Adam Jones Homers in 11th for Orioles; Pablo Sandoval Leads Giants Closer to NL West Pennant

Players of the Day for Wednesday. September 18, 2012

American League

Adam Jones came through with a two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning, leading Baltimore to a 3-1 victory over Seattle.

Jones, who had earlier singled, drove his 30th home run of the season beyond left field, scoring Nate McLouth ahead of him.

Adam Jones

Seattle's Felix Hernandez and Baltimore's Joe Saunders locked into a pitcher's duel, both starters going eight innings, allowing one run apiece. Hernandez struck out eight, raising his total for theyear to 207, third best in the AL.

Baltimore's win left them 1/2 game behind the Yankees, who took both ends of a double-header over the Blue Jays.

In the wild card, the Orioles passed Oakland by 1/2 game as Detroit topped the A's, 6-2. Detroit is five back of the A's for the second wild card, slipping past Tampa Bay, another 1/2 game back, but the Tigers moved a game closer to Central division-leading Chicago. The White Sox were shut out in Kansas City, 3-0, their lead down to two games over the Tigers.

National League

San Francisco moved closer to wrapping up the NL West, banging out 14 hits in a 7-1 win over the Rockies.

Pablo Sandoval

Pablo Sandoval got the Giants off to a quick start with a three-run, first-inning homer, his ninth of the season. In the fifth, Sandoval singles, stole second and took third on the errant throw, scoring on Brandon Belt's double to right. It was his first steal of the season. Sandoval finished 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI.

The Giants kept their lead over the Dodgers in the division at nine games, with 13 left to play for both teams, dropping their magic number to clinch at least a tie for the division to four.

San Francisco could clinch as early as this weekend.