Mike Napoli Leads Rangers over A's; Michael Morse Homers Twice as Nats Win

Players of the Day for Thursday, September 27, 2012

American League

Mike Napoli

With a 9-7 win over the A's, the Rangers finished their four-game series with the closest pursuer with a 2-2 split, just fine with the AL West leaders, who once again have opened up a four game ulge in the standings.

Mike Napoli came through with a 2-for-4 effort, as the Rangers scored five in the first and all of their runs in the first four innings. Napoli launched a two-run homer in the first inning and added an RBI single in the third.

Texas has a four-game lead with just six games left. Looks like they'll wrap up their third straight division title in sort order, possibly over the weekend.

National League

Michael Morse

With only the NL East and the second wild card still being contested, the Washington nationals took another step closer to a division title with a 7-3 win over the Phillies.

Michael Morse crushed a pair of homers - his 15th and 16th - and grounded out for another RBI, leading the Nationals to their second straight win over the fading Phils.

Atlanta, winners of five straight, continues in hot pursuit, four game back, but the Braves are running out of time and already have the #1 wild card sewn up. There are just six games left to play for both teams.

St. Louis had the day off, and has a three game lead on the Dodgers for the second wild card after LA topped the Padres, 8-4.

Milwaukee is another game back, losing to the Reds, 2-1.