The suddenly unstoppable Atlanta Braves won their ninth successive game, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 on Sunday to complete another sweep away from home. 

It was a staggering 18th straight loss for the Orioles, who previously endured a 14-game skid in May and are an MLB-worst 38-85 this season. 

Baltimore had their best pitcher on the mound to try and end the slump, but John Means surrendered a solo home run to Jorge Soler and a two-run double to Adam Duvall in the fourth inning for all the runs Atlanta needed. 

Touki Toussaint allowed the Orioles' only run in the bottom of the inning on a Ramon Urias double, and five relief pitchers kept Baltimore off the scoreboard after he departed. 

After going unbeaten in successive series at the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and Orioles, the Braves have won 13 in a row on the road. 

That road streak is the longest in franchise history and tied for the second-longest by a National League team since divisional play began in 1969, with only the 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers (15) exceeding their run. 

Atlanta have not lost away from Truist Park since July 28, when they dropped a 2-1 decision at the New York Mets.  

 

Reds move into wild card position with sweep

The Cincinnati Reds hit three solo home runs, two of them by Tyler Naquin, while Vladimir Gutierrez and two relievers held the Miami Marlins in check on the way to a 3-1 victory and a four-game sweep. The win coupled with the San Diego Padres' 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies put the Reds alone in the second National League wild card slot. 

Pinch-hitter Donovan Solano's two-run homer in the eighth was the difference as the San Francisco Giants edged the Oakland Athletics 2-1 for their 80th win of the season. They have done so in just 124 games, their best pace since their remarkable 1993 campaign that saw them miss the postseason despite a 103-59 record in the pre-wild card era.

The Los Angeles Dodgers saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end in a 7-2 home defeat to the New York Mets, as the World Series champions managed just five hits off Marcus Stroman and three relievers and J.D. Davis drove in four runs for New York. 

Ty France homered to tie the game in the ninth, then gave the Seattle Mariners the lead in the 11th before Kyle Seager's three-run homer blew the game open as the Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 6-3. 

Adam Wainwright allowed just two hits and struck out nine with no walks in eight innings as the St Louis Cardinals blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0. 

 

Royals light up woeful Cubs

The Kansas City Royals pounded out 16 hits in a 9-1 rout of the Chicago Cubs to complete a three-game series sweep. The Cubs have now lost 15 of their last 17 games and 21 of their last 25.

 

Miggy hits 500th

Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera became the 28th player in MLB history to reach 500 home runs with his opposite-field shot in the sixth inning of a 5-3 win at the Toronto Blue Jays. 

 

Sunday's results 

Tampa Bay Rays 9-0 Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals 9-1 Chicago Cubs
Detroit Tigers 5-3 Toronto Blue Jays
Milwaukee Brewers 7-3 Washington Nationals
New York Mets 7-2 Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants 2-1 Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners 6-3 Houston Astros
Cincinnati Reds 3-1 Miami Marlins
Atlanta Braves 3-1 Baltimore Orioles
St Louis Cardinals 3-0 Pittsburgh Pirates
Arizona Diamondbacks 8-4 Colorado Rockies
Philadelphia Phillies 7-4 San Diego Padres
Cleveland Indians 3-0 Los Angeles Angels
New York Yankees-Minnesota Twins (postponed)
Texas Rangers-Boston Red Sox (postponed)

 

Yankees at Braves

The two hottest teams in baseball collide as the New York Yankees (72-52) visit the Atlanta Braves (68-56) to open a brief two-game series with both clubs riding nine-game winning streaks. 

It has been a stressful couple of weeks for one of the greatest right-handed hitters in baseball history, but Miguel Cabrera finally reached a long-awaited milestone Sunday with his 500th career home run. 

The Detroit Tigers star launched a changeup by Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Steven Matz over the right-field fence at Rogers Centre for a solo homer that tied the game 1-1 in the sixth inning. The Tigers would go on to win 5-3 in 11 innings. 

That result was important to Cabrera after spending the 11 days since he hit his 499th home run with the spotlight squarely on him. 

Known for his easygoing on-field personality, Cabrera acknowledged feeling the pressure during last week's six-game homestand against the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels, which drew some of the largest crowds in Detroit this season.

Cabrera had four hits in 20 at-bats on the homestand and was hitless in 10 at-bats in three games in Toronto before going deep Sunday.

"Last week in Detroit was tough," Cabrera told reporters. "It was the first time in five, six years I've seen the crowd like that, excited and with a lot of energy. It was nice to see the energy back in Comerica Park.

"There was a lot of things going on in my mind, because I wanted to do it in Detroit. But it's tough to hit home runs there.

"I just have to thank God I hit it here and got it over with. Now I can try to keep playing baseball."

The 38-year-old became the first player from Venezuela to hit 500 home runs and the first to do so as a Tiger in the 120-year history of the franchise. 

