As the contending teams work their way down the stretch run, playoff hopes were made and ruined. The Astros have already clinched the AL West (though they are vying for home-field advantage), and the Mariners were eliminated on Sept. 4, but their matchup was made the game of the night when Zack Greinke took a no-hitter into the ninth inning.
Greinke induced a Tom Murphy grounder, but Austin Nola worked a 3-2 count and then drove a ball into the left-centerfield gap for a single to spoil the no-hit bid. Greinke would give up another single before exiting the game, going 8.1 innings and striking out nine. The Mariners have been combined no-hit twice this season by the Angels (Felix Pena and Taylor Cole) and the Astros (Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini, and Chris Devenski). Houston would held on to win 3-0 to retain the best record in baseball (104-54, .658).
Milwaukee Clinches Wild Card Berth
On September 11, 2019, Christian Yelich fouled a ball off his knee and broke his kneecap. At that point, the Brewers were four games back of St. Louis in the Central division. They were tied for the second Wild Card spot with Chicago, and had New York, Philadelphia, and Arizona nipping at their heels. Since losing their best player, the Brewers have gone 11-2 to maintain their Wild Card position, while the other contending teams faded away. Ryan Braun’s first-inning grand slam and Eric Thames’ solo home run gave Milwaukee the early lead, and was enough for starter, Jordan Lyles (5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 6 K), to earn the win to clinch a playoff berth. The Brewers will continue to battle for home-field advantage in the Wild Card game, as they trail the Nationals by one game, but they no longer have to worry about missing the playoffs. Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suarez hit his 49th home run of the season, setting the NL record for most home runs by a third baseman.
Arizona Plays Spoiler
The Cardinals have already clinched a playoff spot, but they are still battling to win the NL Central and avoid the winner-take-all Wild Card game. Michael Wacha got the start but was forced to leave the game in the second inning with a shoulder strain. The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the St. Louis bullpen. Tuesday’s 19-inning marathon saw 11 Cardinals pitchers take the mound. Jose Martinez (3-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Randy Arozarena (2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 SB) provided the offense, but it wasn’t enough to rescue the taxed St. Louis bullpen. Wilmer Flores (3-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 4 RBI) led the Diamondbacks to a 7-run sixth-inning rally to take the game. St. Louis’ magic number to the Central division crown remains at three.
New York Wins, but Postseason Dream Ends
The Mets knew that they needed a miracle, but they did their part last night. With their elimination number down to one, they had to win-out to end the season, and hope that Milwaukee would lose all their remaining games. New York sent their best in Jacob deGrom, who tossed seven shutout innings, giving up just two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. The Mets’ hitters broke out early with three in the first, four in the second, and two in the third, to put the game in hand. It was all for nought, however, as the Brewers’ win eliminated the Mets and dashed their playoff dream. Pete Alonso hit his 51st home run of the year, and Jacob deGrom nabbed his 11th win, ending what will likely be his second straight Cy Young Award-winning season.
Chicago Crumbles in Pittsburgh
The Cubs were in the same boat as the Mets entering Wednesday, with an elimination number down to one. The Cubs have not been at their best in their playoff run, losing their last seven games. The pesky Pirates chipped away at Cubs starter, Jon Lester, with singles and doubles that were strung together just enough to put runs on the board. Lester threw six innings giving up two runs on eight hits, with four strikeouts. The depleted Cubs lineup was only able to muster two runs against Pirates’ starter Dario Agrazal (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 K). Ian Happ tied the game in the seventh, but, in the eighth, Brad Wieck walked Jose Osuna and David Phelps walked Pablo Reyes. With the two runners on, Phelps threw a wild pitch to advance them both into scoring position, and then uncorked a second wild pitch to score the deciding run and move Reyes to third. Reyes scored on a sacrifice fly. The loss was the Cubs eighth in a row, and completes their horrific playoff push.
