Kris Bryant hits a two-run homer in the 10th inning Friday in the Cubs’ 6-4 victory over the Dodgers. Los Angeles Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Los Angeles.
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In the American League’s meeting of divisional leaders, Texas established a big early lead and shut out Cleveland.
“MVP!” chants started at Dodger Stadium late Friday night, Cubs fans celebrating Kris Bryant’s two-run homer in the 10th inning and cheering on this entertaining comeback win. No, really, you literally can’t, not in a 162-game major-league baseball regular season. It was a stark contrast to his previous outing against the Cubs when he gave up six runs in five innings, including three homers. This time he struck out eight and improved to 4-0 since the All-Star break.
Cubs starter Jason Hammel (13-7) lasted just 2 1/3 innings, surrendering three runs on five hits with one strikeout and no walks on 39 pitches (28 pitches). He gave up three runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Yankees 13, Orioles 5 • Rookie Gary Sanchez kept up a remarkable run, homering for the third straight game for host NY. There’s been quite a bit of that recently, Cub scoring in the first, and often it’s led to victory.
Boston beat Kansas City 8-3 in a game where much of the interest centered on Dustin Pedroia’s quest for the major league record on consecutive hits. Fowler and Bryant followed with back-to-back walks, but the Cubs were unable to capitalize further after Rizzo grounded out to end the inning.
Seconds later, Baez would balk Contreas to third and he would score two batters later on a single by Jason Heyward. “A couple of starts ago, I started picking up my confidence, and that really helped moving forward”.
Blackmon connected in the third, then hit a two-run drive off Yusmeiro Petit in the 11th.
TORONTO – Justin Smoak and Russell Martin each had five RBIs, Francisco Liriano earned his first win for the Blue Jays and Toronto used four home runs to defeat Minnesota.
NL MVP Bryce Harper was ejected in the 10th after getting called out on strikes.
CHICAGO – Felix Hernandez pitched 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball and Edwin Diaz pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning as Seattle beat Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.
Quintana allowed one run and struck out eight. But with runners on first and second and no outs, Ben Zobrist hit a questionable sacrifice bunt. Avisail Garcia, Alex Avila and Tyler Saladino also hit homers for Chicago.
Mets 12, Phillies 1 • Yoenis Cespedes clocked a three-run homer, Kelly Johnson had a pinch grand slam and Noah Syndergaard pitched two-hit ball over seven innings for host NY.
Yoenis Cespedes hit a three-run homer and Kelly Johnson had a pinch-hit grand slam for the Mets, who have won six of seven to close within 2-1/2 games of the last NL wildcard. Lester will look to wrap up a strong August, in which he’s posted a 2.10 ERA in 25 ⅔ innings pitched, allowing only 6 earned runs and striking out 29 batters.
Houston’s Dallas Keuchel threw seven solid innnins to steer the Astros to a 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay.
Josh Harrison had three hits and two runs batted in and Gregory Polanco contributed a three-run pinch double for visiting Pittsburgh.
Fernando Rodney (2-3) pitched a ideal ninth for the win.
The Los Angeles Dodgers might appear to be a better playoff matchup for the Washington Nationals, but they are starting to believe they can give the Chicago Cubs fits, too.
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Until Clayton Kershaw returns to full strength, stares down hitters from 60 feet, six inches and unleashes his entire arsenal, it’s impossible to know how the Cubs would stack up against Los Angeles in October.