An 11-time All-Star and two-time American League MVP, Cabrera is in his 14th season with Detroit after spending the first five years of his MLB career with the Marlins. 

Though Cabrera reached the milestone on the road, the fans in Toronto were appreciative, giving him a standing ovation and demanding a curtain call.

The Tigers also were thrilled to see the icon get over the hump. 

"He wants this for us as much as we wanted it for him," said manager A.J. Hinch. "He saw the stress around that was unspoken.

"It's a huge accomplishment for him and his country and what he's meant to baseball in Detroit and what he's meant to baseball in Miami, where he started his career, and obviously Team Venezuela. He's represented his country with extreme success on the field."

Cabrera is now four home runs from tying Hall of Famer Eddie Murray for 27th on the all-time list, but that is not the only milestone in his sights. 

He needs just 45 hits to reach 3,000 for his career. Only six players in MLB history have hit 500 homers while accumulating 3,000 hits: Murray, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro and Albert Pujols. 

Christian Yelich hit two home runs including a grand slam as the Milwaukee Brewers won 9-6 over the Washington Nationals in the MLB on Saturday.

Yelich tallied six RBIs, going three-for-five, while Kolten Wong provided a highlight with a spectacular tag from an in-field pop-out.

Left-fielder Yelich was the star, though, having struggled recently, with no home runs from his previous 69 at-bats.

Yelich delivered early with a solo home run at the bottom of the first inning with the Brewers 2-0 down. He also drove in a run in the fifth inning with a bouncing base hit to make it 3-2 before Wong tied it up with an outrageous run to home plate as the Nats fell asleep.

With the Brewers 5-4 down at the bottom of the eighth, Yelich provided the knockout punch with his 454-foot grand slam to deep right-field.

Yelich has 38 RBI and 66 hits, along with eight homers for the season. The Brewers improve their record to 75-49, firming up their grip on top spot in the National League Central.

 

Nine in a row for Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers made it nine consecutive wins as new recruits Trea Turner and Max Scherzer begin to really find their groove, recording a 4-3 win over the New York Mets.

Turner scored his first home run for the Dodgers since his move from the Washington Nationals last month with a lead-off homer.

Scherzer, who was also traded in from the Nats last month, sent down eight strikeouts across his five innings on the hill, allowing only one earned run.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola was spectacular with 11 strikeouts, retiring the first 18 San Diego Padres' batters, including his brother Austin, before his side lost 4-3 in extras.

LaMonte Wade Jr scored a pinch-hit go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth inning to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 6-5 win over the Oakland Athletics.

The New York Yankees piled on five runs in the fifth inning as they defeated the Minnesota Twins 7-1 with Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit both driving in two.

 

Mariners pitchers mauled by Astros

Starting pitcher Logan Gilbert had a tough shift on the hill for the Seattle Mariners as they were whacked 15-1 by the free-wheeling Houston Astros. The Astros piled on four runs in the third inning and another six in the fifth, as Gilbert was pulled having allowed nine earned runs. Gilbert's replacement, Robert Dugger, did not fare much better, allowing seven hits.

 

D.J.'s dazzling double play

D.J. Peters produced an amazing double play as the Texas Rangers won 10-1 over the Boston Red Sox. With the Rangers up 2-1 at the bottom of the third inning, Peters pulled off a tough outfield catch from Rafael Devers before a bullet long-range throw to first completed a spectacular double out.

 

Saturday's results 

New York Yankees 7-1 Minnesota Twins
Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals 4-2 Chicago Cubs
Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 Detroit Tigers
Milwaukee Brewers 9-6 Washington Nationals
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 New York Mets
San Francisco Giants 6-5 Oakland Athletics
Cleveland Indians 5-1 Los Angeles Angels
Houston Astros 15-1 Seattle Mariners
Cincinnati Reds 7-4 Miami Marlins
Atlanta Braves 5-4 Baltimore Orioles
Texas Rangers 10-1 Boston Red Sox
Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 St Louis Cardinals
Colorado Rockies 5-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres 4-3 Philadelphia Phillies

 

Mets at Dodgers

The Dodgers (78-46) will chase 10 straight wins when they take on the Mets (60-63) again in the final game of their four-game series.

Max Fried dominated on the mound, producing his first career complete-game shutout as the Atlanta Braves blanked the lowly Baltimore Orioles 3-0 in MLB.

Fried was the star of the show on Friday, allowing four hits in his first nine-inning complete game to fuel the Braves, who matched a modern-era, single-season franchise record following their 11th consecutive road victory.

The Braves pitcher needed just 90 pitches in the Maddux – which describes a pitcher tossing a complete-game shutout in fewer than 100 pitches, with Shelby Miller (94 pitches in 2015) the last Atlanta pitcher to achieve the feat.

