American League
As August is about to turn into September, teams are beginning to grind out the remaining schedule, some with no hope for the playoffs, others hoping to hold onto their advantages and still others needing to win as often as possible to reach the promised land of October.
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| Alonso: Pinch-hit HR |
Two such teams met at Yankee Stadium Friday as the Yankees hosted the Mariners in the opener of a three game series. New York entered the game in second place in the AL East, 4 1/2 behind Boston, and with a 3 1/2 game lead over Minnesota as the top wild card.
Seattle started the night hopelessly mired behind the Astros in the AL West, 12 1/2 out, but contentious in the wild card, 1/2 game behind the Twins for the #2 wild card. At the conclusion of an 11-inning ordeal, it was the Mariners on top of a 2-1 score thanks to some timely situational pitching and a solo home run from Yonder Alonso, who sat out almost the whole game but was ready when called upon as a pinch hitter.
Alonso, picked up buy Seattle from Oakland, made his mark in his 15th game in a Mariner uniform, taking Yankee reliever Aroldis Chapman deep (a 413-foot shot to center) for the lead in the 11th. Closer Edwin Diaz walked one in the bottom of the 11th but secured the win with his 30th save.
On the year, Alonso is batting .272 with 24 home runs and 57 RBI. Since joining the Mariners, he's batting .302, with two home runs and nine RBI, none bigger than Friday's blast.
The win came in the opener of a three-game series, and reduced New York's margin in the wild card to just 2 1/2 over the Twins, 6-1 winners at Toronto. The Yanks remain 4 1/2 behind Boston as the Orioles hammered the Red Sox, 16-3 at Fenway Park.
Grinding its way to another win, Seattle stayed 1/2 back of the Twins, but their position is improving as they've won seven of their last nine. They'll look to get in even better position when they take the field against the Yankees in game two, Saturday at 1:05 pm ET.
National League
Giancarlo Stanton is having a memorable August. Maybe a monumental August would be closer to the truth as he mashed two more home runs in Miami's 8-6 win over visiting San Diego.
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| Stanton: 2 HR, 5 RBI |
Wasting no time in his assault at the record books, Stanton socked his first home run in the first inning with Gordon on base, then followed up with a solo belt in the third. With the bases loaded in the fourth, Stanton drove a double to left, plating two more for a 5-2 Miami lead.
The Padres rallied for four runs in the sixth to take a 6-5 lead, but it proved not to be lasting, when Ozone delivered an inning later.
Even if Stanton suddenly stopped hitting home runs, he'd be the long ball champ for the National League, at least. He has 49 homers, followed by Cody Bellinger's 34. The Yankee rookie, Aaron Judge, leads the AL with 37. With his latest home run barrage, Stanton now is within one of the NL record for homers in August, 17, shared by Sammy Sosa and the immortal Willie Mays. With six games remaining in the month for Miami, he's on the precipice of adding his name to the record books.
The two homers marked the ninth time this season that Stanton has hit two in one game. He's hit 23 home runs since the All Star break, is batting .364 in August and is within three of RBI leader, Nolan Arenado. Stanton's at 105; Arenado has 108.
Beisdes the incredible feats by Stanton, the Marlins have become the hottest item in the majors, winning 11 of their last 14, pulling to within 4 1/2 of the second wild card spot, currently in possession of the Colorado Rockies.
The Marlins will try to get even closer when they take the field in game two, Saturday night at Marlins Park. Game time is 7:05 pm ET.
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