Yankees hold off Twins in 10; McCann drives in five
Written By Alec Brzezinski
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Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.
Yankees catcher Brian McCann drove in five runs Monday as the Yankees knocked off the Twins 8-7 in 10 innings. McCann hit a three-run home run in the first inning and a two-run single in the third. He finished the night 3 for 5. The Yankees, meanwhile, continued their feast-or-famine hitting.
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The win was huge for the Yankees, who now hold a one-game lead over the new-look Blue Jays in the AL East and may find it tough to keep them at bay with so many aging legs.
The Twins put up a good fight, led by third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who went 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs, but Minnesota ultimately lost the game on a Chase Headley groundout with the bases loaded in the 10th. On the play, Twins shortstop Eduardo Nunez bobbled the ball, then inexplicably threw to first base for the first out of the inning as Brendan Ryan was scoring the winning run.
Here are more highlights from Monday's games:
Impact players
C — Yadier Molina, Cardinals: Molina went 1 for 3 with a massive solo home run and a walk as the Cards escaped with a 2-1 win over the Giants.
1B — Carlos Santana, Indians: Santana went 2 for 5 with a solo home run and two runs scored.
2B — Dee Gordon, Marlins: Gordon continued his fine season with a 2-for-5 effort. He also had two RBIs, scored a run and stole his 37th base of the year.
SS — Asdrubal Cabrera, Rays: Cabrera led the Rays to a win over the Astros. He went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
3B — Adrian Beltre, Rangers: Beltre went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, including a walkoff walk.
OF — Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians: Chisenhall went 2 for 4 with two runs, a home run and three RBIs in an 8-2 win over the Red Sox.
DH — Miguel Sano, Twins: Sano had cooled off a bit after a hot start, but is back in a groove again. He went 3 for 5 with a two-run home run in the loss to the Yankees.
SP— Michael Wacha, Cardinals: Wacha spun seven innings of one-run baseball in a no-decision against the Giants. He struck out six.
Key injuries
Cardinals outfielder Jason Heyward left in the third inning against the Giants with tightness in his left hamstring.
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira exited the game after fouling a pitch off his leg.
Yankees starting pitcher Bryan Mitchell suffered a small nasal fracture he was drilled in the face by a Nunez line drive. He was treated at a New York hospital and released. He will be monitored for concussion symptoms.
Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts flies in from out of nowhere to make this diving grab:
Simply the Betts. http://t.co/ueYOTP2igc #MookieMondays pic.twitter.com/DkxRBchwGP
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) August 18, 2015
Athletics outfielder Billy Burns robs Chris Davis of a home run:
Surprise performers
Good: Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor came into Monday's game with only one hit in his last 17 at-bats, but he fixed that by going 3 for 4 in a win against the Mariners.
Bad: Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole. We thought Cole only struggled against the Reds. Well, on Monday, Pittsburgh's ace gave up nine hits and four earned runs in a 4-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, which dropped him to 14-7 on the season. Cole was trying to become the first pitcher to 15 wins this year.
The Yankees sure know how to get things started:
Yankees have scored MLB-best 99 first-inning runs this season. Next-most is the Royals with 86
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 17, 2015
The Giants have a couple of terrific young players:
Chris Heston & Matt Duffy: on pace to be 1st teammates to lead MLB rookies in wins & hits since 1963. #SFGiants #Cardinals 8 pm ET, @ESPN
— Elias Sports Bureau (@EliasSports) August 17, 2015
The Pirates' offense continues to impress:
Pirates have homered in 11 straight games, longest streak since 1994 13) Pedro Alvarez HR had 151-foot apex, tied for 7th-highest in 2015
Now that's just unlucky:
Chris Davis:robbed of a HR by an over-the-fence catch 4 times this season. Only other MLB player with more than 1: Wilmer Flores (2)
Carlos Beltran makes history:
386th career HR for Carlos Beltran, passing Dwight Evans for 62nd all-time
Chris Archer likes bobblehead night:
.@ChrisArcher42 imitates (bobblehead) art. pic.twitter.com/6PZvmFr5QH
— MLB (@MLB) August 17, 2015
"In that situation I'm trying to do anything to come through, a walk, fly ball, anything," Beltre said, via MLB.com, regarding his walkoff walk. "We are playing with a lot more confidence. We're doing better in our situational hitting, and our pitching has been great. We've got to keep it up."
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Monday that outfielder Randal Grichuk (elbow) could miss 15 to 20 games after an MRI showed Grichuk has a low-grade ligament strain in his right elbow.
Mets third baseman David Wright (back) is nearing the end of his rehab stint and is expected to be activated from the disabled list next week.
Fox Sports reports the Dodgers have discussed a trade involving outfielder Alejandro De Aza with the Red Sox.
Rangers left-hander Derek Holland (shoulder) will come off the disabled list and start for the Rangers on Wednesday.
Indians manager Terry Francona believes second baseman Jason Kipnis (shoulder) will be activated from the disabled list no later than Wednesday.
Giants outfielder Nori Aoki (concussion) will be activated from the disabled list when first eligible on Thursday.
Orioles 4, Athletics 2
Indians 8, Red Sox 2
Rangers 4, Mariners 3
Rays 9, Astros 2
Yankees 8, Twins 7, 10 innings
Angels 2, White Sox 1
Diamondbacks 4, Pirates 1
Cardinals 2, Giants 1
Marlins 6, Brewers 2
Padres 5, Braves 3
A look ahead
Three games to watch Tuesday (all times Eastern):
Mets (63-55) at Orioles (61-56), 7:05 p.m.: Jacob deGrom (11-6, 2.03 ERA) takes on Kevin Gausman (2-4, 4.48 ERA) in a matchup of young pitchers. The Mets, who were swept by the Pirates over the weekend, will need to be wary of Baltimore's hot hitters.
Giants (64-54) at Cardinals (76-42), 8:15 p.m.: The Cardinals held off the Giants on Monday in yet another close win (eight of their last 10 wins have come by three runs or fewer). Mike Leake (9-6, 3.52 ERA) returns from the disabled list Tuesday to face off against Lance Lynn (9-7, 2.95 ERA).
Dodgers (67-51) at Athletics (51-69) 10:05 p.m.: Clayton Kershaw (10-6, 2.39 ERA) will take on the A's and Felix Doubront (1-1, 4.59 ERA) as the Dodgers try to extend their lead in the NL West.