According to Stats Perform, only three Braves pitchers have tossed a nine-inning shutout on 90 pitches or fewer since 1988 – Greg Maddux (five times), Tom Glavine and Fried (both once).

Travis d'Arnaud launched a two-run homer, while Braves team-mate Jorge Soler also went deep in Baltimore.

 

Royals hit homers for fun

The Kansas City Royals defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-2. Salvador Perez hit two of Kansas City's five home runs in the victory. It was the first time the Royals have ever hit five solo home runs in a game, according to Stats Perform. It was also the first time Kansas City have ever had three homers hit by a catcher in a game.

World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers prevailed 3-2 against the New York Mets to extend their winning streak to eight games.

The New York Yankees also stayed hot, winning their season-high eighth straight game by blitzing the Minnesota Twins 10-2. Luke Voit was inspirational again with a homer, four hits and four RBIs.

Bryce Homer crunched a two-run homer as the Philadelphia Phillies snapped a four-game losing streak via a 4-3 win at the San Diego Padres.

 

Sorry Orioles

Another day and another defeat for the Orioles. Baltimore have now lost by two-plus runs in 16 straight games – the longest streak by any team since the 1876 Cincinnati Red Stockings (18), according to Stats Perform.

The Toronto Blue Jays' hopes of reaching the playoffs took another hit following a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Toronto have now lost six of their last seven games.

 

Anderson lifts White Sox

Tim Anderson was behind the Chicago White Sox's 7-5 victory at the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit a game-tying homer in the ninth inning before delivering the tie-breaking RBI single in the 11th.

 

 

Friday's results 

Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 San Diego Padres
Kansas City Royals 6-2 Chicago Cubs
Atlanta Braves 3-0 Baltimore Orioles
New York Yankees 10-2 Minnesota Twins
Detroit Tigers 4-1 Toronto Blue Jays
Cleveland Indians 9-1 Los Angeles Angels
Chicago White Sox 7-5 Tampa Bay Rays
Cincinnati Reds 5-3 Miami Marlins
Boston Red Sox 6-0 Texas Rangers
Houston Astros 12-3 Seattle Mariners
Washington Nationals 4-1 Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 St Louis Cardinals
Colorado Rockies 9-4 Arizona Diamondbacks
Oakland Athletics 4-1 San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 New York Mets

 

Giants at Athletics

The Giants (78-44) and Athletics (70-53) will continue their battle in Oakland on Saturday, with Kevin Gausman and Sean Manaea the respective starters.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo purchased a stake in the Milwaukee Brewers, the MLB franchise announced on Friday.

After leading the Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years, Finals MVP Antetokounmpo is now part of the Brewers' ownership group in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo follows in the footsteps of star Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes by buying into the city's baseball team – the 2018 NFL MVP invested in MLB outfit the Kansas City Royals in 2020 before joining the ownership group of MLS side Sporting Kansas City this year.

"The city of Milwaukee means so much to me," two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo said.

"I am honoured to be joining the Brewers ownership group to further my commitment and dedication to this great community.

"I take great pride in my city and I'm excited about what we can build together."

Antetokounmpo finished the NBA Finals averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. LeBron James for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015 (35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists) is the only other player to average 35, 10 and five in a Finals series.

After Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon, Antetokounmpo is the third player to win a regular season MVP award, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP across his career.

Antetokounmpo added during Friday's news conference: "Man, this is unbelievable.

"This is a dream come true for a kid from Sepolia, Athens, Greece, born from immigrant parents. I could have never imagined I would be in this position.''

Antetokounmpo is the first new individual investor added to the Brewers ownership group since chairman Mark Attanasio purchased controlling interest in 2005.

"We are honoured to have Giannis join our team of Milwaukee Brewers investors," Attanasio said. "Giannis is a great athlete, a world champion, and a true local hero with international renown."

The Brewers – NL Central champions in 2011 and 2018 – are eyeing their first National League pennant and World Series title.

The surging New York Yankees posted their season-high seventh consecutive victory after topping the Minnesota Twins 7-5 in MLB.

Luke Voit fuelled the in-form Yankees with a two-run double in the team's four-run third inning on Thursday, while Kyle Higashioka and Giancarlo Stanton homered.

The Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, Boston Red Sox on Tuesday (twice) and Wednesday, and the Twins on Thursday.

According to Stats Perform, they are the first team in American League (AL) history to win six games against four different teams over a span of five days.

 

Dodgers win again

World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to seven games thanks to a 4-1 win against the New York Mets. Trea Turner went two for four and drove in a run. The Dodgers moved within two and a half games of the National League (NL) West-leading San Francisco Giants.

The Los Angeles Angels rallied to a 13-10 victory over the Detroit Tigers. The Angels matched a franchise record with an eight-run comeback, having trailed 10-2. They also overturned an eight-run deficit in 1986.

