2018 – The Yankees set a new record for home runs in a season with #265 hit by Gleyber Torres in the 5th inning against the Red Sox. It eclipses the mark set by the 1997 Seattle Mariners.
With a two-run homer in the 2nd inning, Rockies OF Charlie Blackmon sets a new record for RBIs by a leadoff hitter with 101. The record was previously held by Darin Erstad, with 100. Blackmon adds another RBI later in the game as Colorado defeats the Dodgers, 9 – 1, to inch closer to confirming a postseason slot.
For the first time since the 2005 season, a major league game ends in a tie as rain stops the final scheduled contest of the year between the Cubs and Pirates in the 6th inning with the score at 1 – 1. The game will not be resumed as its result has no bearing on the postseason. The rules pertaining to ties were changed in 2007 making today’s situation the only one in which a tie game can now occur.
The Cardinals defeat the Reds , 4 – 3, on a game-ending double by Yadier Molina in the 9th. However, replays clearly show that third base umpire Scott Barry blew the call as Molina’s hit bounced into the stands and should have been called an automatic double, preventing Matt Carpenter from scoring from first base. Reds manager Bryan Price takes too long to request a video review and home plate umpire Bill Miller lets the run stand; Price explains that the roar of the crowd and the noise from the celebratory fireworks made it impossible for him to hear the telephone in the dugout that instructed him to challenge the call. The game is a key one in the three-team race for the two wild card spots in the National League, but a reversal of the call is unlikely to be granted on appeal.
The Angels are also on a roll, as they win their 7th straight game, 8 – 1 over the Athletics, leapfrogging over Houston into the second wild card slot in the American League. Albert Pujols has three hits and Erick Aybar drives in two runs in support of Nick Tropeano’s pitching.
The Dodgers clinch a third consecutive NL West title thanks to a superlative performance by Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw throws a one-hitter and strikes out 13 in an 8 – 0 win over the Giants. He finally defeats his personal nemesis, Madison Bumgarner, in the fourth meeting between the two aces this year.
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.
The Rangers and Rays both win on the last day of the season to force a one-game tiebreaker for the second AL wild-card spot. Texas, who won its last seven games, will host Tampa Bay in the 163rd game of the season, with the winner playing the Indians in a third consecutive do-or-die game.
The Tigers pitchers, with 13 combined K’s in the season finale, ending the season with 1,428, to establish the major league record for strikeouts by a team, surpassing a mark set by the 2003 Cubs. Detroit’s starting rotation features Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Anibal Sanchez, who all have each struck out 200+ batters this season.