Jake Arrieta Wins 19th as Cubs Take Double-Header in Philly; Texas Downs A's, 2-0, on Colby Lewis Two-Hitter

Players of the Day for Friday, September 11, 2015

American League

Lewis: 2-hit shutout

Arrieta: 19-6

Perfect through seven innings, Colby Lewis fired a two-hit shutout over the Oakland A's as Texas took the first of a three-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington, 4-0.

Improving to 15-8 on the year, Lewis needed just 97 pitches to set down the Athletics, pitching to just two over the minimum.

Danny Valencia's double to open the eighth and a leadoff single by Josh Phegley in the ninth were the only blemishes on Lewis' pitching line, which included four strikeouts and no walks.

It was the second complete game and first shutout for Lewis this season. Since 2010, Lewis has nine complete games and three shutouts.

The Rangers, thanks to Houston's 3-2 loss to the Angels, are just 1 1/2 games out of first place in the AL West. They also picked up a game on the Yankees in the wild card race, as Toronto handed the Bombers an 11-5 defeat. Texas trails the Yankees by 3 1/.2 games and is currently one game ahead of the Twins for the second wild card spot.

The Rangers continue their series with the A's Saturday at 8:05 pm EDT.

AL NOTE: Baltimore's Nolan Reimold and Steve Clevenger became the first teammates this season to club grand slam home runs in the same inning, as the Orioles came from behind with a 10-run eighth inning to defeat the Royals, 14-8. The O's are the first team to hit a pair of slams in the same inning since the Mets did it in 2006. It's the seventh time it's happened in the majors since 1900.

National League

After rain postponed the opening of Chicago's series in Philadelphia on Thursday, the Cubs took both ends of a double-dip on Friday, winning the opener, 5-1, behind the steady arm of Jake Arrieta, and taking the nighcap, 7-3.

Arrieta threw eight innings for his 19th win, the most in the majors, allowing six hits and the lone earned run. He walked two and fanned seven as the Cubs picked up 1/2 game on the Pirates in the wild card race, now trailing by two, but all-but-assured of getting one of the two spots available. The Cubs are 9 1/2 games ahead of the Giants for the second wild card.

The win was the eighth straight for Arrieta, who has won each of his starts since August 4 and will be seeking his 20th win the middle of next week, likely against the Pirates. Chicago opens a four-game series in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Game three of Chicago's series at Philadelphia is slated for a 7:05 pm EDT start.