 

Orioles' woes continue

The Baltimore Orioles suffered a 15th straight defeat after going down 7-2 to the high-flying Tampa Bay Rays. Baltimore pitcher Jorge Lopez became the majors' first 14-game loser in 2021, allowing four runs, four hits, two walks and hitting a batter over two innings.

 

Votto goes big!

Joey Votto blasted a three-run homer to lead the Cincinnati Reds past the Miami Marlins 6-1.

 

Thursday's results 

Los Angeles Angels 13-10 Detroit Tigers
Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 Baltimore Orioles
Seattle Mariners 9-8 Texas Rangers
Houston Astros 6-3 Kansas City Royals
Oakland Athletics 5-4 Chicago White Sox
Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 Philadelphia Phillies
New York Yankees 7-5 Minnesota Twins
Cincinnati Reds 6-1 Miami Marlins
St Louis Cardinals 8-4 Milwaukee Brewers
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 New York Mets

 

White Sox and Rays

It will be a clash of the titans when the AL Central-leading White Sox (71-51) visit AL West pacesetters the Rays (75-47) on Friday. Lucas Giolito is the starter for the White Sox, while the Rays counter with Michael Wacha.

Two-way Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani produced another masterclass in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Ohtani hit his 40th home run of the MLB season and dominated across eight innings on the mound midweek.

The Japanese sensation allowed six hits, while striking out eight batters and walking none.

Ohtani became the first MLB player to register 40 homers in a season that he pitched at least 15 games. The previous record was Babe Ruth's 29 in 1919.

He also has 18 steals in 122 games for the Angels this season. According to Stats Perform, the only player in major history to reach 40 homers and 15 stolen bases in fewer team games was Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998 (117th game).

 

Dodgers roll on

World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-0 for their sixth consecutive victory. Max Muncy had two home runs to fuel the Dodgers, who moved within three games of the National League (NL) West-leading San Francisco Giants. San Francisco lost 6-2 to the New York Mets. Mitch White became the first Dodgers reliever to go 7.1 scoreless innings pitched since Ed Roebuck in 1960.

The Atlanta Braves edged the Miami Marlins 11-9. Freddie Freeman hit for the cycle for the second time in his career. According to Stats Perform, Freeman is the first NL first baseman in history to hit for the cycle more than once.

 

Red Sox swept by Yankees

The Boston Red Sox left New York emptyhanded after being swept by American League (AL) East rivals the Yankees following a 5-2 victory. Nick Pivetta gave up four runs in the second inning.

 

Polanco does it again

Jorge Polanco delivered another walk-off win for the Minnesota Twins, this time an 8-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians after 11 innings. Polanco hit a game-ending based-loaded single. Each of the last three Minnesota victories have ended with a Polanco walk off. He is the first player with a walk-off RBI in three consecutive team wins since David Ortiz in the 2004 playoffs and first in the regular season since Tony Pena in 1982, per Stats Perform.

 

 

Wednesday's results 

Chicago Cubs 7-1 Cincinnati Reds
Minnesota Twins 8-7 Cleveland Indians
Colorado Rockies 7-5 San Diego Padres
New York Mets 6-2 San Francisco Giants
Washington Nationals 8-5 Toronto Blue Jays
New York Yankees 5-2 Boston Red Sox
Los Angeles Angels 3-1 Detroit Tigers
Atlanta Braves 11-9 Miami Marlins
Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 Baltimore Orioles
Milwaukee Brewers 6-4 St Louis Cardinals
Seattle Mariners 3-1 Texas Rangers
Kansas City Royals 3-2 Houston Astros
Chicago White Sox 3-2 Oakland Athletics
Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 Philadelphia Phillies
Los Angeles Dodgers 9-0 Pittsburgh Pirates

 

Mets at Dodgers

The Dodgers (75-46) will put their winning streak on the line when they host the Mets (60-60) on Thursday. Max Scherzer toes the mound for the Dodgers, while the Mets will counter with Rich Hill.

Youngster Jo Adell crushed a go-ahead grand slam to guide the Los Angeles Angels to a stunning 8-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers in MLB on Tuesday.

With the scores locked at 2-2 and bases loaded at the top of the ninth inning, the 22-year-old stepped up to deliver his first home run of the season at the perfect time for the Angels.

Adell hit a Gregory Soto fastball high over left-field, which came after he was seen receiving advice from Mike Trout in the batting cage pre-game following a poor recent run.

"He pulled me aside and told me I've been having really good at-bats and spitting on the pitches I can't handle but to stay on the fastball," Adell said. "Something was in the zone hard, and I was ready to attack.

"It was electric. When I hit it, I just turned and Trout was at the stairwell at the dugout so I just looked over and just went crazy. The whole experience was great."

