Sunday has all of the potential to be a day where multiple divisions get wrapped up. The Braves can clinch the NL East with one win by them or one loss by the Nationals – and Washington has a doubleheader with Miami. The A's can clinch the AL West with one win by them or one loss by the Rangers – and Oakland is playing the Twins, who they've outscored 57-16 while winning five out of six games against them this month. It could be a fun day…or it could be one that simply heightens the tension.
PIC OF THE DAY
Not even close, SHANF (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)
Game of the Night: Tigers 7, White Sox 6 (12 innings). Chicago had a 6-0 lead heading to the ninth, and the bullpen screwed Chris Sale out of a win once again. Nate Jones started the ninth, and immediately allowed a triple to Torii Hunter, a Miguel Cabrera RBI single, a Prince Fielder single, a Victor Martinez RBI double, and then, a three-run homer to Andy Dirks that made it a 6-5 game before the first out of the final frame was recorded. Addison Reed relieved him and promptly walked Omar Infante, Alex Avila, and Austin Jackson with a sac bunt mixed in there as well. Hunter brought Infante home with a sac fly to tie the game at six before Reed walked Cabrera and was relieved by Donnie Veal, who mercifully got out of the inning and sent the game to extras. After a non-descript tenth, each team got a runner in scoring position with one out, but couldn't score. In the bottom of the 12th, Jake Petricka walked Don Kelly, walked Martinez, walked Dirks, and then ended the game after giving up an infield single to Infante. Oh.
Pitching Lines of the Night: Ivan Nova threw a complete game shutout for the Yankees in their 6-0 win over the Giants, allowing six hits, walking one, and striking out seven. Clayton Kershaw dominated the Dodgers in their 4-0 win over the Padres, giving up three hits over seven shutout frames, punching out ten and walking two. In Tampa Bay's 5-1 win over Baltimore, Alex Cobb allowed one run on five hits in 8 1/3 innings, striking out 12 and walking two. Scott Kazmir helped the Indians beat the Astros 4-1, giving up four hits over seven shutout frames, walking one and punching out ten. In that painful White Sox loss to the Tigers, Chris Sale allowed four hits in 7 2/3 innings walking one and striking out seven.
Hitting Lines of the Night: Oakland pounded Minnesota 9-1 thanks to Alberto Callaspo picking up four hits in five at bats, including a homer, along with two runs and three RBI. Yoenis Cespedes also chipped in, going 2/5 with two runs, three RBI, and a homer. Desmond Jennings provided the offense in the Rays' win over the Orioles, going 2/3 with a triple, a homer, two runs, four RBI, and a walk. In the Angels' 6-5 victory over the Mariners, Collin Cowgill went 2/2 with a triple, a solo homer, a walk, a stolen base, and three runs scored. In Houston's loss in Cleveland, Chris Carter went 3/4 with a solo homer.
Other Games: The Cubs beat the Braves 3-1 thanks to three runs in the eighth. The Mets beat the Phillies 5-4 in a rain-shortened seven innings. The Pirates doubled up the Reds 4-2. The Cardinals beat the Brewers 7-2, while the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies by the same score. The Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 4-2 to end Clay Buchholz's perfect season. The Rangers topped the Royals 3-1. Rain postponed the Nationals and Marlins.
What You Missed: A-Rod is the new grand slam king, but should we care? The post-mortem for the Diamondbacks.
Today's Games: Andy Pettitte makes his final career start at Yankee Stadium, against the Giants. Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers host the White Sox. Cliff Lee and the Phillies host the Mets. Jeff Locke and Bronson Arroyo will square off in Pittsburgh. RA Dickey starts for the Blue Jays in Boston against Felix Doubront. Alexi Ogando and James Shields will battle in Kansas City. Julio Teheran starts for the Braves in Chicago against Edwin Jackson. Felix Hernandez and CJ Wilson will duel in Anaheim. Sonny Gray starts for the A's against the Twins. Zack Greinke and Andrew Cashner battle in San Diego. Pat Corbin starts for the Diamondbacks in Colorado. Stephen Strasburg starts game two for the Nationals against the Marlins, while Dan Haren gets the nod in game one.
National TV: Giants-Yankees (1 PM, TBS), Cardinals-Brewers (8 PM, ESPN)
MLB.tv Free Game: Orioles-Rays (1:40 PM)
Pitching Matchup of the Day: Alexi Ogando vs James Shields (Rangers vs Royals, 2 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
