September 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Enrique Hernández (8) is out at second base when San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) throws a ball to first base to eliminate Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (11) in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. The sequence was part of a triple play. Mandatory photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Jake Cronenworth hit a two-run home run and helped end the game with an around-the-horn triple play as the San Diego Padres clinched a spot in the National League playoffs with a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.
Cronenworth had two hits and three RBIs as the Padres secured their eighth playoff appearance all-time and third since 2020. San Diego is two games behind Los Angeles in the race for the NL West title with two games remaining in the series and five in the season.
San Diego starter Michael King (13-9) allowed just one unearned run on three hits in five innings, and Suarez finished with his 35th save as the Padres improved their record against the Dodgers to 8-3 this year.
Shohei Ohtani scored a double, a walk and a run for the Dodgers, whose magic number for the eleventh division title in twelve seasons remains four points. Los Angeles secured a playoff spot on Friday. Rookie right-hander Landon Knack (3-5) allowed four runs on five hits in four innings.
Astros 4, Mariners 3
Jason Heyward scored the lead with a two-run homer in the fifth inning and Houston secured its fourth consecutive American League West title with a victory over visitors Seattle.
Josh Hader earned a four-out save for Houston, which won its seventh division championship in the last eight years. Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker also hit home runs for the Astros, who got 5 2/3 innings of three-run work from Framber Valdez (15-7).
Mariners starter Logan Gilbert (8-12) conceded four runs on five hits in six innings, including three home runs.
Orioles 5, Yankees 3
Anthony Santander, Ramon Urias and Colton Cowser hit home runs and Baltimore and their guests defended their victory over New York, which failed to secure the title in the American League East.
Shortly after, the Orioles secured their second consecutive postseason berth when the Minnesota Twins lost to the Miami Marlins. The Orioles have a four-game lead on the AL’s top wild card with five games remaining.
Aaron Judge hit his 56th home run to lead the Major Leagues, but the Yankees’ magic number that could secure them the Division II title in three seasons remained at one.
Guardian 6, Red 1
Tanner Bibee allowed just one run in seven strong innings, Kyle Manzardo hit a solo home run and Lane Thomas contributed a two-run shot as Cleveland secured a bye in the first round of the playoffs with a win over visiting Cincinnati.
Thomas totaled three RBIs and Josh Naylor had two hits and two RBIs for the American League Central champion Guardians.
Spencer Steer had an RBI single for the Reds in their first game since manager David Bell was fired toward the end of his sixth season with the club.
Braves 5, Mets 1
Michael Harris II had three hits and two RBIs to back up right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach and help host Atlanta defeat New York in the opener of a three-game series.
With the win, the Braves moved within one game of the Mets in the race for the second wild card spot in the National League, and within half a game of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the race for the last wild card spot in the NL.
Schwellenbach (8-7) conceded one run on three hits in seven innings. New York starter Luis Severino (11-7) lasted just four innings and conceded four runs on seven hits.
White Sox 3, Angels 2
Andrew Benintendi capped the three-run eighth inning with a game-winning single as host Chicago narrowly defeated Los Angeles and ended a five-game losing streak.
Chicago was tied for seven innings by Angels rookie Jack Kochanowicz, but then fought back to tie the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in a single season in modern major league history. It was Chicago’s first win that year when they trailed after seven innings.
Kochanowicz limited the White Sox to three singles and no runs. Angels second baseman Jack Lopez hit his first major league home run.
Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 5 (10 innings)
Trevor Story’s RBI double broke a 3-3 tie and started a three-run 10th inning, and visiting Boston beat Toronto.
Vaughn Grissom had three hits for the Red Sox, including an RBI single in the 10th. Chris Martin (3-1) got the win and Chase Shugart got the final two outs for his first major league save.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run double and Davis Schneider scored twice for the Blue Jays. Bowden Francis allowed three hits in five scoreless innings.