Twins Do Their Job in Detroit
Kyle Gibson was expected to start Wednesday’s game against the Tigers but, instead, was called on to throw two innings of relief on Tuesday. Randy Dobnak stepped away from planning his wedding (coming up this Saturday) and into a potential AL Central-clinching game. He threw six masterful, one-hit innings allowing just one run (zero earned) and striking out six. The Twins’ bats did the rest with home runs from Luis Arraez (2-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI) and Eddie Rosario (1-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI). With their magic number down to one, the Twins had to wait for the result from Chicago.
Cleveland Hands AL Central to Minnesota
Just 30 days after hamate bone surgery, Jose Ramirez has returned to the Cleveland lineup. After hitting a grand slam and a three-run home run in his first game back on Tuesday, Ramirez hit a solo home run in Wednesday’s game against the White Sox. Breakout pitcher, Shane Bieber, got the ball, but surrendered ten hits, a walk, and five runs (three earned) in his 5.2 innings. Tim Anderson went 4-for-5 in the game, scoring twice, and raising his league-leading batting average to .339. Jose Abreu went 3-for-5 with one run and one RBI, and Leury Garcia homered for the Sox, but the White Sox win was decided on Welington Castillo’s three-run home run in the seventh.
The loss allowed Minnesota to clinch the AL Central division for the first time since 2010. Cleveland, however, still remains in the fight for a Wild Card position. They drop to 1.5 games back Tampa Bay and two games behind Oakland with their elimination number down to three.
Morton Dominates in Final Regular Season Start
Charlie Morton took the mound for the 33rd time this season, with the Rays holding a magic number of five. In the tight AL Wild Card race, Morton put up one of his best outings of the year, tossing six shutout innings allowing just three walks, and losing a no-hit bid with two outs in the sixth. Joey Wendle led off the home half of the first with a home run, and Brandon Lowe singled-in Austin Meadows to give the Rays an early 2-0 lead. The Rays’ bullpen (Diego Castillo, Oliver Drake, Nick Anderson, and Andrew Kittredge) finished up the game without allowing a hit to shut out the Yankees and hold a combined one-hitter. The win, along with Cleveland’s loss, moves Tampa Bay 1.5 games ahead for the second Wild Card spot, and, temporarily, tied them with Oakland for the top Wild Card spot.
Frankie Montas Returns from Suspension
Frankie Montas was an early-season breakout story as he went 9-and-2, posting a 2.70 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and striking out 97 strikeouts in his first 90 innings of the year. He was suspended 80-games for PEDs, but returned to the mound yesterday, picking up right where he left off. Montas went six innings, struck out six, and gave up one run on four hits and two walks. Andrew Heaney opposed him with an equally impressive start (5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 7 K).
The Angels had a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning and sent Hansel Robles in for the save. He gave up a single to Marcus Semien and a sacrifice bunt moved Semien to second. Matt Chapman then socked a home run to deep center to give the A’s a 3-2 lead. Oakland’s closer, Liam Hendricks, was able to do what Robles couldn’t, and nailed down the save. The win keeps Oakland a half-game ahead of Tampa Bay for the top Wild Card spot, and extends their lead over Cleveland to two games.
Other Notable Performances
Dansby Swanson: 4-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI
Josh Donaldson: 3-for-6, 2 R, 4 RBI
Ozzie Albies: 1-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI
Rafael Devers: 2-for-5, 1 HR 2 R, 1 RBI
Mitch Moreland: 4-for-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Rick Porcello: 6 IP, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 ER, 8 K
Howie Kendrick: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
Anibal Sanchez: 7 IP, 6 H, 0 BB, 2 ER, 7 K
Jeff Samardzija: 6 IP 5 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 5 K
Jaylin Davis: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
Alex Bregman: 3-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
Players Shut Down for the Season
Ronald Acuna (groin – will return for playoffs)
Javier Baez (thumb)
Starling Marte (wrist)
Josh Bell (groin)
Jeff McNeil (broken wrist)
Adalberto Mondesi (shoulder surgery)
Domingo German (administrative leave – through regular season and playoffs)
J.T. Realmuto (knee surgery)
Sonny Gray (arthroscopic elbow surgery)
Blake Treinen (back)
Lou Trivino (broken rib)
