Ivan Herrera Powers Cardinals to Victory; Guardians Clinch AL Central
St. Louis Cardinals 6, Cleveland Guardians 5
Ivan Herrera played the hero for the St. Louis Cardinals, hitting a pivotal three-run homer and crossing the plate twice in their 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. This win keeps the Cardinals on a hot streak, having taken four of their last six games. Herrera’s timely blast came in the heat of the moment, pushing the Cardinals ahead and emphasizing his growing importance on the team.
Despite the loss, the Cleveland Guardians celebrated a milestone by clinching the American League Central division. Their “magic number” was down to one before the game, and the Kansas City Royals’ earlier defeat secured the Guardians’ division crown. Jose Ramirez led the Guardians’ offense with a three-run homer, while Bo Naylor added a solo shot in a close contest that showcased the talent of both teams.
Reds Dominate Pirates Behind Elly De La Cruz
Cincinnati Reds 7, Pittsburgh Pirates 1
Elly De La Cruz had a night to remember, as the Cincinnati Reds routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1. De La Cruz tallied three hits, drove in four runs, and crossed home twice, propelling the Reds to victory. Cincinnati, now winners of five of their last eight games, also saw a standout performance from starting pitcher Rhett Lowder. Lowder (2-2) held the Pirates at bay for five scoreless innings, allowing just five hits. A three-run homer by De La Cruz in the fourth inning sealed the deal for the Reds, ensuring a comfortable lead.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, continues to struggle with consistency. A 2-7 record in their last nine games highlights their ongoing issues, despite a home run from Billy Cook. As the season winds down, the Pirates are left searching for answers to their offensive woes.
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MacKenzie Gore’s No-Hit Bid Leads Nationals to Win Over Cubs
Washington Nationals 5, Chicago Cubs 1
MacKenzie Gore flirted with a no-hitter, leading the Washington Nationals to a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Gore (10-12) dazzled, taking his no-hit bid into the seventh inning before allowing a solo homer to Patrick Wisdom. Still, he wrapped up seven innings of one-run ball, overpowering the Cubs and handing the Nationals a much-needed win after a five-game losing streak.
Joey Gallo sparked Washington’s offense with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, putting the game out of reach. Meanwhile, Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks (4-12) struggled, giving up four runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. With the loss, the Cubs are inching closer to postseason elimination.
Tigers Edge Orioles in Extra Innings
Detroit Tigers 6, Baltimore Orioles 4 (10 innings)
The Detroit Tigers outlasted the Baltimore Orioles in a thrilling extra-innings affair, winning 6-4. Riley Greene’s clutch single and Zach McKinstry’s sacrifice fly in the 10th inning sealed the victory for Detroit, who are in the thick of the AL wild-card race. The Tigers have now won five of their last six games, putting them in prime position to chase down a playoff spot.
Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson tied the game with a dramatic two-run double in the ninth inning, but the Orioles failed to capitalize on the momentum, leaving runners stranded in scoring position. Cade Povich provided a solid start for Baltimore, striking out seven over five innings, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Detroit’s timely late-game heroics.
Mets Keep Phillies From Clinching NL East
New York Mets 6, Philadelphia Phillies 3
The New York Mets spoiled the Philadelphia Phillies’ chance to clinch the NL East title with a 6-3 win. Francisco Alvarez powered the Mets with a solo home run in the second inning and later added a crucial two-run double in the seventh.
The Mets are still fighting for a wild-card spot, just one game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. Meanwhile, the Phillies’ magic number to secure the division title remains at one, and they’ll look to clinch during Sunday’s series finale.
Matt Olson, Braves Power Past Marlins
Atlanta Braves 6, Miami Marlins 2
Matt Olson’s go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning sparked the Atlanta Braves to a 6-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. Olson’s blast opened the floodgates, with Gio Urshela adding a two-run shot later in the same inning. Former Marlins star Jorge Soler also chipped in with a solo homer, capping a solid offensive showing by the Braves.
Miami starter Adam Oller kept the game close for 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits while striking out seven. However, the Marlins couldn’t keep pace with Atlanta’s power surge, ultimately faltering in the late innings.
Tampa Bay Edges Toronto Behind Jonathan Aranda’s Heroics
Tampa Bay Rays 3, Toronto Blue Jays 2
Jonathan Aranda continued his home run streak, blasting a two-run shot to give the Tampa Bay Rays a narrow 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Aranda’s homer, his second in as many games, proved to be the game-winner as Tampa Bay notched another victory on their homestand. Starter Taj Bradley earned the win, snapping a personal seven-game losing streak by holding Toronto to just two runs over four innings.
