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Royals take a 2-0 lead in their ALDS stunning the Angels in extras

ByThis Day in Baseball

On October 3, 2014.00 In the final postseason contest of the day, the Royals take a 2-0 lead in their ALDS, once again stunning the Angels, 4 – 1, courtesy of a two-run homer by 1B Eric Hosmer in the 11th. The Royals are the first team to win three straight postseason games in extra…

The Orioles take Game 1 of their ALDS, 12 – 3, over the Tigers. The game is close until the O’s score 8 times in the bottom of the 8th to run away with the score, but before that, Nelson Cruz opens the score with a two-run homer off Max Scherzer in the bottom of the 1st, and J.J. Hardy hits a solo shot off Scherzer in the 7th to make it 4 – 2. Chris Tillman is the winner.

ByBaseball

The Orioles take Game 1 of their ALDS, 12 – 3, over the Tigers. The game is close until the O’s score 8 times in the bottom of the 8th to run away with the score, but before that, Nelson Cruz opens the score with a two-run homer off Max Scherzer in the bottom of the 1st, and J.J. Hardy hits a solo shot off Scherzer in the 7th to make it 4 – 2. Chris Tillman is the winner.

The Royals win again in extra innings, defeating the Angels, 3 – 2, on Mike Moustakas’ homer off Fernando Salas in the top of the 11th in Game 1 of the other ALDS. Both Angels runs come off homers against Kansas City starter Jason Vargas, one by Chris Iannetta in the 3rd and the other by David Freese in the 5th. Danny Duffy, the Royals’ seventh pitcher, is the winner, while Greg Holland gets the save.

ByBaseball

The Royals win again in extra innings, defeating the Angels, 3 – 2, on Mike Moustakas’ homer off Fernando Salas in the top of the 11th in Game 1 of the other ALDS. Both Angels runs come off homers against Kansas City starter Jason Vargas, one by Chris Iannetta in the 3rd and the other by David Freese in the 5th. Danny Duffy, the Royals’ seventh pitcher, is the winner, while Greg Holland gets the save.

Brandon Crawford becomes the first shortstop to hit a postseason grand slam
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Brandon Crawford becomes the first shortstop to hit a postseason grand slam

ByThis Day in Baseball

Brandon Crawford becomes the first shortstop to hit a postseason grand slam when he clears the bases in the fourth inning of the winner-take-all National League Wild Card Game, an 8-0 Giants’ victory over the Pirates. Crawfords blast quiets the very enthusiastic PNC Park crowd, who has been a valuable asset to the home team during the season. Madison Bumgarner pitches a complete game, four-hit shutout while Edinson Volquez is tagged with the loss.

New rules to be tested

ByThis Day in Baseball

Major League Baseball announces that it will test some new rules to speed up the flow of the game during this coming Arizona Fall League season. Hitters will no longer be allowed to step out of the batter’s box during an at-bat; pitchers will need to begin their pitching motion within 20 seconds of receiving the ball; a batter will take his base automatically when an intentional walk is called for, without the need for the pitcher to throw four pitches outside the strike zone; teams will be limited to three mound conferences, now called time-outs, per game; and there will be a set maximum time before the first pitch is delivered following a change of innings or a pitching change. If these changes prove successful, they may well be introduced at all levels of organized baseball.

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2014 – Jose Altuve spanks a double and single in an 8-3 loss to the Mets to finish with 225 hits, smashing Craig Biggio’s club record. Altuve’s .341 batting average wins the American League title. Houston finishes 70-92, their best record since 2010 and their first without 100 losses in four years. 

ByTom

2014 – Jose Altuve spanks a double and single in an 8-3 loss to the Mets to finish with 225 hits, smashing Craig Biggio’s club record. Altuve’s .341 batting average wins the American League title. Houston finishes 70-92, their best record since 2010 and their first without 100 losses in four years. 

2014 – One day after the end of the regular season, the Twins, who finished in last place for the third time in the last four years, fire long-time manager Ron Gardenhire after 13 seasons. For their part, the Astros announce the hiring of A.J. Hinch as their new skipper, after completing the season under interim manager Tom Lawless.

ByBaseball

2014 – One day after the end of the regular season, the Twins, who finished in last place for the third time in the last four years, fire long-time manager Ron Gardenhire after 13 seasons. For their part, the Astros announce the hiring of A.J. Hinch as their new skipper, after completing the season under interim manager Tom Lawless.

For the second straight season, a pitcher tosses a no-hitter on the last day of the regular season. After Henderson Alvarez last year, it’s Jordan Zimmermann’s turn to shine, as the Nationals defeat Miami, 1 – 0. It is the first no-hitter in Nats history, although they recorded four such games when they were the Montréal Expos. Ironically, Alvarez ends up the loser, allowing a solo homer to Ian Desmond in the 2nd for the only run of the game. LF Steven Souza saves the day by making a tremendous catch of a line drive by Christian Yelich to end the game.

ByBaseball

For the second straight season, a pitcher tosses a no-hitter on the last day of the regular season. After Henderson Alvarez last year, it’s Jordan Zimmermann’s turn to shine, as the Nationals defeat Miami, 1 – 0. It is the first no-hitter in Nats history, although they recorded four such games when they were the Montréal Expos. Ironically, Alvarez ends up the loser, allowing a solo homer to Ian Desmond in the 2nd for the only run of the game. LF Steven Souza saves the day by making a tremendous catch of a line drive by Christian Yelich to end the game.

The Athletics avoid a monumental collapse, saving their season when Sonny Gray tosses a six-hit shutout to beat the Rangers, 4 – 0, and ensure Oakland’s place as the second wild card team in the American League. The A’s had the best record in the majors at the All-Star break, but end up just one game ahead of Seattle for the final postseason slot in the AL.

ByBaseball

The Athletics avoid a monumental collapse, saving their season when Sonny Gray tosses a six-hit shutout to beat the Rangers, 4 – 0, and ensure Oakland’s place as the second wild card team in the American League. The A’s had the best record in the majors at the All-Star break, but end up just one game ahead of Seattle for the final postseason slot in the AL.