Padres Clinch Playoff Spot Behind Cronenworth’s Big Night and Triple Play
San Diego Padres 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 2
Jake Cronenworth had a night to remember, hitting a two-run homer and helping the San Diego Padres clinch a spot in the National League playoffs with a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The highlight of the game came at the end when Cronenworth helped turn a rare around-the-horn triple play to secure the victory.
The Padres’ eighth all-time playoff appearance is their third since 2020, and they now sit just two games behind the Dodgers in the NL West with five games left in the season. Michael King (13-9) pitched five strong innings, allowing just an unearned run on three hits. Reliever Robert Suarez earned his 35th save as the Padres improved to 8-3 against the Dodgers this year.
For Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani doubled, walked, and scored a run, but the Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the division remained at four. Rookie right-hander Landon Knack (3-5) gave up four runs over four innings in a losing effort, as the Dodgers look to secure their 11th division title in 12 seasons.
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Astros Clinch AL West with Win Over Mariners
Houston Astros 4, Seattle Mariners 3
Jason Heyward’s clutch two-run homer in the fifth inning helped the Houston Astros clinch their fourth consecutive American League West title with a 4-3 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners. The victory secured Houston’s seventh division crown in the past eight years.
Framber Valdez (15-7) provided 5 2/3 innings of three-run baseball, while Josh Hader locked down a four-out save to preserve the win for the Astros. Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker each homered for Houston, keeping their momentum going as they gear up for the playoffs.
Seattle starter Logan Gilbert (8-12) allowed four runs on five hits, including three homers, over six innings. With the loss, the Mariners fell further behind in their push for a wild-card spot in the American League.
Orioles Hold Off Yankees, Clinch Postseason Berth
Baltimore Orioles 5, New York Yankees 3
The Baltimore Orioles secured their second consecutive postseason appearance after holding off the New York Yankees for a 5-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. Anthony Santander, Ramon Urias, and Colton Cowser each hit home runs, giving Baltimore the edge in a crucial late-season game.
Despite the Yankees’ Aaron Judge hitting his MLB-leading 56th homer of the season, New York’s hopes of clinching the American League East were delayed. The Yankees’ magic number to secure the division remained at one.
Baltimore clinched a playoff spot later in the evening when the Minnesota Twins lost to the Miami Marlins, solidifying the Orioles’ standing as the top wild-card team in the American League.
Guardians Top Reds, Secure First-Round Bye in Playoffs
Cleveland Guardians 6, Cincinnati Reds 1
Tanner Bibee turned in a masterful performance, allowing just one run over seven innings as the Cleveland Guardians cruised to a 6-1 win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds. The victory secured the Guardians a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs, as they look to make a deep postseason run.
Kyle Manzardo homered and Lane Thomas hit a two-run shot for Cleveland, who saw contributions from Josh Naylor with two hits and two RBIs. The Guardians have already claimed the American League Central title and continue to build momentum heading into October.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, is adjusting to life without manager David Bell, who was recently fired after six seasons with the club. Spencer Steer had the Reds’ lone RBI in the loss.
Braves Close Gap in Wild-Card Race with Win Over Mets
Atlanta Braves 5, New York Mets 1
Michael Harris II collected three hits and two RBIs, helping the Atlanta Braves defeat the New York Mets 5-1 in the first game of their three-game series. With the win, the Braves pulled within one game of the Mets for the second NL wild-card spot and just half a game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final wild-card berth.
Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (8-7) was dominant, giving up only one run on three hits over seven innings. Mets starter Luis Severino (11-7) struggled, allowing four runs on seven hits in just four innings of work.
White Sox Snap Losing Streak with Late Rally to Beat Angels
Chicago White Sox 3, Los Angeles Angels 2
Andrew Benintendi’s go-ahead single capped a three-run rally in the eighth inning, as the Chicago White Sox edged the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. The win came in dramatic fashion, as the White Sox were previously winless when trailing after seven innings this season.
Angels rookie Jack Kochanowicz kept Chicago’s offense at bay for seven innings, allowing just three singles and no runs. However, the White Sox broke through late to avoid matching the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in a single season in modern MLB history.
Red Sox Defeat Blue Jays in Extra-Inning Thriller
Boston Red Sox 6, Toronto Blue Jays 5 (10 innings)
Trevor Story’s RBI double in the 10th inning broke a 3-3 tie, igniting a three-run rally as the visiting Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in extra innings. Vaughn Grissom added an RBI single in the 10th as part of a three-hit night for the Red Sox.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run double for the Blue Jays, and Bowden Francis delivered five scoreless innings. However, Toronto couldn’t close out the win, and they now face increasing pressure in their hunt for a wild-card spot.
