Players of the Day for Wednesday, September 4, 2019
American League
Realists may believe Boston's chances for reaching the playoffs are fading fast, but apparently nobody told Mookie Betts.
The Red Sox's leadoff hitter absolutely tore up Minnesota's starting pitcher, Jose Berrios, leading off the bottom of the first with a solo home run, then mashing a three-run shot in the second. After Berrios went to the showers in the sixth, Betts responded to the relief staff with a single and his fifth RBI of the game, won by Boston, 6-2. The run was changed to Berrios.
Betts finished 4-for-5, with two homers - his 24th and 25th - two runs and five RBI, giving him 75 on the year. Betts leads the league in runs, with 125.
With Cleveland topping the White Sox, 8-6, Minnesota's loss left them 5 1/2 ahead of the Indians in the AL Central. Boston trails Oakland and Cleveland for the second wild card slot. Tampa Bay holds the top position, though only by 1/2 game over the A's and Indians.
The rubber game of the series is set for Thursday in Boston, at 7:10 pm ET. On Friday, the Red Sox welcome in the Yankees for a "make-or-break" four-game series over the weekend and into Monday.
National League
Kevin Pillar and the San Francisco Giants found a way to slow down the charging Cardinals, but just barely, as they out-slugged St. Louis in a 9-8 win.
Pillar's two-run homer in the eighth inning provided the difference, turning a 8-7 deficit into a 9-8 lead that was secured by the Giants' bullpen for the win.
The two teams combined for 28 hits and used 13 pitchers. Pillar went 4-for-5 with three singles in addition to his 21st home run of the year, driving in three runs.
At 67-72, the Giants have almost no hope of reaching the playoffs. The win snapped a four-game losing streak.
Even with the loss, the Cardinals remain one of the hottest teams in the majors, having won 14 of their last 18.
St. Louis continues to lead the NL Central, but dropped 1/2-game to the second place Cubs, who were idle on Wednesday and trail now by 2 1/2 games.
The Giants and Cardinals wrap up their four-game series in St. Louis on Thursday. Game time is 1:15 pm ET, after which the Giants head to Los Angeles for three games with the Dodgers. On Friday, the Cardinals begins a six-game road trip with three each in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
American League
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| Betts: 4-for-5, 2HR, 5RBI |
The Red Sox's leadoff hitter absolutely tore up Minnesota's starting pitcher, Jose Berrios, leading off the bottom of the first with a solo home run, then mashing a three-run shot in the second. After Berrios went to the showers in the sixth, Betts responded to the relief staff with a single and his fifth RBI of the game, won by Boston, 6-2. The run was changed to Berrios.
Betts finished 4-for-5, with two homers - his 24th and 25th - two runs and five RBI, giving him 75 on the year. Betts leads the league in runs, with 125.
With Cleveland topping the White Sox, 8-6, Minnesota's loss left them 5 1/2 ahead of the Indians in the AL Central. Boston trails Oakland and Cleveland for the second wild card slot. Tampa Bay holds the top position, though only by 1/2 game over the A's and Indians.
The rubber game of the series is set for Thursday in Boston, at 7:10 pm ET. On Friday, the Red Sox welcome in the Yankees for a "make-or-break" four-game series over the weekend and into Monday.
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| Pillar powers Giants |
Kevin Pillar and the San Francisco Giants found a way to slow down the charging Cardinals, but just barely, as they out-slugged St. Louis in a 9-8 win.
Pillar's two-run homer in the eighth inning provided the difference, turning a 8-7 deficit into a 9-8 lead that was secured by the Giants' bullpen for the win.
The two teams combined for 28 hits and used 13 pitchers. Pillar went 4-for-5 with three singles in addition to his 21st home run of the year, driving in three runs.
At 67-72, the Giants have almost no hope of reaching the playoffs. The win snapped a four-game losing streak.
Even with the loss, the Cardinals remain one of the hottest teams in the majors, having won 14 of their last 18.
St. Louis continues to lead the NL Central, but dropped 1/2-game to the second place Cubs, who were idle on Wednesday and trail now by 2 1/2 games.
The Giants and Cardinals wrap up their four-game series in St. Louis on Thursday. Game time is 1:15 pm ET, after which the Giants head to Los Angeles for three games with the Dodgers. On Friday, the Cardinals begins a six-game road trip with three each in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
