CINCINNATI – With a homer, a win and an appearance in the outfield, Michael Lorenzen pulled off a feat last accomplished by The Babe. Cincinnati’s versatile reliever also blocked the Phillies from gaining ground in the playoff chase.
That last part stung the most for Philadelphia.
Lorenzen hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning Wednesday night as the Reds pulled away for an 8-5 victory. He got his first win and first homer of the season. He also finished the game playing center field.
The last player to get a victory, hit a homer and play outfield in the same game was Babe Ruth for the Yankees on June 13, 1921, according to STATS.
“That’s pretty exciting,” said Lorenzen, who has seven career homers. “I’m going to have to look into what Babe Ruth would be making today and sit down with (the front office). It’s one of those funny little baseball stats. I’m definitely honored to be part of that.
“It’s cool to be part of a Babe Ruth stat.”
The Phillies had their three-game winning streak snapped. They also slipped to three games behind the idle Cubs for the final NL wild card. Chicago was to begin a four-game series in Milwaukee on Thursday.
“Right now we’re in the race, and it stings a little bit,” said starter Aaron Nola, who lasted only four innings.
Joey Votto homered and had an RBI double off Nola as Cincinnati surged ahead 5-0, but Philadelphia’s resurgent offense caught up. Logan Morrison and J.T. Realmuto had two-run homers off Trevor Bauer.
Jay Bruce tied it with his third career pinch-hit homer in the seventh off Lorenzen (1-4), rounding the bases to a “BRUUUUCE” chant from the crowd of 13,448. Bruce played more than eight seasons in Cincinnati and has 137 homers at Great American Ball Park, second only to Votto.
Jose Iglesias connected for his first career pinch-hit homer off Jose Alvarez (3-4) in the bottom of the inning to break the tie. Lorenzen homered off Blake Parker in the eighth, then moved to center field with Raisel Iglesias pitching the ninth for his 29th save in 34 chances.
Nola fanned six in four innings, giving him 200 strikeouts for the season.
Yankees 4, Rangers 1
In New York, Aaron Judge hit a go-ahead, two-run homer to keep up his power resurgence, Gleyber Torres added his 34th homer and the Yankees (92-49) topped Texas to move 43 games over .500 for the first time since 2009.
Judge is hitting .317 with eight homers and 12 RBIs in his last 15 games. He connected off Lance Lynn (14-10) in the third inning to become the fifth Yankees player with 20 homers this season.
Torres homered in the fourth, tying Gary Sanchez for the team lead and joining Joe DiMaggio as the only Yankees to hit 34 homers at age 22 or younger. The home run was the 200th off the Rangers this season.
Dodgers 7, Rockies 3
In Los Angeles, Joc Pederson smacked a leadoff homer and a two-run shot to give the Dodgers the National League record with 250 long balls this season as they beat Colorado to complete a three-game sweep.
Los Angeles surpassed the previous NL homer mark of 249 set by Houston in 2000.
Athletics 4, Angels 0
In Oakland, Sean Murphy homered for his first hit in his major league debut, Marcus Semien added a two-run shot two batters later and the hosts blanked Los Angeles.
Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was hitless in three at-bats, striking out three times.
Giants 9, Cardinals 8
In St. Louis, Kevin Pillar had four hits, including a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth, to lead San Francisco past the Cardinals.
In Other Games
Indians 8, White Sox 6
Mets 8, Nationals 4
Royals 5, Tigers 4
Pirates 6, Marlins 5
Diamondbacks 4, Padres 1
Red Sox 6, Twins 2
Source : Baseball – The Japan Times