Top Teams Stumble

Both Colorado and Houston stumbled Friday as they faced Western opponents. Arizona broke Houston’s 3 game win streak and their own 2 game losing streak on Jon Jay’s pinch-hit RBI triple in the 8th inning.

The win allows the D-Backs to pick up ground on Colorado who lost to the Giants 2–0. San Francisico’s Chris Stratton shutout the Rockies on 2 hits and 7 strike outs. His strong performance broke the Giants out of the 11 game losing streak. Right now, this type of pitching is exactly what the Giants need to win since they’re not scoring many runs these days.

Next up in the NL, the Dodgers continued their drive for the playoffs as they shutout St. Louis on 2 hits. Walker Buehler threw 8 innings in the win and Yasiel Puig went 3 for 4 with 2 home runs to power Los Angeles to a 3–0 victory to move them up in both the wildcard and in the division.

The current NL West standings are…
Colorado 81–66
Los Angeles 81–67, 1/2 games back, tied with St. Louis for the 2nd wildcard spot
Arizona 78–70, 3.5 games back

2nd Place Gets Closer

In the other interleague game in the West, Texas’ Jurickson Profar had a nice night going 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs against the Padres. He drove the offense while 4 pitchers held San Diego scoreless on 5 hits.

Seattle is keeping their hopes alive by taking the 2nd game of their series with the Angels 5–0.

And in Tampa Bay, Khris Davis hit his major league leading 42nd home run in the 10th inning to drive the Athletics to beat Tampa Bay 2 to 1.

The current AL West standings are…
Houston 92–55
Oakland 90–58, 2.5 games back, 1.5 games behind New York for the 1st wildcard spot
Seattle 81–66, 11 games back, 8.5 games behind Oakland for the 2nd wildcard spot

Pitcher of the Day: Chris Stratton, SF – 9 INN, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 7 K, 1st career shutout
Player of the Day: Yasiel Puig, LAD – 3–4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Sports – West Coast Baseball – Top Teams Stumble