his record to 11-4, as he has lost just once in 15 outings since starting the year 3-3. Tim Anderson's lead-off home run was the only source of offense that the White Sox could come up with in Fenway. The Red Sox improved to 35-20 at Fenway Park. as they have won seven of nine overall, including five in a row, and hold a three-game lead on the New York Yankees in the AL East. New York snapped their four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday to keep their series deficit at three. James Shields struggled in familiar territory for Chicago, falling to 2-4 after giving up four runs, three of which were earned, and struck out six over six innings. Shields is 1-4 with a 7.63 ERA since coming off the disabled list. Chicago has dropped five straight games, and 22 of 26, to remain in last place in the AL Central. Craig Kimbrel earned his 26th save for Boston, who can complete the four-game sweep in Sunday's matinee finale.
