MAJOR LEAGUES
Clayton Kershaw tied a career high with his 21st victory and Yasiel Puig homered to highlight a four-run sixth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League (NL) West title with a 9-1 victory over the second-place San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.
Fittingly, the Dodgers claimed their second straight division title behind Kershaw (21-3), the probable NL Cy Young Award winner and MVP candidate who has been the catalyst behind their success this season.
Photo: AFP
He did not pitch lights out — getting called for a balk and wild pitch — and he committed a throwing error in the seventh, but he did a little bit of everything, including hitting and fielding to ensure the Dodgers celebrated in front of their longtime rivals.
CUBS 3, CARDINALS 1
In Chicago, Jake Arrieta struck out 10, leading the Chicago Cubs over St Louis.
The Cardinals kept their 1.5-game lead over Pittsburgh in the NL Central. The loss assured NL East champion Washington will open a division series at home.
Arrieta (10-5), coming off a one-hit shutout against Cincinnati last week, pitched two-hit ball for seven innings. He also had a two-run triple off John Lackey (3-3).
Hector Rondon got his 27th save.
PIRATES 6, BRAVES 2
In Atlanta, Georgia, Andrew McCutchen homered for Pittsburgh’s only runs, and the Pirates missed a chance to move up in the NL Central race by falling to Atlanta.
The Pirates, who clinched a playoff spot on Tuesday night, stayed 1.5 games behind division-leading St Louis. Pittsburgh lost for only the fourth time in their past 19 games.
Pirates catcher Russell Martin left in the fifth inning with tightness in his left hamstring.
Jeff Locke (7-6) allowed six runs and 13 baserunners — eight hits and five walks — in only four innings.
Julio Teheran (14-13) hit a two-run single as Atlanta ended a five-game losing streak. Craig Kimbrel struck out McCutchen and Travis Snider with two on for his 45th save.
TIGERS 6, WHITE SOX 1
In Detroit, Michigan, Justin Verlander pitched eight impressive innings and the Detroit Tigers clinched a postseason spot, rallying after benches cleared in the sixth inning to beat the White Sox.
The Tigers lead the American League (AL) Central by two games over Kansas City. Detroit was assured of at least a wild-card spot when Seattle lost.
White Sox ace Chris Sale was breezing along with a shutout when he hit Victor Martinez with a pitch in the sixth. The two had words and the benches and bullpens emptied.
Ian Kinsler gave Detroit the lead with an RBI double in the seventh off Javy Guerra (2-4).
Verlander (15-12) allowed a run and seven hits.
INDIANS 6, ROYALS 4
In Cleveland, Ohio, Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer, Michael Brantley got three more hits and the Cleveland Indians stayed in the AL wild-card chase for at least one more day by beating Kansas City.
A loss would have eliminated the Indians, but after blowing a 3-0 lead, they rallied and moved within 3.5 games of Kansas City and Oakland in the wild-card standings. There are four days left in the regular season.
The Royals, who have not made the playoffs since 1985, fell two games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central.
Zach McAllister (4-7) pitched 2-1/3 scoreless innings and Cody Allen worked the ninth for his 23rd save.
The Indians took the lead in the fifth off rookie Brandon Finnegan (0-1).
BLUE JAYS 1, MARINERS 0
In Toronto, Mark Buehrle pitched eight shutout innings to reach 200 innings for the 14th consecutive season and Ryan Goins drove in the only run as the Toronto Blue Jays pushed Seattle closer to playoff elimination.
Buehrle (13-10) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out 10, one shy of his season high. He left to his second standing ovation of the night after Chris Taylor’s leadoff single in the ninth. He finished the season with 202 innings.
Aaron Sanchez came on and picked off pinch-runner James Jones, then got the final two outs for his third save in as many chances. The game was played in a brisk 1 hour, 59 minutes.
The Mariners lost their fifth straight and have dropped nine of 12. Rookie Taijuan Walker (2-3) pitched his first career complete game, giving up four hits.
ANGELS 5, ATHLETICS 4
In Oakland, California, Howie Kendrick doubled and drove in three runs as the AL West champions Los Angeles Angels held off the playoff-hopeful Oakland Athletics.
The A’s and Kansas City are tied for the AL wild-card spot.
Angels star Mike Trout left the game before the top of the fifth with a stomach illness.
Hector Santiago (6-9) worked 5-1/3 innings for his first outing longer than two innings in three starts. Huston Street, the seventh Los Angeles pitcher, finished for his 17th save with the Angels and 41st overall.
A’s starter Jon Lester (16-11) gave up five runs in seven innings. He was winless in three starts against the Angels this year.
In other play, it was:
‧ Brewers 5, Reds 0
‧ Phillies 2, Marlins 1
‧ Red Sox 11, Rays 3
‧ Rangers 5, Astros 1
‧ Padres 4, Rockies 3
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