It's the final Friday of the regular season. Keep it here for all the latest news, notes, and scores.
Friday's scores
Twins 2, White Sox 1, Game 1 (box score)
Cubs 8, Cardinals 4 (box score)
Pirates 8, Reds 4 (box score)
Astros 2, Orioles 1 (box score)
Braves 10, Phillies 2 (box score)
Marlins 8, Mets 1 (box score)
Blue Jays 7, Rays 6 (box score)
Yankees 11, Red Sox 6 (box score)
Brewers 6, Tigers 5 (box score)
Twins 12, White Sox 4, Game 2 (box score)
Rockies 5, Nationals 2 (box score)
Indians 14, Royals 6 (box score)
Angels 8, Athletics 5 (box score)
Padres 3, Diamondbacks 2, 15 innings (box score)
Mariners 12, Rangers 6 (box score)
Dodgers 3, Giants 1 (box score)
Yankees playing AL Wild Card Game at home
With the Yankees' 11-6 win over the Red Sox, they clinched home-field advantage for the American League Wild Card Game against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. Now, New York won't have to worry about flying across the country to play the A's in a win-or-go-home game, and instead now will be able to host a second straight AL Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium.
See you Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/1oPjWsOUfp
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2018
New York also tied the 1997 Seattle Mariners for the all-time single-season home run record (264) in the series opener. Homers from Aaron Hicks, Gary Sanchez and Luke Voit brought the Yankees one shy of tying the record. It was Aaron Judge who hit the 264th blast in the eighth inning, his first home run since returning from the disabled list.
The '97 Mariners have company.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 29, 2018
Aaron Judge's 5th HR vs the Red Sox this season was the @Yankees 264th this year, tying the single-season record for a team.
This is the also Yankees' 16th game with 4+ HR this season.
No other team has more than 11 (Athletics). pic.twitter.com/RBPVIOXIi5
Rockies clinch playoff berth
The Colorado Rockies clinched a playoff berth by beating the Washington Nationals 5-2 on Friday night. Their magic number is down to two for the National League West title. The Rockies will head to the postseason back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history.
Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland (17-7) left the game as the Rockies' leader for best single-season ERA at 2.85 ERA. And outfielder David Dahl homered. Again. Dahl, joined Nolan Arenado, Larry Walker and Dante Bichette as the only Rockies to hit a home run in five consecutive games.
FIVE straight games with homer.@ddahl21 is on 🔥. #SeptemberBaseball pic.twitter.com/pvbTGCLru6
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2018
Dodgers pull closer to playoff spot
Justin Turner hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the fifth inning off of Madison Bumgarner to push the Los Angeles Dodgers closer to securing baseball's final playoff berth by beating the San Francisco Giants 3-1 Friday night.
JT clutch? You already knew this. pic.twitter.com/iRzJtq3EFy
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 29, 2018
The Dodgers remain one game behind National League West-leading Colorado Rockies. Los Angeles also extended their lead to two games over the St. Louis Cardinals for the second NL wild-card spot with two games left to play, so their magic number for clinching a wild card berth over the Cards is one.
Brewers win, keep pace with Cubs
Ryan Braun hit two home runs in Friday night's game including a go-ahead solo shot in the eighth inning that bounced off right fielder Nicholas Castellanos' glove and over the fence, and the Milwaukee Brewers' inched past the Detroit Tigers 6-5 to stay one game back of Chicago in the National League Central.
Christian Yelich, the Brewers' MVP candidate, hit a two-run homer in the first inning after reuniting with his brother, Cameron who was recently honorably discharged from the Marines. The Yelich brothers teamed up for the ceremonial first pitch at Miller Park. It was the first time Cameron had seen his big brother play at Miller Park for the Brewers.
Cameron Yelich, @ChristianYelich’s youngest brother, was recently honorably discharged from the @USMC and is attending his first @MLB game since 2016.
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 29, 2018
Tonight, the brothers teamed up for a special ceremonial first pitch. pic.twitter.com/PsQKb3J2wF
Already assured a playoff spot, the second-place Brewers (93-67) are running out of time to catch the Cubs as Chicago won as well on Friday. Milwaukee has won five straight and they need the Cubs to lose at least once over the next two days to win the NL Central.
Hendricks guides Cubs to win
The Cubs and Cardinals began a big series for both sides on Friday afternoon, with Kyle Hendricks coming up big for Chicago.
Kyle Hendricks last 8 starts:
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) September 28, 2018
1.66 ERA, 54.1 IP, 43 Hits, 8 BB, 38 K, 2 HR, 0.939 WHIP #Cubs
Though Hendricks struck out just two batters in eight innings while walking two, he limited the Cardinals to two runs on seven hits and a lot of weak contact. The Cubs offense, meanwhile, did its job. Kris Bryant hit his 13th homer of the season, while Albert Almora Jr. and Anthony Rizzo each drove in two runs of their own.
Quick hits
- Here's our latest look at the playoff picture.
- What went wrong for the Twins in 2018?
- Kris Bryant and Alex Bregman helped make it a special day for a 12-year-old.
- Remember what happened on this date in 2011?