Monday, September 22, 2014

Josh Donaldson Crushes 2-Run Walk-Off Homer in 10th; Matt Kemp Tearing It Up as Dodgers Seek NL West Pennant

Players of the Day for Sunday, September 21, 2014

American League

Josh Donaldson cracked a two-run homer in Oakland's 8-6, 10-inning, walk off win over the Phillies.

Donaldson: MVP?
The game-winner came with one out off Philly reliever Miguel Gonzalez (0-1), after Nate Freiman singled and was replaced by pinch runner Billy Burns. Donaldson's blast was a no-doubter, traveling 444 feet, over the center field wall.

Donaldson finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs and the two RBI from the homer, giving him 97 ribbies on the season, to go with his 28 home runs and .255 batting average. Should Oakland make the playoffs - a distinct possibility - Donaldson would be a viable MVP candidate.

Oakland's win put them 1/2 game in front of Kansas City in the wild card race. The A's are in line for the top wild card spot as Kansas City beat Detroit, 5-2.

On Monday, the A's open a three-game home series against the Angels, who need just a few more wins to wrap up the best record in the American League. Oakland closes out the season with a four-game series at Texas on September 25-28.

Kemp: 4-5, HR, 4RBI
National League

Matt Kemp has been on a tear as the Dodgers streak toward the NL West division title.

Including Sunday's 4-for-5 effort, Kemp has stroked four homers and driven in 15 runs in his last nine games, securing his spot in the Dodgers' crowded outfield roster.

In the 8-5 Dodger win over the Cubs, Kemp singled three times and smacked a two-run homer in the third inning - his 23rd - driving in four runs to give him 84 on the year.

LA scored 37 runs in the four-game series at Chicago, winning three of four, the lone loss an 8-7 decision for the Cubs on Saturday.

The Dodgers have a 4 1/2 game lead over the Giants, who have lost three straight. LA has six games remaining in the regular season; San Francisco has seven, making the Dodgers' magic number to clinch the division, three.

Finishing out the season at home, the Dodgers host the Giants in a three-game series starting Monday, before finishing up against Colorado on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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