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Braves nose ahead in wildcard race
Source: Agencies |
September 29, 2010, Wednesday
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THE Atlanta Braves reignited their push for the playoffs with an 11-inning 2-1 win over the Florida Marlins on Monday to edge ahead of the San Diego Padres in the National League wildcard race.
Omar Infante delivered the game-winning RBI single against reliever Jose Veras in the 11th to give the Braves a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres (87-69), who fell 0-1 to the Chicago Cubs.
Earlier on Monday, the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East to relegate Atlanta to the wildcard chase.
"It was just an all-around great game tonight," Braves catcher Brian McCann told reporters. "Our pitching staff did what they've done all season long - they stepped up and pitched awesome."
Atlanta (88-69) had lost five of its last six games but starter Tommy Hanson helped his team get back on track by tossing more than seven innings for just one run.
Hanson surrendered an RBI double to Brad Davis in the eighth inning to allow the Marlins to tie the game 1-1 after McCann gave the Braves an early lead with a home run in the fourth.
The Braves used four relievers to close out the contest, including Mike Dunn who was credited with the win after recording the final out.
Atlanta's remaining five games are all at home where it holds a Major League-best 53-23 record, raising its hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2005.
Florida (77-79), long out of the playoff race, got a strong start from rookie Alex Sanabia, who conceded a solitary run over seven innings.
But in the decisive 11th, Veras issued two walks and threw a wild pitch before Infante delivered the two-out hit.
Atlanta may have to do without Martin Prado in its push for the playoffs, the third baseman injuring his hip while swinging in the fifth inning. "Prado is definitely going to be out a while," said Braves manager Bobby Cox. "We'll see how it is."
Sealing honor
In Washington, Philadelphia is the NL East champion for the fourth consecutive year, sealing the honor with a 8-0 win over Washington.
Fittingly, the clinching victory came from a Roy Halladay (21-10) shutout - his fourth of the season and ninth complete game, both of which are highs in the majors this season.
He will head to the playoffs for the first time in his 13th major league season, having played his entire career with Toronto before switching teams for this season.
Also, it was: Dodgers 3, Rockies 1; Cubs 1, Padres 0; and Cardinals 6, Pirates 4.
In the American League, Vernon Wells hit a three-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays hung on for a 7-5 win over New York that delayed the Yankees clinching a playoff spot.
New York has lost five of six and remains half a game behind Tampa Bay in the AL East division race with five games to play. John Buck added a solo shot for Toronto, which assured itself of at least a .500 finish.
In other action, it was: Red Sox 6, White Sox 1; Royals 10, Twins 8; Orioles 4, Rays 0; Angels 6, Athletics 5; Mariners 7, Rangers 5; and Indians 6, Tigers 3.
Omar Infante delivered the game-winning RBI single against reliever Jose Veras in the 11th to give the Braves a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres (87-69), who fell 0-1 to the Chicago Cubs.
Earlier on Monday, the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East to relegate Atlanta to the wildcard chase.
"It was just an all-around great game tonight," Braves catcher Brian McCann told reporters. "Our pitching staff did what they've done all season long - they stepped up and pitched awesome."
Atlanta (88-69) had lost five of its last six games but starter Tommy Hanson helped his team get back on track by tossing more than seven innings for just one run.
Hanson surrendered an RBI double to Brad Davis in the eighth inning to allow the Marlins to tie the game 1-1 after McCann gave the Braves an early lead with a home run in the fourth.
The Braves used four relievers to close out the contest, including Mike Dunn who was credited with the win after recording the final out.
Atlanta's remaining five games are all at home where it holds a Major League-best 53-23 record, raising its hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2005.
Florida (77-79), long out of the playoff race, got a strong start from rookie Alex Sanabia, who conceded a solitary run over seven innings.
But in the decisive 11th, Veras issued two walks and threw a wild pitch before Infante delivered the two-out hit.
Atlanta may have to do without Martin Prado in its push for the playoffs, the third baseman injuring his hip while swinging in the fifth inning. "Prado is definitely going to be out a while," said Braves manager Bobby Cox. "We'll see how it is."
Sealing honor
In Washington, Philadelphia is the NL East champion for the fourth consecutive year, sealing the honor with a 8-0 win over Washington.
Fittingly, the clinching victory came from a Roy Halladay (21-10) shutout - his fourth of the season and ninth complete game, both of which are highs in the majors this season.
He will head to the playoffs for the first time in his 13th major league season, having played his entire career with Toronto before switching teams for this season.
Also, it was: Dodgers 3, Rockies 1; Cubs 1, Padres 0; and Cardinals 6, Pirates 4.
In the American League, Vernon Wells hit a three-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays hung on for a 7-5 win over New York that delayed the Yankees clinching a playoff spot.
New York has lost five of six and remains half a game behind Tampa Bay in the AL East division race with five games to play. John Buck added a solo shot for Toronto, which assured itself of at least a .500 finish.
In other action, it was: Red Sox 6, White Sox 1; Royals 10, Twins 8; Orioles 4, Rays 0; Angels 6, Athletics 5; Mariners 7, Rangers 5; and Indians 6, Tigers 3.
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