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Stay For A Night Cap! - Divisional titles wrapped up

Diamondbacks 3 Giants  1
WP: David Hernandez (5-3) LP: Matt Cain (12-11) S: J.J. Putz (44)
HR: Orlando Cabrera (1)

The first of three division title clinchers tonight, both Cain (7.1 IP, 5 H 3 ER, 3 BB 6 K) and Joe Saunders ( 7 IP, 9 H, ER, K) pitched solidly, but Paul Goldschmidt's first-career triple couldn't have come at a better time.  With the loss and Atlanta win, San Fran needs a miracle to stay in the wild card.

  • Some Arizona players took a dip in the RCF pool to cool off from their first division title since 2007

Brewers 4 Marlins 1
WP: Francisco Rodriguez (6-2) LP: Clay Hensley (6-7) S: John Axford (44)
HR: Ryan Braun (32), Prince Fielder (35)

Both starting pitcher's had command, walking none, but neither Chris Volstad (7 IP, 6 H, ER, 5 K) nor Yovani Gallardo (7 IP, 7 H, ER, 11 K) factored in the decision. In the end it was Hensley's mis-dealing of Nyjer Morgan that lead to Braun's mammoth three-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning that won the game and eventually, the N.L. Central. Emilio Bonifacio went 3-4 in the loss. Each Corey Hart (R) and Yunieksy Betancourt had two hit nights. K-Rod (0.2 IP, 2 K) looked explosive by the end of the top of the eighth.

  • Milwaukee wins their first division crown since 1982

Cubs 5 Cardinals 1
WP: Jeff Samardzija (8-4)  LP: Kyle McClellan (12-7)
HR: Alfonso Soriano (25)
SB: Tony Campana (23)

Finally the Cubs have done something to celebrate.  Unfortunately for St. Louis fans, it was not only beat the Cardinals tonight, but officially knock them out the race for the N.L. Central division title. Both teams sent out big name pitchers, and once again, neither Ryan Dempster (6 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 BB, 5 K), nor Chris Carpenter (7 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K) had their record changed tonight. It was a three-run shot by Soriano that put the Cubs in front in the top of the eighth for good.

Rangers 5 Mariners 3
WP: Matt Harrison LP: Anthony Vasquez (1-5) S: Neftali Feliz (30)
HR: John Hamilton (25), Adrian Beltre (29), Craig Gentry (1)

When it happened, I assumed it had been 10 years since the last time the Texas Rangers had a player hit an inside the park homerun. Well, cut that in half, as Nelson Cruz (2-4, R) -who scored on Gentry's first career HR- did it a little over five years ago. Still wondering when's the last time an inside the park homer marked a ball player's first career homerun.

  • Texas celebrates consecutive A.L. West division titles for the first time since 1998/99

Athletics 3 Angels 1
WP: Gio Gonzalez (15-12) LP: Jeff Weaver (18-8) S: Andrew Bailey (22)
HR: Jamile Weeks (2), David DeJesus (10), Tori Hunter (22)

With Texas Rangers fans watching on in Arlington, TX, Howie Kendrick harmlessly flied out to rightfield with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth. Not so harmless, when the bottom of the ninth ended and Anaheim couldn't muster a runner on Bailey.

Pirates 4 Reds 3
WP: Joel Hanrahan (1-4) LP: Bill Bray (5-3)
HR: Garrett Jones (16)
SB: Brandon Phillips (13), Drew Stubbs 2 (40)

Both starting pitchers Edison Volquez (5 IP, 6 H,. 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) and Jeff Locke (4.2 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, K) were gone by the sixth inning. Even tho Volquez left behind, it was Bray's (0.1 IP, H, ER) run-allowed that killed the Reds. Hanrahan (IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K) gets the win, despite being less than sharp.

Indians 6 Twins 5
WP: Chris Perez (4-7) LP: Matt Capps (4-7)
HR: Chris Parmelee (3), Jim Thome (15), Lou Marson (2)

While Thome (3-4, R, 3 RBI) and Matt LaPorta (3-4, 2 RBI) had the best nights at the plate, Carlos Santana won the game in the bottom of the ninth in a pinch-hitting plate appearance. Twins former 1st-round pick, 1B Parmelee went 2-5 (R, 3 RBI), has 15 hits in his last 33 official AB's. Both Carl Pavano (6.1 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, BB, 3 K) and Justin Masterson (4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 4 K) had their problems tonight.

Braves 7 Nationals 4
WP: Tim Hudson (16-10)LP: Stephen Strasburg (0-1) S: Craig Kimbrel (46)
HR: Jayson Werth (20)
SB: Michael Bourn 2 (58)

After a rocky first inning, Strasburg settled down.  Fortunately for the Braves, the first-inning was enough to send him home by the fifth and the Braves took full advantage. Dan Uggla (3-4, 2 R) had his first three-hit night, since back-to-back nigthts in the middle of August and Atlanta cuts their Wild Card magic number down to three games.

Tigers 4 Orioles 3
WP: Ryan Perry (1-0) LP: Willie Eyre (2-2)
HR: Miguel Cabrera (27)
SB: Austin Jackson (22)

On the last Friday night recap, Alfredo Simon (8 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K) visited his full potential. Unfortunately, Rick Porcello (7 IP, 9 H, 3 H, BB, 4 K)kept pace with him and the O's wasted a terrific performance by Simon, who looks to be their second or third staff pitcher next season. J.J. Hardy (3-5, 2 R) ended his all season Friday Night Cap! dominance with one last great night. Cabrera (3-5, R, 2 RBI) also had a three-hit night

Blue Jays 5 Rays 1
WP: Brandon Morrow (11-11) LP: David Price (12-13)
HR: Kelly Johnson (3)
SB: Desmond Jennings (19), Mike McCoy (10)

  Trying to hang tough in the A.L. Wild card race, the last thing the Rays needed was a costly hiccup from David Price (6 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 7 K) unfortunately that's what they got. With the Red Sox idle, they find themselves, one game down with five left to play.

Astros 11 Rockies 2
WP: Brett Myers (7-13) LP: Drew Pomeranz (1-1) 
HR: Clint Barmes (12), Chris Nelson (4)

Hoping to flame up the standings in a last ditch effort to meet my innings-pitched allowed total for the season, I went with Pomeranz.  Unfortunately, he was no where near as dominant against the Astros as I planned, and Myers was in complete control.  The Astros take yet another useless late-September MLB game.

Royals 11 White Sox 1
WP: Bruce Chen (12-8) LP: Zach Stewart (2-6)
HR: Eric Hosmer (19), Jeff Francoeur (20), Salvador Perez (3), Alcides Escobar (4),Paul Konerko (31)

-Mike Moustakas went 4-5 with a run scored.
-Bruce Chen (8 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 4 K) was nearly unhittable against a lackluster White Sox ballclub.
-Highly touted Stewart (4 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, K) was shelled tonight

Dodgers 2 Padres 0
WP: Ted Lilly (11-14) LP: Wade LeBlanc (4-6) S: Javy Guerra (20)
HR: Matt Kemp (37)

-Lilly was solid going, 6.1 IP, allowing only four hits, walking two and striking out seven Padres.
-Leblanc (7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 10 K) struck-out 10 Dodgers, and was at the top of his game tonight. Unfortunately, he had no offense

Red Sox Yankees POSTPONED...This game will be played as part of a day-night doubleheader Sunday, with the games scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Phillies Mets POSTPONED...There will be  day-night doubleheader Saturday, with rain is in the forecast as well. Tomorrow's game will be played at 1:10 & 7:10 pm.