INSIDER
Dodgers clinch NL's top seed, West title with win over A's
Read full article: Dodgers clinch NL's top seed, West title with win over A'sThe Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a photo after the Dodgers clinched the NL West title with a 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers clinched the NL's top postseason seed and eighth straight division title Tuesday night with a 7-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics. “To fast forward a couple months and be crowned NL West champs is a credit to everyone. Los Angeles came into the day with a magic number of two and got help with the Angels’ 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. ATHLETICS ADVANCEThe A’s have a team text thread they used to celebrate clinching their first AL West title since 2013 during their off day Monday, when the Mariners beat Houston.
Matt Olson’s homer backs Sean Manaea, A’s beat Astros again
Read full article: Matt Olson’s homer backs Sean Manaea, A’s beat Astros againSean Manaea carried a perfect game into the sixth inning en route to winning his fourth straight start, Matt Olson hit a two-run homer and the Oakland Athletics beat the stumbling Houston Astros 3-1 on Thursday. Well-played series.”The division-leading A's (27-15) moved 6 1/2 games ahead of second-place Houston in the AL West. Oakland had four games postponed and is 5-3 since resuming play last Friday against the Padres. Today was disheartening because we hit a lot of balls hard off Manaea," Houston's Josh Reddick said. “It's been very heartbreaking but we have to keep moving forward.”FIVE GAMESThis marked the 15th five-game series in Oakland history.
Murphy hits homer, two-run single, As take 1st from Astros
Read full article: Murphy hits homer, two-run single, As take 1st from AstrosSean Murphy homered and hit a two-run single to help Chris Bassitt snap a three-start winless stretch, and the A's beat the Houston Astros 6-0 on Monday night with both teams missing star players. Weve got some guys down right now, were going to need everybody on our roster. Carlos Correa had two hits for the Astros (21-20) as Houston's losing streak reached five games. We do realize how important this series is, five games in four days, its going to be a grind.Reddick was back in the Astros lineup. Melvin is optimistic he will play this series, perhaps as soon as one of Tuesday's games.
LEADING OFF: Harper gets steamed, Trout reaches milestone
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Harper gets steamed, Trout reaches milestonePhillies second baseman Neil Walker tried to restrain Harper, who then got in Ortizs face and began yelling at the 35-year-old ump -- an apparent violation of Major League Baseballs safety protocols during this pandemic-shortened season. Walker and first base coach Paco Figueroa tried to hold Harper back, and manager Joe Girardi also came out to help usher the star off the field. Harper is just 7 for 47 (.149) in his last 15 games, dropping his batting average from .367 down to .271. Trout leads the majors with 15 home runs and has connected five times in eight games. Hell try to get back in the swing when the Athletics face Garrett Richards (1-2, 4.63 ERA) at the Coliseum.
LEADING OFF: A's back in action after 4 virus postponements
Read full article: LEADING OFF: A's back in action after 4 virus postponementsChicago Cubs' Yu Darvish throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. Oakland returns to the Coliseum as Jess Luzardo (2-1, 3.74 ERA) faces Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres. General manager David Forst said Mengden is asymptomatic and was placed on the 10-day injured list. CHECK HIMThe Astros will see how second Jose Altuves knee is feeling, a day after he made an early exit. Asked if his tribute is going to become a regular thing for the rest of the season, the typically low-key Reynolds provided a typically low-key response.