Giants Crush Diamondbacks with Home Run Barrage
San Francisco Giants 11, Arizona Diamondbacks 0
The San Francisco Giants erupted for five home runs, including a three-run blast by Michael Conforto and a three-run shot from Brett Wisely, as they routed the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-0 in Phoenix. The Giants, riding a five-game winning streak, showcased their power as they inch closer to a playoff spot.
Logan Webb (13-10) was stellar on the mound, allowing just four hits over six scoreless innings. Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt (10-10) struggled, surrendering two home runs in 2 2/3 innings. The Diamondbacks have now lost three straight games and are slipping out of the wild-card race.
Marlins Outlast Twins to Open Series in Minnesota
Miami Marlins 4, Minnesota Twins 1
Xavier Edwards had a big night for the Miami Marlins, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs as the Marlins secured a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Jonah Bride added a solo home run as Miami took the first game of the series in Minneapolis.
The Twins’ Royce Lewis drove in their lone run, but Minnesota’s recent struggles continued, as they have now lost three straight games and five of their last six. The loss puts them two games behind both the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals in the battle for the final AL wild-card spots.
A’s Walk Off Rangers in Ninth-Inning Thriller
Oakland Athletics 5, Texas Rangers 4
Jacob Wilson’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth gave the Oakland Athletics a thrilling 5-4 win over the Texas Rangers, kicking off a three-day celebration as the A’s look to close out their season in style.
Zack Gelof led off the ninth with a single and stole second, setting up Wilson’s game-winning hit. The A’s closer Mason Miller (2-2) escaped a first-and-third jam in the top of the ninth to keep the game tied before Oakland walked it off in the bottom half.
Brewers Take Down Pirates with Ortiz’s Three-RBI Night
Milwaukee Brewers 7, Pittsburgh Pirates 2
Joey Ortiz drove in three runs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of their three-game series. Willy Adames added two hits, two runs, and an RBI for the Brewers, who have now won two straight games after a three-game losing streak.
Pirates starter Bailey Falter (8-9) allowed four runs in five innings, while Pittsburgh’s offense was led by Jared Triolo’s three-hit night. The Pirates, however, couldn’t muster enough to keep up with Milwaukee’s offensive output.
Tigers Edge Rays in Low-Scoring Battle
Detroit Tigers 2, Tampa Bay Rays 1
Tarik Skubal tossed seven shutout innings and Wenceel Perez drove in both runs with a two-run double, helping the Detroit Tigers edge the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 2-1. The Tigers have now won seven of their last eight games, positioning themselves well for a postseason push.
Skubal (18-4) was dominant, allowing just two hits while striking out seven. Tampa Bay’s Ryan Pepiot (8-7) pitched well, allowing two runs over five innings, but the Rays couldn’t find the offense to overcome Detroit’s pitching.
Royals End Losing Streak with Extra-Inning Win Over Nationals
Kansas City Royals 1, Washington Nationals 0 (10 innings)
The Kansas City Royals snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 1-0 extra-inning win over the Washington Nationals. Five Kansas City pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout, and a throwing error by Washington shortstop Nasim Nunez allowed the Royals to score the game’s only run in the 10th inning.
Angel Zerpa (2-0) earned the win, pitching one inning of relief, while Lucas Erceg notched his 12th save for Kansas City.
Cubs Dominate Phillies with Bellinger’s Big Night
Chicago Cubs 10, Philadelphia Phillies 4
Cody Bellinger drove in four runs, and Seiya Suzuki knocked in two more as the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 10-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Nico Hoerner and Bellinger each collected three hits, while Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong added two hits apiece in the 15-hit offensive outburst for Chicago.
One night after clinching the NL East, the Phillies’ pitching struggled, allowing the Cubs to jump out early. Despite homers from Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia couldn’t keep up with the Cubs’ relentless offense.
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Cardinals Pull Away Late to Beat Rockies
St. Louis Cardinals 7, Colorado Rockies 3
Masyn Winn’s two-run homer and a two-run double in a four-run eighth inning lifted the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Lars Nootbaar walked three times and scored twice for the Cardinals, who have now won three straight games.
Aaron Schunk homered and singled, while Charlie Blackmon added a triple and a double for Colorado. However, the Rockies fell short and dropped their fourth game in five tries.