Cruz's two-homer game, Webb stars

Nelson Cruz plated five runs with a two-homer game in the Tampa Bay Rays' 10-0 triumph over the Baltimore Orioles. He hit a three-run shot in the fifth inning, before adding another two with a sixth-inning homer. Mike Zunino also homered for the fifth straight game.

Emerging right-hander Logan Webb starred on the hill allowing only two runs over a career-high seven and one-third innings as the San Francisco Giants defeated the New York Mets 3-2. Pete Alonso spoiled his shut-out bid after seven scoreless innings.

Giancarlo Stanton smashed his 19th home run of the season as the New York Yankees won 2-0 over the Boston Red Sox in the second game of their double, after winning the opener 5-3.

Jose Abreu slugged a three-run homer just beyond Josh Harrison's reach and over the left-field wall in the Chicago White Sox's 9-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

 

Sickening head injury for Bassitt

There was a major concern from the White Sox win after A's starting pitcher Chris Bassitt was hit in the face by a line drive. Blood appeared to spill from the right side of Bassitt's head, before he was taken from the field on a cart. The A's have since released a statement confirming he is conscious and on his way to hospital.

 

Pham's 486-foot home run

Tommy Pham hit the longest home run of the season, his 13th of the campaign, making it 4-3 in the San Diego Padres' 7-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Pham's solo shot measured a monstrous 486 feet. Fernando Tatis Jr crushed his 34th home run of the season in the same inning.

 

Tuesday's results 

New York Yankees 5-3 Boston Red Sox
Washington Nationals 12-6 Toronto Blue Jays
New York Yankees 2-0 Boston Red Sox
Chicago Cubs 2-1 Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves 2-0 Miami Marlins
Tampa Bay Rays 10-0 Baltimore Orioles
Los Angeles Angels 8-2 Detroit Tigers
Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 St Louis Cardinals
Seattle Mariners 3-1 Texas Rangers
Chicago White Sox 9-0 Oakland Athletics
Kansas City Royals 3-1 Houston Astros
Cleveland Indians 3-1 Minnesota Twins
Colorado Rockies 7-3 San Diego Padres
Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 Philadelphia Phillies
San Francisco Giants 3-2 New York Mets
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Pittsburgh Pirates

 

Mets at Giants

The San Francisco Giants (78-42) have a good lead atop the National League West although they will be tested by the New York Mets (59-60) in the third and final game of their series.

Kris Bryant hit two home runs and Brandon Crawford was perfect at the plate as the San Francisco Giants defeated the New York Mets 7-5 in MLB action Monday. 

Bryant's two-run drive in the fifth inning gave the Mets a 4-3 lead and he helped expand it in the seventh, following Brandon Belt's solo shot by homering on the next pitch. 

Crawford drove in the final San Francisco run with a triple later than inning, capping a four-for-four night. 

Whle the Giants improved to an MLB-best 77-42, the Mets (59-59) dropped the fourth in a row after being swept in Los Angeles by the Dodgers over the weekend. 

 

Cole beats Angels in return

A pair of first-inning home runs accounted for all the scoring as the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels 2-1, with Joey Gallo's two-run shot trumping Justin Upton's solo homer. The latter was the only blemish for Yankees ace Gerrit Cole as made his first start in more than weeks thanks to a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. Cole allowed just one other hit and struck out nine in 5.2 innings. 

After Trent Grisham's three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning tied the game for the San Diego Padres, the Colorado Rockies walked off 6-5 winners on a homer in the bottom of the inning from C.J. Cron.

The Chicago White Sox expanded their division lead to an MLB-high 11 games with a 5-2 home win against the Oakland Athletics as Luis Robert homered and Seby Zavala drove in a pair of runs. 

After a two-homer game Sunday, Max Muncy's eighth-inning solo shot gave the Los Angeles Dodgers their winning margin in a 2-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Freddie Freeman and Adam Duvall homered while Ozzie Albies drove in three more runs as the Atlanta Braves routed the Miami Marlins 12-2 to extend their lead in the National League East to 1.5 games.

Jorge Polanco had his second walk-off hit in as many games for Minnesota, with his 10th-inning RBI double giving the Twins a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians a day after his sacrifice fly in the ninth beat the Tampa Bay Rays. The last Twins player to produce walk-off wins in successive games was Jacque Jones in July 2005.

 

Sparse crowd in St. Pete

The Rays (72-47) have the best record in the American League, but the official attendance at Tropicana Field for Monday's 9-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles was the lowest in franchise history for a game not affected by coronavirus-related capacity restrictions. The loss was the 12th in a row for the Orioles, who have the worst record in the AL at 38-79.

