Twins, Blue Jays, Indians eliminated on second day of MLB postseason

All 16 MLB postseason teams played on an action-packed Wednesday of playoff baseball. Two teams were eliminated and two advanced while the other 12 will play again on Thursday. Here’s a recap of the six early games on Day 2 of the postseason.

Atlanta Braves 1, Cincinnati Reds 0 (F/13)

The Braves and Reds battled for nearly 13 innings before Freddie Freeman’s single broke the game-long tie, giving Atlanta a walk-off victory. Trevor Bauer struck out 12 batters in 7.2 innings before being tabbed with the no-decision while Max Fried was similarly brilliant (seven scoreless innings) on the other side. If this game is a sign of what’s to come on Thursday at noon when these two teams next face off, baseball fans everywhere will want to tune in to the broadcast.

Braves lead series, 1-0
Next game: Oct. 1 at 12:08 p.m. EST

Houston Astros 3, Minnesota Twins 1

The Astros were the first of two teams to advance to the ALDS on Wednesday. The reigning American League champions eliminated the Twins, who have now lost a horrific 18 straight postseason games. Jose Urquidy allowed one run over 4.1 innings before the bullpen took over and was lights-out, allowing no runs on just one hit over 4.2 frames. A solo shot from Carlos Correa and two separate RBI singles from Kyle Tucker accounted for the Astros’ scoring while a Nelson Cruz double gave Minnesota their lone run.

Astros win series, 2-0
Next game: HOU plays in ALDS on Oct. 5 vs. OAK/CHI

Miami Marlins 5, Chicago Cubs 1

It was unclear just how successful the Marlins could truly be going up against the big boys in the postseason. While the situation is still quite murky considering only one game has been played, the fact that the Marlins not only held their own but actually picked up a commanding 1-0 series lead is quite promising for the team that has never lost a playoff series. Sandy Alcantara went the distance, allowing just one run (an Ian Happ home run) on three hits in six innings. Meanwhile, Kyle Hendricks threw six shutout innings before being pulled after allowing a three-run home run to Corey Dickerson in the seventh. Miami would add two more runs that inning as Jesus Aguilar’s two-run blast off of Jeremy Jeffress provided excess insurance en route to the eventual victory.

Marlins lead series, 1-0
Next game: Oct. 1 at 2:08 p.m. EST

Oakland Athletics 5, Chicago White Sox 3

After falling behind on Tuesday, the Athletics rebounded and defeated the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon, evening the series at one apiece. Chris Bassitt went the distance for Oakland, allowing no runs (one earned) over seven innings. Liam Hendriks struggled in the loss, inheriting one unearned run from Bassitt which scored on an ensuing Yasmani Grandal home run. Grandal wound up being responsible for all three Chicago runs in the loss with his two-run home run and RBI walk. On the mound for Chicago was Dallas Keuchel, who struggled to the tune of five runs over 3.1 innings. The intriguing series finale is due up on Thursday afternoon.

Series is tied, 1-1
Next game: Oct. 1 at 3:08 p.m. EST

Tampa Bay Rays 8, Toronto Blue Jays 2

The Rays shut down the Jays yet again, winning the series and advancing to the ALDS. Tyler Glasnow threw a solid game, allowing two runs over six innings before turning the game over to the bullpen, which combined for three scoreless frames. Toronto’s two runs came on a pair of solo shots from Danny Jansen. On the other side, Hyun-Jin Ryu struggled severely, allowing seven runs in just 1.2 innings. He was also responsible for the eight and final Rays run, which scored when Ross Stripling was on the mound. The chunk of the damage came on a Hunter Renfroe grand slam, though Mike Zunino also hit a solo shot while Manuel Margot and Randy Arozarena also added one RBI each.

Rays win series, 2-0
Next game: TB plays in ALDS on Oct. 5 vs. NYY

St. Louis Cardinals 7, San Diego Padres 4

One of baseball’s most exciting teams saw its postseason outlook decrease immensely on Wednesday. The Cardinals tagged Chris Paddack for six runs over the first 2.1 innings. He was followed by a strong bullpen showing, but it was too little, too late. San Diego added four runs (three off of Kwang Hyun Kim and one off of Ryan Helsley) but still fell short to St. Louis, which added its seventh and final run to the scoreboard in the ninth on a Dexter Fowler RBI single. Dylan Carlson, Paul DeJong, and Fowler had multi-hit showings in the win while Paul Goldschmidt (home run) and Matt Carpenter (double) each added two RBI in the win. Thursday will be a critical game for the Padres, who are nowhere near ready to see their fascinating season come to an abrupt and early cessation.

Cardinals lead series, 1-0
Next game: Oct. 1 at 7:08 p.m. EST

New York Yankees 10, Cleveland Indians 9

The Yankees’ hot bats were on display yet again as they came from behind to eliminate the Indians. Masahiro Tanaka allowed six runs to the Indians through just four innings while Cleveland’s Carlos Carrasco surrendered four runs in three innings. New York eventually took an 8-6 lead in the sixth inning, but Cleveland added two in the seventh to tie the game. An eight-inning single from Cesar Hernandez re-gained the lead for Cleveland, but Brad Hand struggled in relief, allowing a Gary Sanchez sacrifice fly and DJ LeMahieu single in the ninth. Aroldis Chapman returned to the mound in the ninth inning and shut down the Indians, securing the one-run victory for New York. Gio Urshela impressed at the plate with two hits and four RBI, including a two-run shot. Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton also homered in the effort.

Yankees win series, 2-0
Next game: NYY plays in ALDS on Oct. 5 vs. TB

Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Milwaukee Brewers 2

The Dodgers and Brewers played Wednesday’s final game. Brent Suter took the mound for Milwaukee and struggled early on, surrendering a pair of RBI walks in the first. Suter exited in the second after a Mookie Betts double gave Milwaukee the 3-0 lead. On the other side, Walker Buehler looked impressive for Los Angeles. While he did allow a two-run homer in the fourth, he surrendered just the two runs and three hits while striking out eight batters over four innings. Julio Urias, Blake Treinen, and Kenley Jansen combined for a shutout the rest of the way, allowing just four hits while striking out seven over five innings. Los Angeles’ fourth and final run came off the bat of Corey Seager, who homered while Freddy Peralta was pitching in the eighth inning of what was a close battle.

Dodgers lead series, 1-0
Next game: Oct. 1 at 10:08 p.m. EST