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The 2,632 consecutive games played by Cal Ripken Jr. is one of those records unlikely to ever be broken. Believe it or not, 600 games in a row is a pretty impressive accomplishment. That is the mark Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson reached by playing Saturday. Olson’s streak began on May 2, 2021. Olson is just the eighth player in the divisional era (since 1969) to play that many consecutive games. By this time next year, Olson could have the fourth-longest streak since 1969 (Pete Rose, 745).
Today’s Headlines
Mets Make It Nine Straight, But Lose McNeil
Winning streaks are great at any time of the season. But they take on a life of their own when they happen in September. And when they take a possibly lost season to a playoff position? That is where the New York Mets find themselves this September. Harrison Bader sparked a four-run sixth inning with a leadoff homer and left-hander Jose Quintana pitched 6.2 scoreless innings for his 100th career victory as the Mets won their ninth straight with a 4-0 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds.
While they are seven games behind the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets are now in sole possession of the third and final NL Wild Card berth following Atlanta’s 9-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Before the streak, the Mets were four games behind Atlanta. Now they are one up with 20 regular-season games remaining. But the news was not all good for the Mets. Before the game, it was announced that second baseman Jeff McNeil would miss the rest of the regular season with a fractured right wrist. He was hit by a pitch in Friday’s game.
Bader 💣 pic.twitter.com/RpyzanWxJw
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 7, 2024
José Quintana's 2Ks in the 6th. pic.twitter.com/ObRmhHNLUK
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 7, 2024
Royals Rally In Eighth, Upend Twins
You never know how a young team, especially one in its first postseason push in years after experiencing 106 losses in 2023, will react to adversity. But if this is any indication, the Kansas City Royals could have plenty of magic in store for the rest of 2024. After being held to one hit over seven innings by Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober, the Royals came alive for four runs, including a go-ahead single by Bobby Witt Jr., for a 4-2 victory. Both teams are in the AL Wild Card picture, with the Royals at No. 2, 1.5Â games over the Twins. Minnesota is four games ahead of the Boston Red Sox.
Fire us up, KC! pic.twitter.com/mAhKDi24mL
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 8, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Siri Steals One From Gunnar
From the moment he hit it, Baltimore Orioles star Gunnar Henderson went into home run mode, starting to strut toward first base. But Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jose Siri had other ideas on the fourth-inning shot. Siri reached over the wall in right-center field to steal a home run from Henderson, who has 36 long balls this season. It was a big play as the Orioles trailed 2-0 at the time and there were two runners on. The Rays turned that momentum-changing play into a 7-1 victory.
Jose Siri elevates to rob Gunnar Henderson of a home run! 😱 pic.twitter.com/B8j2OaNFUF
— MLB (@MLB) September 7, 2024
Reactions Galore
It stinks to give up a late-inning homer that ties the game. Usually, pitchers don’t show too much emotion when they do get taken deep. But when Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki coughed up a no-doubt two-run shot to Andrés Chaparro of the Washington Nationals in the top of the seventh inning, Borucki was pretty animated immediately, falling to his knees in exasperation, and also as Chapparo crossed home plate, spiking the rosin bag. Chapparo, for his part, did have a nice bat slam.
JUST FELL TO MY KNEES IN A PNC PARK pic.twitter.com/m4BBgrjSeC
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 8, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
âš¾ New York Yankees right-handed starter Clarke Schmidt (strained right lat) and right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (strained right lat) were activated from the 60-day injured list. Clarke started Saturday vs. the Chicago Cubs. Right-handed relievers Phil Bickford and Nick Burdi were designated for assignment.
âš¾ Second baseman Cavan Biggio is on the move again as the San Francisco Giants shipped him to Atlanta for cash considerations. Biggio was not on the Giants’ 40-man roster, which allowed him to be traded. Atlanta will mark the fourth franchise this season for Biggio, who started the year with the Toronto Blue Jays before being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 12, released by the Dodgers on August 8, and signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Aug. 23. The move comes as Atlanta second baseman Whit Merrifield has a fractured foot, but is expected to play, perhaps as soon as next weekend. Biggio is not eligible for the postseason.
âš¾ Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (fractured left shoulder) came off the 60-day IL.
âš¾ Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández (left ankle) is likely to avoid the IL and could return to the lineup as soon as Monday vs. the Chicago Cubs. He left Friday’s game vs. the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning after being hit by a pitch.
âš¾ Toronto Blue Jays right-handed closer Jordan Romano (right elbow surgery) will not return this season.
âš¾ St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation) will start Wednesday against the Reds.
Articles You Should Read
Stearns’ May moves have saved Mets’ season — Joel Sherman, New York Post
‘It feels like a college dugout’: New Guardians catching team’s vibes — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
‘It’s going to suck’: Players, agents wrap head around playing in Sacramento — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
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