 

Votto collects 2,000th hit

At age 37, Joey Votto's impressive 2021 season produced another milestone as he collected his 2,000th career hit in Cincinnati's 14-5 demoltion of the Chicago Cubs. He is the 35th player in MLB history to reach 2,000 hits and 300 home runs with one franchise, and the second Reds player to do it, joining Hall of Famer Johnny Bench.

 

Monday's results 

New York Yankees 2-1 Los Angeles Angels
Cincinnati Reds 14-5 Chicago Cubs
Tampa Bay Rays 9-2 Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves 12-2 Miami Marlins
Kansas City Royals 7-6 Houston Astros
Minnesota Twins 5-4 Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox 6-2 Oakland Athletics
Colorado Rockies 6-5 San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants 7-5 New York Mets
Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Pittsburgh Pirates

 

Red Sox at Yankees

Eternal rivals the Boston Red Sox (69-51) and New York Yankees (66-52) will play a doubleheader in the Bronx as both teams chase Tampa Bay in the American League East. 

Fernando Tatis Jr. continued where he left off before injury as the returning San Diego Padres star hit a pair of home runs in Sunday's 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tatis had been on the injured list since July 31 due to a partially dislocated left shoulder, however, the MLB All-Star made his comeback against the Diamondbacks.

The 22-year-old – playing in right field for the first time in his professional career – slugged his 32nd and 33rd homers of the season to help the Padres avoid a four-game sweep.

Tatis finished four-for-five with four RBIs and three runs scored as the Padres maintained their lead in the race for the second National League (NL) Wild Card spot, two and a half games clear of the Cincinnati Reds.

"Just make them remember why they miss you," said Tatis, who homered in the third and fifth innings. "I feel like that's what it is. The hunger of being outside and not doing anything for my team for so long, I really felt bad. So, coming back, you bring your 100 per cent, take a chill and do what you know what to do."

 

McKenzie flirts with perfect game

Cleveland Indians pitcher Triston McKenzie stared at history in the team's 11-0 shutout of the Detroit Tigers. McKenzie was four outs away from perfection, retiring the first 23 Detroit batters in order. He lost the perfect game in the eighth inning. Not since 1981 have the Indians recorded a no-hit performance from one of their pitchers.

Texas Rangers rookie DJ Peters hit a pair of two-run homers in a 7-4 win at home to the Oakland Athletics.

The New York Yankees topped the Chicago White Sox 5-3 behind two-run homers via Rougned Odor and Luke Voit.

 

Slumping Cubs reeling

The Chicago Cubs suffered their 11th consecutive defeat following a 4-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. There have now been eight different losing streaks of 11-plus games this season according to Stats Perform – Cubs (twice), Baltimore Orioles (twice), Diamondbacks (twice), Rangers and Kansas City Royals. It is the most such losing streaks in a season since 1899. It is also the first time three different teams had multiple losing streaks of 11-plus games in a season.

 

Muncy crushes Mets

Max Muncy showed no mercy in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 14-4 victory against the New York Mets. He hit two homers, including this two-run dinger in the sixth inning.

 

Sunday's results 

Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Atlanta Braves 6-5 Washington Nationals
Cincinnati Reds 7-4 Philadelphia Phillies
Boston Red Sox 6-2 Baltimore Orioles
Miami Marlins 4-1 Chicago Cubs
Cleveland Indians 11-0 Detroit Tigers
New York Yankees 5-3 Chicago White Sox
Minnesota Twins 5-4 Tampa Bay Rays
Texas Rangers 7-4 Oakland Athletics
St Louis Cardinals 7-2 Kansas City Royals
San Francisco Giants 5-2 Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Angels 3-1 Houston Astros
San Diego Padres 8-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Dodgers 14-4 New York Mets

 

Angels at Yankees

Gerrit Cole will make his return to the mound following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list when the Yankees (65-52) host the Angels (59-60) on Monday. Jose Suarez starts for the Angels in the make-up game from July 1.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will start Monday's MLB clash against the Los Angeles Angels after recovering from coronavirus.

Cole landed on the COVID-19 injured list following a positive test on August 3, having not pitched since the Yankees' showdown with the Tampa Bay Rays on July 29.

But the four-time All-Star will take to the mound against the Angels.

"I'm feeling good, ready to go," Cole said on Sunday. "I'm very much looking forward to it.

"I don't think we'll push the limits by any means because the recovery will be important, but I'm ready to pitch."

In 2021, Cole has a 3.11 ERA through 21 games, with 176 strikeouts and a 10-6 win-loss record.

Cole is tied for fourth this season in shutouts, only behind Anthony DeSclafani of the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics star Sean Manaea and Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.

Only Wheeler (187) has managed more strikeouts than Cole this season.

The Yankees (65-52) are third in the American League (AL) East, behind the high-flying Rays (71-47) and Boston Red Sox (69-51), while they are two and a half games adrift in the Wild Card race.

"I think we've done a really great job," Cole said. "We're playing good baseball, but we still feel like we can play just a little bit better.