Giants 11, Diamondbacks 0
Michael Conforto and Brett Wisely hit three-run home runs and San Francisco scored 10 runs with five home runs in its devastating defeat of Arizona in Phoenix.
Tyler Fitzgerald hit a two-run homer and Patrick Bailey and Heliot Ramos had solo hits as San Francisco won its fifth straight game. Logan Webb (13-10) allowed four hits and a walk in six innings for the Giants.
Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. each had two hits for Arizona, which lost its third straight game. Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt (10-10) hit two home runs and lasted just 2 2/3 innings.
Marlins 4, Twins 1
Xavier Edwards went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and Miami beat Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Jonah Bride finished the game 3-for-5 with a solo home run for the Marlins, who won the first game of a three-game series. Nick Fortes was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Royce Lewis scored the only run for Minnesota. The Twins have lost three straight games and five of their last six, leaving them two games behind the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals for the American League’s final two wild-card spots.
A’s 5, Rangers 4
Jacob Wilson hit Zack Gelof home with a single from second base in the ninth inning as Oakland opened its three-game farewell party with a win over defending champion Texas.
After closer Mason Miller (2-2) got out of a tough situation in the first and third innings and secured the tie in the top of the inning, Gelof opened the bottom of the ninth inning with a single against Josh Sborz (2-2).
Gelof stole second base when Seth Brown struck out before Wilson slammed Sborz’s next pitch into center field, completing the walk-off victory.
Brewers 7, Pirates 2
Joey Ortiz scored three runs to help visiting Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh in the opening game of a three-game series.
Willy Adames had two hits, two runs and an RBI, Jackson Chourio contributed two hits and a run and Sal Frelick added two RBIs for the Brewers, who have now won two games in a row after a three-game losing streak.
Pirates starter Bailey Falter (8-9) allowed four runs and five hits in five innings. Jared Triolo had three hits and an RBI and Joey Bart had two hits and a run for Pittsburgh, which lost three of four games.
Tiger 2, Rays 1
Tarik Skubal threw seven scoreless innings, Wenceel Perez had a two-run double and Detroit narrowly defeated Tampa Bay.
Skubal (18-4) limited the Rays to two hits and a walk and struck out seven players. Beau Brieske pitched the final two innings, earning his first save for the Tigers, who have won seven of their last eight games.
Rays starter Ryan Pepiot (8-7) allowed two runs and three hits in five innings. Tampa Bay relief pitcher Mason Montgomery struck out all six batters he faced.
Royals 1, Nationals 0 (10 innings)
Five Kansas City pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout and the Royals scored an unearned run to beat Washington in 10 innings, ending a seven-game losing streak.
A throwing error by Nationals shortstop Nasim Nunez brought the only run of the game. Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits for the Royals.
Angel Zerpa (2-0) pitched an inning for the win and Lucas Erceg threw a perfect inning for his 12th save. Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan (3-7) had to accept the loss.
Cubs 10, Phillies 4
Cody Bellinger scored four runs and Seiya Suzuki added two as Chicago easily defeated Philadelphia.
Nico Hoerner and Bellinger each had three hits for the Cubs, while Dansby Swanson, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Miguel Amaya and Suzuki each had two hits. The Cubs beat the Phillies 15-7.
One night after clinching the National League East title with a 6-2 victory over the Cubs, the Phillies watched their first three pitchers struggle, with Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber hitting home runs in a hitless game.
Cardinals 7, Rockies 3
Masyn Winn hit a two-run home run and a double in St. Louis’ four-run eighth inning to lead the Cardinals to a victory over Colorado in Denver.
Lars Nootbaar managed three walks and scored two runs, and Andrew Kittredge (5-5) threw a scoreless inning as a relief pitcher for the Cardinals, who earned their third consecutive win.
Aaron Schunk hit a home run and a single, while Charlie Blackmon hit a triple and a double for Colorado, as the Rockies lost for the fourth time in five games.
–Field level media
