Daniel Mengden Throws 2-Hit Shutout In A's Victory; Alex Wood's Strong Outing Gives Dodgers 3rd Straight Win

Players of the Day for Friday, September 15, 2017

American League

Streaks come and go but the game lives on.

Mengden: 2-hit shutout

Kansas City ended the longest winning streak in the history of the American League Friday, downing the Cleveland Indians, 4-3. The Indians had won 22 straight and lead the AL Central by an enormous 13 1/2 games with 14 left to play. A win on Saturday and a loss by Minnesota will clinch the division, because the Twins still have 15 games left.

In any case, the Indians will clinch the division and probably end the season with the best record in the league, ensuring home field throughout their stay in the playoffs.

Highlighting Friday night's exploits around the league was a meeting between two last place teams, as the Philadelphia Phillies hosted the Oakland A's in the first of three. A 4-0 victory for the Athletics was largely the work of 24-year-old Daniel Mengden, who tossed a two-hit, complete game shutout, evening his record for the season at 1-1.

Mengden spent most of the season at Nashville, the A's AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, and was called up in late May for two starts, resulting in one loss and one no decision. Recalled again September 9, Mengden pitched effectively, allowing two earned runs over six innings against Houston, but did not get a decision.

Finally, against the Phillies, he hit his best stride, throwing 118 pitches over the nine frames for the win, fanning seven and issuing no walks. If not for Phillies' shortstop J.P. Crawford, he would have had a perfect game. Crawford got the only two hits off Mengden, a single in the third and another in the sixth.

After Crawford singled to lead off the sixth, Mengden didn't allow another hit, getting the next batter on a popup, then retiring the side with a double play. He then set down the last nine in order to close out the game.

National League

Wood: 14-3, 2.69 ERA

Continuing the streak-ending narrative, it was the Dodgers who were recently reeling, losing seven straight, but that's ended too, as LA has now won three straight, the latest a 7-0 win over the Washington Nationals, a likely rival in the upcoming playoffs.

Alex Wood was on the mound for the Dodgers, and, having the benefit of seven runs in the first three innings off Washington starter, Edwin Jackson, allowed him to just rear back and fire strikes, throwing 63 of 91 pitches for Ks over six innings, allowing three hits and no runs.

Wood picked up his 14th win against a mere three losses, striking out eight, walking one, dropping his ERA to 2.69.

The Dodger win put them a step closer to winning the NL West, with a 9 1/2 game lead on Arizona, also winners of three straight.

The Dodgers magic number is six; Washington has already clinched the NL East division.

Game two is slated for a 1:05 pm ET start on Saturday.