"Now we're just looking for the final piece to push it over the edge and really get white-hot here."

Last year, Tyler Gilbert was working as an electrician with his father. On Saturday, he lit up Chase Field with a historic no-hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their win over the San Diego Padres.

Gilbert became only the fourth pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter in his first major league start, inspiring the lowly Diamondbacks to a 7-0 victory.

He gave up only three walks and delivered five strikeouts across 102 pitches as he followed in the footsteps of Ted Breitenstein (1891), Bumpus Jones (1892) and Bobo Holloman (1953).

It was a far cry from days spent working with his dad in Northern California, with Gilbert forced to find another job to make ends meet after the 2020 minor league season was cancelled.

He should be employed in MLB for some time after etching his name into the history books with a calm that belied the magnitude of the moment.

"It was just one of those days," Gilbert said. "I know balls were getting hit around, but they were getting hit to guys.

"And then I was making good pitches. It was just kind of a rush the whole time, to be honest.

"It was weird. I wasn't nervous at all, and I felt like I should have been. I don't know why, but I kept just going out there and doing my thing.

"I was really nervous before the game leading up to the game, but after the three-pitch eighth inning, I was like, 'Okay, this is going to happen.' But, no, I just kind of stayed level-headed and then kept making pitches."

"I did think it was going to go down [for a hit], but it kind of carried a little bit," Gilbert added of the final out, Tommy Pham's cut fastball to Ketel Marte.

"I saw it hanging in the air, and I'm like, 'Okay, this is it.' That's happening. So that's cool.

"It's crazy. I'm happy to be here. I'd rather be doing this than pulling wires. No offence, Dad."

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets went to extras for the second straight game with Cody Bellinger coming up with the crucial RBI in a 2-1 win for the world champions on Saturday.

The Dodgers had won 6-5 on Friday against the Mets and backed that up in another tight contest, with Bellinger's line hit allowing Corey Seager to score easily in the 10th inning.

This came after the Dodgers had been held hit-less across six innings by the Mets, with LA also having an 1-12 record in extras coming into the series.

Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker had eight strikeouts but Will Smith hit a game-tying solo home run in the seventh inning for the Dodgers.

Bellinger has had an underwhelming season but came up with the crucial hit in the 10th inning before Corey Knebel locked down the save.

Walker Buehler had an exceptional performance for the Dodgers, keeping the game tight with 10 strikeouts across seven innings. That marks the sixth time Buehler has gone at least seven innings and allowed one earned run or fewer.

The win improves the Dodgers record to 71-46, while the Mets are 59-57.

 

Moore silences the boos, Gilbert no-hitter

Making his 10th start of the season, Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Matt Moore allowed no hits, tossing down eight strikeouts in their 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Moore's no-hit start was across six innings and comes after copping boos for his relief display against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this week. "A day like today, coming off the field, it’s something you wish you could put in a bottle and open up someday or relive it," Moore said.

In his first big league start, Tyler Gilbert completed a no-hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks, with five strikeouts across nine innings in their 7-0 triumph over the San Diego Padres.

Chris Sale fired in his return to the mound after two years, tossing down eight strikeouts in the Boston Red Sox' 16-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, while Rafael Devers had two hits and four RBI.

Matt Chapman had a game to remember after bashing two home runs and taking an unbelievable catch running backwards in the Oakland Athletics' 8-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Shohei Ohtani drilled a lead-off home run, taking his season tally to 39 homers, as the Los Angeles Angels lost 8-2 to the Houston Astros.

Joey Gallo crushed a two-run home run in the 10th inning to cap the New York Yankees' 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox.

 

Rays dismantled by Twins

The Tampa Bay Rays may be leading the American League East with a 71-46 record but they were dismantled by the resurgent Minnesota Twins 12-0. The Rays trailed 7-0 after three innings and only managed three hits for the game.

 

Swanson makes Braves history

The Atlanta Braves hit four home runs in their 12-2 win over the Washington Nationals, including Dansby Swanson who made franchise history, with no Braves short-stop hitting more homers than him.

 

Saturday's results 

Pittsburgh Pirates 14-4 Milwaukee Brewers
Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 Cincinnati Reds
Boston Red Sox 16-2 Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves 12-2 Washington Nationals
Miami Marlins 5-4 Chicago Cubs
Detroit Tigers 6-4 Cleveland Indians
Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 Pittsburgh Pirates
Oakland Athletics 8-3 Texas Rangers 
New York Yankees 7-5 Chicago White Sox
St Louis Cardinals 9-4 Kansas City Royals
Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 New York Mets
Minnesota Twins 12-0 Tampa Bay Rays
Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 San Diego Padres
Colorado Rockies 4-1 San Francisco Giants
Houston Astros 8-2 Los Angeles Angels 
Seattle Mariners 9-3 Toronto Blue Jays

 

Padres at Diamondbacks

Fernando Tatis Jr could return for the first time this month following a shoulder injury when the Padres complete their four-game series against the Diamondbacks who are chasing a sweep.

