The Associated PressBraves blow out Mets 15-2, inch closer to NL East crown
Freddie Freeman added three more hits to his burgeoning MVP campaign, Ozzie Albies clubbed two of Atlanta's six homers and the Braves battered New York Mets pitching Friday night in a 15-2 blowout that thrust them closer to a third consecutive NL East title. Max Fried (7-0) returned from a brief stay on the injured list due to a back spasm and breezed through five innings that only help his Cy Young Award credentials. Freeman laced a two-run double and Marcell Ozuna followed with a long two-run homer in the second off Steven Matz (0-5), handed his latest drubbing in a lost season as he came back from shoulder discomfort.
The Associated PressCalhoun homers twice in Arizona’s 6-3 win over Houston
HOUSTON (AP) -- Kole Calhoun hit two home runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks over former teammate Zack Greinke and the Houston Astros 6-3 on Friday night.
Yahoo SportsDavid Ortiz opens up on family's coronavirus battle: 'Man, this is no joke'
Red Sox legend David Ortiz reveals he tested positive for COVID-19 and his brother spent a week in the hospital battling the virus.
The Associated PressCardinals sweep Pirates to gain ground in playoff push
Dylan Carlson's first taste of the big leagues didn't go as planned. The St. Louis Cardinals' top prospect hit just .169 in 23 games before being sent to the team's alternate camp earlier this month in hopes of finding a reset. The 21-year-old outfielder drilled a three-run homer to cap a six-run outburst in the sixth inning against the mistake-prone Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, helping lift St. Louis to a 7-2 victory and a doubleheader sweep.
The Associated PressAnderson's 3 HRs help Marlins earn split against Nats, 14-3
Brian Anderson tied a franchise record with three homers and drove in seven runs Friday to help the Miami Marlins earn a doubleheader split by beating the Washington Nationals 14-3. Corey Dickerson hit a solo homer for the Marlins, who remained in second place in the NL East as they chase their first playoff berth since 2003. The Marlins matched their season-high run total after they were shut out in the opener.
MLB.comBlue Jays vs. Phillies Highlights
Bryce Harper tied the game with a two-run double and scored the go-ahead run in the 6th inning to fuel the Phillies' Game 2 win
Detroit Free PressDetroit Tigers' Austin Romine 'gonna be OK' after exiting Friday's game with wrist injury
Detroit Tigers' Austin Romine departed from Friday's game against the Cleveland Indians with a left wrist injury but won't need the injured list.
The Associated PressAngels' Pujols passes Mays for 5th on HR list with No. 661
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols passed Willie Mays for fifth place on the career home run list, hitting No. 661 on Friday night against Texas.
MLB.comCG: CWS@CIN - 9/18/20
Condensed Game: The Reds capitalized on Tyler Mahle's solid outing and hit four homers in the team's 7-1 win over the White Sox
- SNY
2020 NL Cy Young Watch for Jacob deGrom: Max Fried lowers ERA to 1.96 in return from IL
Mets ace Jacob deGrom is trying to win his third-straight Cy Young, a feat that hasn't been achieved since Randy Johnson won his third-straight in 2001 (followed by his fourth-straight in 2002). Here's where things stand with deGrom and his closest competitors for the award...
The Associated PressHendricks sparkles, Cubs edge Twins 1-0 for 5th straight win
Kyle Hendricks tossed eight innings of three-hit, shutout ball to outduel Rich Hill, and the Chicago Cubs edged the Minnesota Twins 1-0 on Friday night for their fifth straight win. Hendricks stuck out 10 and walked one before Jeremy Jeffress worked around two walks in the ninth for his eighth save. After 104 pitches - including 73 strikes - Hendricks narrowly missed his fifth career shutout and his second this season.
NBC Sports WashingtonHow does starter Alex Cobb factor into the Orioles’ future?
Where does the veteran factor in?
NBC Sports BostonEx-Red Sox Brock Holt makes pitching appearance for Nationals
Former Red Sox utility man Brock Holt took the mound for the Nationals on Friday, and it was a pitching appearance you won't want to miss.
The Associated PressHarper rallies Phils past Blue Jays to sweep doubleheader
Bryce Harper hit a tying, two-run double and scored the go-ahead run on an error following Alec Bohm's infield single, helping the Philadelphia Phillies rally to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 Friday night and earn their first doubleheader sweep in eight years. Zach Eflin struck out nine in a four-hitter and Harper went deep in Philadelphia's 7-0 win in the opener. The Phillies came back twice in the nightcap.
Detroit Free PressDetroit Tigers' bats sleep through 1-0 loss to Cleveland Indians, Zach Plesac
The Detroit Tigers recorded six hits Friday at Comerica Park, but they lost, 1-0, to the Cleveland Indians as right-hander Zach Plesac led the way.
The Associated PressWinker homers, Reds beat White Sox 7-1 for 6th in a row
The Reds hitter in the deepest slump kept their winning streak going. Jesse Winker hit a three-run homer - one of four off White Sox starter Jonathan Stiever - and Cincinnati extended its surge into playoff contention with a 7-1 win Friday night for its season-high sixth victory in a row. The Reds moved to .500 (26-26) for the first time since Aug. 3.
- SNY
Mets Takeaways from Friday's 15-2 loss to the Braves, including Steven Matz's nightmarish start
The Mets fell behind early and the Braves poured it on in a 15-2 blowout win on Friday night.
The Associated PressIndians hold on in 9th for 1-0 victory over Tigers
DETROIT (AP) -- Zach Plesac pitched impressively into the eighth inning, and Brad Hand worked out of a jam in the ninth to send the Cleveland Indians to a 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
Detroit Free PressDetroit Tigers lose to Cleveland Indians, 1-0: Game thread replay
Detroit Tigers hosting Cleveland Indians with Michael Fulmer pitching against Zach Plesac
NBC Sports PhiladelphiaBryce Harper, Alec Bohm lead Phillies to first doubleheader sweep in 8 years
Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm weren't the only two reasons why the Phillies swept a doubleheader for the first time in 8 years but this was an enormous day for the two- and three-hitters. By Corey Seidman
The Associated PressGlasnow fans 10 in 5 innings to help Rays beat Orioles 2-1
Tyler Glasnow struck out 10 over five innings to help the Tampa Bay Rays beat Alex Cobb and the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Friday night. Glasnow (4-1) allowed one run, four hits and a pair of walks. The right-hander has won four straight decisions, a streak that began with a 13-strikeout performance against the Orioles on Aug. 25.
Headlines
- Postseason picture: White Sox, Rays clinch playoff spots
- Phillies rookie hits most unlikely home run of MLB's strange season
- Yankees break multiple records with absurd 5 home runs in an inning
- Parkland shooting victim cardboard cutout at games as part of gun violence campaign
- Dodgers become first team to clinch berth in MLB's expanded 2020 playoffs
Yahoo Sports MLB Experts
| AL East | W | L | Pct | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 18 | .654 | 0.0 | |
| 29 | 21 | .580 | 4.0 | |
| 26 | 25 | .510 | 7.5 | |
| 22 | 30 | .423 | 12.0 | |
| 19 | 32 | .373 | 14.5 |
| AL Central | W | L | Pct | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 18 | .647 | 0.0 | |
| 31 | 22 | .585 | 3.0 | |
| 28 | 23 | .549 | 5.0 | |
| 21 | 29 | .420 | 11.5 | |
| 21 | 30 | .412 | 12.0 |
- x
- - Clinched Playoff Spot
- y
- - Clinched Division