The Seattle Mariners snapped a four-game losing streak with a big 6-2 win over the Houston Astros, further tightening the wild-card race in the American League as the MLB season speeds toward its finish.
The Mariners (85-72) were the only team in the race to win, as the Toronto Blue Jays (87-70) fell 2-0 to the New York Yankees while the AL West-leading Texas Rangers (88-69) lost 9-3 to the Los Angeles Angels.
The Astros (86-72) now hold just a half-game lead over the Mariners for the final wild-card spot. The Blue Jays, in the second wild-card spot, lead the Mariners by 1.5 games.
No teams changed positions after Tuesday’s results but by snapping their losing streak, Seattle keeps the race interesting.
Here is where the American League playoff picture stands after Tuesday’s games.
MARINERS 6, ASTROS 2
SEATTLE (AP) — George Kirby escaped an early bases loaded jam to throw six shutout innings, Seattle took advantage of three Houston errors, and the Mariners snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over the Astros.
Seattle pulled within a half-game of Houston for the final wild card spot in the American League and trail Toronto by two games after the Blue Jays lost at home to the Yankees. The Mariners also gained a game on Texas in the AL West after the Rangers lost to the Angels.
Houston didn’t help its cause matching a season-high with three errors, two of which directly led to runs. Jose Altuve’s errant relay throw in the third inning allowed Mike Ford to score. In the fifth, Kyle Tucker’s throw from right field skipped away from third baseman Alex Bregman and into the Houston dugout allowing Julio RodrÃguez to score.
Seattle also got a sacrifice fly from RodrÃguez, and RBI singles from Cal Raleigh and Teoscar Hernández. Ty France homered for the first time since Aug. 15 with a solo shot in the eighth.
Kirby (12-10) allowed five hits and struck out four.
Altuve had three hits and an RBI and Cristian Javier (9-5) took the loss.
YANKEES 2, BLUE JAYS 0
Austin Wells hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning and New York beat Toronto.
Michael King and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as the Yankees improved to a major league-best 18-9 since Aug. 28.
Facing Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (5-7), Gleyber Torres singled to begin the ninth. Wells followed with a first-pitch drive into the left-field bullpen.
Romano, who blew his first save opportunity since May 20 on Saturday at Tampa Bay, took the loss for a second straight outing.
Jhony Brito (9-7) pitched two innings for the victory and Clay Holmes finished for his 23rd save in 26 chances.
ANGELS 9, RANGERS 3
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Brandon Drury had three hits, including a home run, Reid Detmers threw seven solid innings and Los Angeles rolled to the victory over Texas, preventing the Rangers from getting another step closer to wrapping up their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Eduardo Escobar and Michael Stefanic both drove in a pair of runs for the Angels, who won for just the seventh time in 24 games in September.
With Houston also losing, Texas maintained a 2 1/2 game lead in the AL West.
Detmers (4-10) allowed only one run on four hits in seven innings and struck out seven.
Drury gave the Angels a 3-1 lead in the first inning when he connected on a low fastball from Cody Bradford (4-3) and hit it down the left-field line. The Angels broke it open with five in the fifth.
Josh H. Smith hit a two-run homer for the Rangers in the ninth inning.
— with files from Sportsnet
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
No comments:
Post a Comment