Nationals clinch first NL East Title
The Nationals are shut out by Philadelphia, 2 – 0, but still clinch their first NL East title since their move to Washington, DC in 2005 when the Braves lose to the Pirates, 2 – 1.
The Nationals are shut out by Philadelphia, 2 – 0, but still clinch their first NL East title since their move to Washington, DC in 2005 when the Braves lose to the Pirates, 2 – 1.
The Athletics crown an improbable playoff run by defeating the Rangers, 4 – 3, securing at least a wild card spot in the American League. They can still win the AL West crown if they defeat the Rangers in their last three games. The Athletics had traded away two All-Star starters during the off-season, then lost their only three experienced starting pitchers – Bartolo Colon, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson – during the season, going with an all-rookie starting rotation during an 8-4 run that clinched the playoff slot.
The champagne also flows in Kansas City, MO, where the Tigers defeat the Royals, 6 – 3, to clinch the AL Central title. Miguel Cabrera hits his 44th home run in the game. In deference to their star slugger, who is leading the AL in all three triple crown categories but who has had trouble with alcohol abuse in the past, the Tigers choose to celebrate with an alcohol-free bubbly.
2013 – The Pirates win the National League Wild Card Game, 6 – 2, over the Reds thanks to a pair of home runs by Russell Martin and one by Marlon Byrd to back the pitching of Francisco Liriano, who needs only 27 pitches to retire the Reds in order in the first three innings to set the tone for the game. It is the Pirates’ first postseason win since the 1992 NLCS.
Three American League teams clinch postseason spots with wins today. The Yankees defeat the Blue Jays, 9 – 6, and the Orioles beat the Red Sox, 6 – 3, to remain tied atop the AL East. When the Rangers defeat the Angels, 8 – 7, in the second game of a doubleheader, all three teams are assured of claiming at least a wild card spot.
The Braves win for the 23rd straight time in a game started by Kris Medlen when they beat New York in the regular-season home finale at Turner Field, 6-2. The 26 year-old right-hander’s streak surpasses the major league mark shared by Carl Hubbell (Giants, 1936-37) and Whitey Ford (Yankees, 1950-53).
En route from Baltimore to Tampa Bay to play the Rays, the Orioles’ charter is forced to make an emergency landing in Jacksonville, Florida because of smoke on the plane. The cause of the fire is not immediately known, but there are no reported injuries.
After beating Boston earlier in the day, the Orioles secure a postseason berth when Texas beats the Angels in the second game of a twin bill. Baltimore, whose last playoff appearance occurred in 1997, clinches, at very least, one of the two American League wild-card spots.
Prince Fielder’s two-run homer off Jared Burton in the 8th gives the Tigers a win. It’s his 30th homer of the year, making him and his father Cecil Fielder the second father-son duo to both go deep 30 times in a season for the same franchise; previously, only Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds of the Giants had done it.
David Price becomes the first 20-game winner in franchise history when he goes seven innings in the Rays’ 6-2 win over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The 27 year-old southpaw, the youngest American League pitcher to win 20 since Johan Santana reached the milestone with Minnesota in 2004, will edge Tigers ace Justin Verlander for the AL Cy Young Award.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!