Despite multi-hit efforts from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Spencer Horwitz, the Blue Jays couldn’t find the rally they needed and fell to 1-4 on their road trip.
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Giants Rout Royals with Home Run Barrage
San Francisco Giants 9, Kansas City Royals 0
The San Francisco Giants rode a flurry of home runs to a commanding 9-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. LaMonte Wade Jr. and Matt Chapman each hit two solo homers, powering the Giants to an easy victory. The Giants were backed by Landen Roupp’s (1-1) impressive five shutout innings, securing his first MLB win.
The Royals’ struggles continue, dropping their sixth consecutive game. Kansas City went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, a stat that has plagued them throughout their difficult season.
Diamondbacks Extend Winning Streak, Blank Brewers
Arizona Diamondbacks 5, Milwaukee Brewers 0
The Arizona Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to three games, blanking the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0. Joc Pederson and Ketel Marte both homered, while Merrill Kelly dominated on the mound, pitching five shutout innings.
The Brewers, who recently clinched the NL Central, are now on a three-game skid. Their struggles have pushed them further behind the Phillies and Dodgers for the best record in the National League.
Julio Rodriguez Lifts Mariners Over Rangers
Seattle Mariners 8, Texas Rangers 4
Julio Rodriguez had a monster night, going 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBIs, propelling the Seattle Mariners to an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez was backed by solid offensive support from Jorge Polanco and J.P. Crawford, helping Seattle inch closer to a playoff berth as they trail the Twins by just 1 1/2 games for the final AL wild-card spot.
Texas, now on a three-game losing streak, got a two-run homer from Josh Smith, but couldn’t keep up with Seattle’s relentless offensive attack.
Astros Roll Past Angels with Big Nights from Alvarez and Tucker
Houston Astros 10, Los Angeles Angels 4
Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker were unstoppable as they led the Houston Astros to a commanding 10-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Alvarez went 4-for-5, scoring twice, while Tucker added a perfect 4-for-4 performance with two RBIs, showing just how dominant the Astros can be when their offense clicks. With this victory, Houston moved one step closer to clinching the AL West division title.
Ronel Blanco (12-6) pitched six solid innings, securing his 14th quality start of the season. Despite Logan O’Hoppe’s best efforts for the Angels—including going 4-for-4 with a solo home run—Los Angeles couldn’t keep up with Houston’s relentless offensive outburst. Angels starter Reid Detmers (4-8) struggled, giving up seven runs in just two innings, leaving the team with little chance to recover.
Aaron Judge Powers Yankees to Rout of Athletics
New York Yankees 10, Oakland Athletics 0
Aaron Judge once again showcased his incredible power, hitting his 54th home run of the season in a 10-0 demolition of the Oakland Athletics. The Yankees dominated from the start, with Carlos Rodon throwing six scoreless innings to earn his career-high 16th win of the year. This victory also marked a special milestone for Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who achieved his 600th career win.
The Yankees’ offense was in full swing, with Giancarlo Stanton contributing a three-run homer and Anthony Volpe adding a solo shot. Oakland’s ace, JP Sears (11-12), struggled on the mound, surrendering six runs over five innings. The loss further solidified Oakland’s place at the bottom of the standings in what has been a difficult season for the A’s.
Padres Push White Sox Toward Record Losses
San Diego Padres 6, Chicago White Sox 2
The San Diego Padres cruised to a 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox, putting the White Sox just one loss away from tying the infamous 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in modern MLB history. Xander Bogaerts, David Peralta, and Elias Diaz all homered for San Diego, continuing their offensive dominance in what’s been a late-season surge for the Padres.
Chris Flexen (2-15) earned the win for San Diego despite giving up four runs over five innings. The White Sox’s dismal season has only gotten worse, with their record now standing at 36-119. One more loss will see them tie the Mets’ 120-loss record, a dubious milestone they’ll be desperate to avoid.
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Rockies Overcome Dodgers as McMahon, Blackmon Go Deep
Colorado Rockies 6, Los Angeles Dodgers 3
The Colorado Rockies shocked the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 6-3 victory, thanks to clutch home runs from Ryan McMahon and Charlie Blackmon. McMahon’s go-ahead homer in the fifth inning gave Colorado the lead, while Blackmon’s late blast provided insurance, ensuring the Rockies held on for the win.
For the Dodgers, Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Colorado’s offensive surge. With the loss, the Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the division remains at five, as they look to close out the NL West in the coming days.
