The Minnesota Twins arrived in Detroit for this week's four-game series hoping to make a strong push for the AL Central title. They certainly don't want to leave town after watching the Tigers celebrate the end of that quest. A win over the second-place Twins on Thursday afternoon would give Detroit its first division crown since 1987, but the Tigers will have to beat Minnesota's Scott…
Archive for September, 2009
Nolasco Ks 9 straight, finishes with 16 (AP)
Ricky Nolasco knew he was stacking up strikeouts. He didn't realize he was closing in on a major league record. Nolasco struck out nine straight Atlanta Braves and set a Marlins record with 16 Ks — the most by a major league pitcher in more than two years — during Florida's 5-4 victory Wednesday night.
A-Rod hits 599th HR, Yankees beat Royals (AP)
Joba Chamberlain walked off the mound in the fourth inning, his head down. After another shaky start, his spot on the New York Yankees’ playoff roster could be in jeopardy. Chamberlain lasted just 3 2-3 innings and was booed by fans at Yankee Stadium during the Kansas City Royals’ 4-3 victory Wednesday night, which stopped New York’s seven-game winning streak.
Smoltz hit hard by Reds, Cards lose 6-1 (AP)
John Smoltz had trouble gripping the ball Wednesday night and is hoping he still has a chance at being a postseason starter for the St. Louis Cardinals. Smoltz gave up Laynce Nix's first career grand slam in four shaky innings as the Cardinals lost 6-1 to the Cincinnati Reds. St. Louis has dropped three straight since clinching the NL Central title with a 6-3 win Saturday at Colorado and lost…
Phils clinch third straight East title (AP)
Players doused each other with champagne and beer in the clubhouse and on the field. Fans partied in the stands. Manager Charlie Manuel enjoyed the celebration from his office. The Philadelphia Phillies won another NL East championship. Now they can rest and prepare to defend their World Series title. "I'll celebrate when we get to the big one," Manuel said.
Tigers move closer to AL Central crown (AP)
Magglio Ordonez is supposed to help the Detroit Tigers win titles. Eddie Bonine is a bit of a surprise. Ordonez hit a three-run double, Bonine lasted five innings after a shaky start and the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Wednesday night to move closer to the AL Central title. "You need everyone on your team to step up right now, and that's what happened tonight," Detroit…
Halladay 3-hits Red Sox, Jays win 12-0 (AP)
Roy Halladay keeps showing the Blue Jays what they'll be missing if they trade him. The big name on the market at the non-waiver deadline two months ago, Halladay wrapped up his season — and perhaps his tenure with Toronto — by throwing a three-hitter for his second consecutive shutout in a 12-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.
Rays send Orioles to 13th straight loss (AP)
The Baltimore Orioles are going through their toughest stretch in decades. James Shields carried a shutout into the eighth inning, Ben Zobrist hit a three-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays extended the Orioles' losing streak to 13 games with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday night. Baltimore can tie the second-longest skid in franchise history set in August 1954 with a loss in the series finale against…
Indians fire manager Wedge after 7 years (AP)
Eric Wedge lost his job and kept his uniform. Wedge was fired Wednesday as manager of the Cleveland Indians, who are in the final days of a terrible season that began with high hopes. Despite being told he would not be back next season, Wedge will manage the last six games of his seventh year with Cleveland, which entered Wednesday's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox one game out of…
Marlins prospect wounded in drive-by (AP)
Police in Puerto Rico say a Florida Marlins minor leaguer has been shot several times in a drive-by attack. Police spokeswoman Maria Rivera says 21-year-old shortstop Osvaldo Martinez was wounded while driving Wednesday through the city of Carolina, just east of the Caribbean island's capital, San Juan.
