NATIONAL LEAGUE
ROCKIES 10, PHILLIES 1 Jon Gray pitched seven innings and drew a bases-loaded walk as part of a five-run third to help host Colorado rout Philadelphia. Colorado won its fourth consecutive game since being swept in Los Angeles by the NL West-leading Dodgers. Gray (12-8) was moved up a day when scheduled starter Tyler Anderson was scratched due to shoulder tightness. David Dahl lined a two-run home run in the fourth, Tony Wolters drew four walks and Charlie Blackmon had a single to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 16 games. Trevor Story had two hard-hit doubles to center.
PIRATES 5, CUBS 1 Jameson Taillon outpitched Cole Hamels, Francisco Cervelli hit a two-run home run and visiting Pittsburgh made Chicago wait at least another day to clinch a playoff spot. The Cubs needed a win plus a loss by Colorado to Philadelphia to assure a franchise-record fourth consecutive trip to the playoffs, a run that includes a drought-busting World Series championship in 2016. Taillon (14-9) gave up 1 run and 5 hits in 7 innings, improving to 5-0 in his past seven starts. Hamels (4-2) hit his second career home run but he lost his second consecutive start after going 4-0 in his first nine after a trade from Texas.
NATIONALS 7, MARLINS 3 Anthony Rendon hit a home run and drove in four runs, Bryce Harper reached 100 RBI in a season for the first time and host Washington beat Miami. Juan Soto and Matt Wieters also homered for Washington, which broke it open with four runs on three pitches in the fourth inning.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
YANKEES 4, RAYS 1 Aaron Hicks injured his left hamstring running up the first-base line in visiting New York's victory over Tampa Bay. Hicks, who had fouled a pitch off his left ankle just before the double, left Monday's game with left hamstring tightness. New York's victory eliminated the Rays and ensured a postseason berth for Oakland, which is likely to be the wild-card opponent but also is still alive in the AL West race. At 96-60, New York is assured of its best record since going 97-65 in 2011.
RED SOX 6, ORIOLES 2 Host Boston broke a 106-year-old franchise record with its 106th victory, clinching home-field advantage through the postseason thanks to a pair of hits from major league batting leader Mookie Betts. Nathan Eovaldi struck out 10 Baltimore batters to assure the Red Sox of the best record in baseball this season and home-field advantage through the World Series. The 1912 Red Sox won 105 games in their first season at Fenway Park. The Orioles (45-111) became the sixth AL team and the first since the 2003 Tigers to lose 111 games, falling 60½ games behind Boston (106-51) in the division.
ASTROS 5, BLUE JAYS 3 Brian McCann and Josh Reddick hit back-to-back home runs, and visiting Houston beat Toronto to move one step closer to its second consecutive AL West title. Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas Razorbacks) (12-11) allowed three runs in five innings for his first victory since Sept. 3. Five relievers followed before former Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna came on to a chorus of boos in the ninth, his first appearance in Toronto since being arrested for assault in May. Osuna, who earned his 19th save in 20 opportunities, was traded to the Astros on July 30.
INDIANS 4, WHITE SOX 0 Corey Kluber struck out 11 in seven scoreless innings and won his 20th game. Brandon Guyer hit a go-ahead solo home run in the seventh as visiting Cleveland beat Chicago. Kluber (20-7) reached 20 victories for the first time after recording 19 wins last season and 18 victories the two previous seasons and in 2004. The reigning AL Cy Young winner is the first 20-game winner for the Central Division champions since Cliff Lee went 22-3 in 2008.
Sports on 09/25/2018