Saturday, September 30, 2006
9/29/06 recap
American LeagueThe AL Central will remain tied for at least another day, as both the Tigers and the Twins lost. The Tigers got a decent start from Wilfredo Ledezma, but their bullpen was unable to hang on. The Royals scored one run in each the 7th, 8th, and 9th to tie the game, and then scored 4 runs on 3 homers against Jamie Walker in the 10th to take the lead for the first time in the game. Carlos Guillen singled home two runs in the Tigers half of the inning, but it was not enough.
The Twins were very close to taking the lead in the Central, scoring 2 runs in a 9th inning rally, but were held off by Bobby Jenks and lost, 4-3. Jenks walked 2 and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, but saved his 41st game of the season with a strike out of Phil Nevin. Freddy Garcia pitched another great game, so, ignoring his last start where he allowed 4 runs, he has pitched 23.1 Innings and allowed 1 run on just 7 hits. His ERA has been lowered from 5.10 to 4.53 in just under a month.
National League
The Cardinals have finally got some space between them and the Astros, as they got revenge against the Brewers and the Astros lost their first game in 10 days. The Cardinals are not in the playoffs yet, however. Possible scenarios for the Astros to win the division include:
Cardinals go 0-2, Astros go 2-0
Cardinals go 1-1, Astros go 2-0, Cardinals lose makeup game on Monday
Cardinals go 0-2, Astros go 1-1, Cardinals lose makeup game on Monday
The Phillies defeated the Marlins 14-2, with 4 runs, including the 3rd inning go-ahead, coming on 2 home runs by Pat Burrell. Burrell was left just a triple shy of the cycle. Shane Victorino may have had the best offensive day for the Phillies, though, going 5 for 6 with 3 runs, 3 RBI, 2 doubles, and was just a home run away from the cycle. The offense was backed up by a great game by the pitching staff, which allowed just 2 runs.
The Phillies could only celebrate for a while, though, until the Dodgers came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Giants 4-3. The Dodger win means that the Phillies are now 2 games out with 2 games remaining. All it takes to eliminate the Phillies now is a loss or a Dodger and Padre win.
The Giants led almost all of the game, thanks to an impressive performance by Noah Lowry. The Giants bullpen has not been very trust-worthy, though, and it cost Lowry a win. Mike Stanton put 2 runners on with 1 out in the 9th before allowing a game tying single by pinch-hitter Olmedo Saenz. The decisive run would end up scoring on a wild-pitch soon after.
The NL playoff race has gotten even closer because of a 3-1 loss by the San Diego Padres. Livan Hernandez pitched a great game, and only a run he allowed in the 7th cost him his first scoreless game of the season. Eric Byrnes hit a 3rd inning 2-run homer for the Diamond-Backs for what would end up being the decisive two runs. The Padres loss allowed the Dodgers to tie them for the lead in the NL West.
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