Verlander, Tigers Snap Dodgers' Win Streak
It is near breaking news-worthy when the Los Angeles Dodgers lose a baseball game as of late, and that's exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon. Justin Verlander kept the Dodgers hitless threw 5.2 innings, and dominated over eight innings in a 6-1 win for the Detroit Tigers, snapping the Dodgers' six-game win streak. Los Angeles finished with just two hits against the veteran, who struck out nine and helped the Tigers snap a six-game losing streak of their own. The Tigers were also held hitless until the sixth inning against Dodger starter Kenta Maeda. Detroit would then put up a four-run sixth inning, including a two-run home run from Justin Upton to pull away. Maeda had retired the first 15 batters he faced, but allowed five hits in the sixth inning alone and lost for the first time in seven starts. Dixon Machado's two-run double got the Tigers on the board, supporting Verlander's masterful efforts. The one blemish for the right-hander was a solo home run off the bat of Curtis Granderson, which was his 20th of the season and first with the Dodgers. Miguel Cabrera's two-run double gave the Tigers some insurance en route to them avoiding the weekend series sweep.
Avila Gives Cubs Walk-Off in Extras
Alex Avila was a big acquisition at the trade deadline for the Chicago Cubs, and he has produced big time for his new team. That was even more true on Sunday afternoon, as the catcher hit the walk-off two-run single to give Chicago a 6-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in 10 innings. The single capped off a three-run 10th inning, giving the defending champs the interleague series sweep. Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez scored on the winning hit off of reliever Roberto Osuna. Kyle Schwarber scored on a wild pitch earlier in the inning after the Blue Jays took the lead in extras on RBIs from Kevin Pillar and Nori Aoki. Justin Wilson earned the win for Chicago after taking over for Koji Uehara, who gave up both extra-inning runs. Albert Almora Jr. had a big game that included a three-run double, as the Cubs recorded their fifth three-game sweep of the season. The Milwaukee Brewers did keep pace with an 8-4 win over the Colorado Rockies, as they remain two games back in the NL Central. The Pirates and Cardinals are also within striking distance of the Cubs, who will visit the Cincinnati Reds after enjoying Monday off.
Pirates Double-Up Cardinals in Williamsport
Major League Baseball partnered with the Little League World Series for the first time ever on Sunday night in the most unique way possible. The Pittsburgh Pirates hosted their series finale with the St. Louis Cardinals in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which is the home of the Little League World Series. Players from both teams arrived early in the afternoon to watch the young ones take the field, before going at it in a game with big playoff implications. Josh Bell led the way in the game with a home run and four runs batted in for a 6-3 win over the Cardinals. The contest took place at the minor league ballpark located five miles from the actual park where the kids play, and was the first MLB game played in Williamsport. Adam Frazier added a home run for a second straight day, while Andrew McCutchen drove in a run, helping the Pirates split the weekend series with the Red-Birds. Ivan Nova allowed three runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings to record his 11th victory of the year. Mike Leake struggled on the mound for St. Louis, as he suffered his 12th defeat on the season. Jedd Gyorko did go deep in the loss for the Cardinals, who mustered up just two hits against the Pirates' bullpen. Felipe Rivero got his 14th save in 15 chances by escaping a jam in the ninth, as Pittsburgh welcomes in the best team in baseball in the Dodgers beginning Monday.
It is near breaking news-worthy when the Los Angeles Dodgers lose a baseball game as of late, and that's exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon. Justin Verlander kept the Dodgers hitless threw 5.2 innings, and dominated over eight innings in a 6-1 win for the Detroit Tigers, snapping the Dodgers' six-game win streak. Los Angeles finished with just two hits against the veteran, who struck out nine and helped the Tigers snap a six-game losing streak of their own. The Tigers were also held hitless until the sixth inning against Dodger starter Kenta Maeda. Detroit would then put up a four-run sixth inning, including a two-run home run from Justin Upton to pull away. Maeda had retired the first 15 batters he faced, but allowed five hits in the sixth inning alone and lost for the first time in seven starts. Dixon Machado's two-run double got the Tigers on the board, supporting Verlander's masterful efforts. The one blemish for the right-hander was a solo home run off the bat of Curtis Granderson, which was his 20th of the season and first with the Dodgers. Miguel Cabrera's two-run double gave the Tigers some insurance en route to them avoiding the weekend series sweep.
Avila Gives Cubs Walk-Off in Extras
Alex Avila was a big acquisition at the trade deadline for the Chicago Cubs, and he has produced big time for his new team. That was even more true on Sunday afternoon, as the catcher hit the walk-off two-run single to give Chicago a 6-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in 10 innings. The single capped off a three-run 10th inning, giving the defending champs the interleague series sweep. Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez scored on the winning hit off of reliever Roberto Osuna. Kyle Schwarber scored on a wild pitch earlier in the inning after the Blue Jays took the lead in extras on RBIs from Kevin Pillar and Nori Aoki. Justin Wilson earned the win for Chicago after taking over for Koji Uehara, who gave up both extra-inning runs. Albert Almora Jr. had a big game that included a three-run double, as the Cubs recorded their fifth three-game sweep of the season. The Milwaukee Brewers did keep pace with an 8-4 win over the Colorado Rockies, as they remain two games back in the NL Central. The Pirates and Cardinals are also within striking distance of the Cubs, who will visit the Cincinnati Reds after enjoying Monday off.
Pirates Double-Up Cardinals in Williamsport
Major League Baseball partnered with the Little League World Series for the first time ever on Sunday night in the most unique way possible. The Pittsburgh Pirates hosted their series finale with the St. Louis Cardinals in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which is the home of the Little League World Series. Players from both teams arrived early in the afternoon to watch the young ones take the field, before going at it in a game with big playoff implications. Josh Bell led the way in the game with a home run and four runs batted in for a 6-3 win over the Cardinals. The contest took place at the minor league ballpark located five miles from the actual park where the kids play, and was the first MLB game played in Williamsport. Adam Frazier added a home run for a second straight day, while Andrew McCutchen drove in a run, helping the Pirates split the weekend series with the Red-Birds. Ivan Nova allowed three runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings to record his 11th victory of the year. Mike Leake struggled on the mound for St. Louis, as he suffered his 12th defeat on the season. Jedd Gyorko did go deep in the loss for the Cardinals, who mustered up just two hits against the Pirates' bullpen. Felipe Rivero got his 14th save in 15 chances by escaping a jam in the ninth, as Pittsburgh welcomes in the best team in baseball in the Dodgers beginning Monday.