Two-time MLB home run leader Chris Davis has parted ways with the Baltimore Orioles and announced his retirement .

The 35-year-old, who won the Silver Slugger Award in 2013 and topped the MLB home run charts in 2013 and 2015, has battled injuries in recent years.

Davis had more than a year remaining on his franchise-record $161million contract with the Orioles.

"After an extended time dealing with my injury and recent hip surgery, I informed the Orioles about my decision to retire effective today," Davis wrote in an official statement.

"I want to thank the Orioles partnership group, led by the Angelos family, the Orioles organization, my teammates and coaches, The University of Maryland Children’s Hospital with whom I will continue to be involved following my retirement and, of course, Birdland. Thank you all for the many memories I will cherish forever."

Davis hit a franchise-record 53 home runs in 2013, earning All-Star selection and topped the majors charts again in 2015 with 47 homers.

The left-handed batter signed a seven-year deal with the Orioles prior to the 2016 season but struggled to re-produce his slugging form in his latter years in Baltimore.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes tied a major league record with 10 consecutive strikeouts as he finished with 15 K's in their 10-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in the MLS on Wednesday.

Burnes dominated for the Brewers on the mound, tossing 15 strikeouts across eight innings, only allowing four hits, completely blanketing the Cubs from the second to fifth innings.

After a 7-0 first inning for the Brewers, the 26-year-old right-hander came into his own starting in the second inning when he got his first strikeout of the game to Frank Schwindel.

Burnes' run kept on going, reaching a franchise-record eight straight strikeouts with a 97mph pitch to Willson Contreras in the fourth.

He added another to Ian Happ and rounded it out in the fifth by striking out Schwindel again to complete 10 straight.

Burnes joins Tom Seaver and Aaron Nola in MLB’s record books, with the latter also achieving the consecutive feat this season on June 25 against the New York Mets.

The records did not stop there, with the 15 strikeouts being a career-high for Burnes. That was the most K's without a walk in Brewers history and also the biggest Milwaukee shutout win in franchise history.

 

Ohtani ends home-run drought

Two-way Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani ended his 14-game home-run drought with a two-run homer in his side's 10-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The home run was Ohtani's 38th of the season.

Ohtani's form had dipped since the All-Star break, managing only five home runs in 81 at-bats, with no RBI since July 31 until Wednesday's return.

Evergreen Adam Wainwright threw a shutout in a 4-0 win for the St Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitching all nine innings, allowing only two hits with seven strikeouts.

To add to Wainwright's perfect game, he also had an RBI of his own. It was his 11th shutout of his career and first since 2016.

Ozzie Albies hit a walk-off homer to lift the Atlanta Braves into equal first as they triumphed 8-6 over the Cincinnati Reds, after blowing a 5-0 lead.

Trailing 3-2, Elvis Andrus and Jed Lowrie hit eighth-inning home runs to lift the Oakland Athletics to a 6-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.

 

Rays nightmare as Randy misses fly-ball

It was a bad game for the Tampa Bay Rays who lost 20-8 to the Boston Red Sox, with starting pitcher Josh Fleming conceding 11 hits and 10 earned runs into the fourth inning before being pulled. In that context, the Rays did not need right-fielder Randy Arozarena to fluff a routine fly-ball catch, allowing three more runs in the fifth inning to trail 14-0.

 

Miggy moves up to 499

With scores locked at 0-0 in the fifth inning, up stepped Miguel Cabrera to nail a home run over center-field. The homer not only broke the deadlock in the Detroit Tigers' 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles but it took Cabrera's career home-run tally up to 499, one away from joining an illustrious club, alongside 27 others.

 

Wednesday's results 

Minnesota Twins 1-0 Chicago White Sox
Houston Astros 5-1 Colorado Rockies
New York Yankees 5-2 Kansas City Royals
Miami Marlins 7-0 San Diego Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers 8-2 Philadelphia Phillies
Detroit Tigers 5-2 Baltimore Orioles
St Louis Cardinals 4-0 Pittsburgh Pirates
Boston Red Sox 20-8 Tampa Bay Rays
Oakland Athletics 6-3 Cleveland Indians
Atlanta Braves 8-6 Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers 10-0 Chicago Cubs
Toronto Blue Jays 10-2 Los Angeles Angels
San Francisco Giants 7-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
Seattle Mariners 2-1 Texas Rangers
New York Mets - Washington Nationals (suspended)

 

Tigers at Orioles

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has declared Cabrera will play in Thursday's series-finale against the Orioles, with the 500 home run milestone on the cards.

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