“I owe too much to this organization for the next two years to risk getting hurt for an incentive. My outing (Sept. 12) got rained out and the last inning of my last start got rained out, so for whatever reason, it wasn’t meant to be. There’s a lot bigger problems out there. I’m proud of my season.” – PHIL HUGHES, explaining why he turned an offer to pitch for a $500,000 bonusPhil Hughes, who finished the final start of his season one out short of reaching 210 innings to receive a $500,000 contract incentive because of yesterday’s 66-minute rain delay, is given the opportunity to make a brief relief appearance for the Twins. The right-hander turns down the club’s offer, saying he also he would not have any interest in merely being given the bonus that is worth half-a-million dollars.

Jose Fernandez has the worst start of his career for the Marlins, giving up a lead-off homer to Nick Markakis of the Braves on his way to a four-run 1st inning, and leaves after allowing 6 runs in 5 innings, but his teammates pick him up, and he ends up a 12 – 11 winner. He is now 17-0 at home for his career, breaking the record for most consecutive wins at home at the start of a career that was shared by Johnny Allen and LaMarr Hoyt.

Aaron Altherr hits an inside-the-park grand slam and adds three more hits including another homer as the Phillies defeat the Nationals, 8 – 2. The last player to have hit a slam inside-the-park was Randy Winn in 1999 and the last for the Phillies was Ted Kazanski in 1956.