What Happened Last Night? August 20th

Tribe starts off the week with a W

The Indians took care of their business last night, coming back from a 5 run first inning deficit to beat the Minnesota Twins in the first of a three game series, 7-5. Buckle up as we take a quick look at the most important results from last night.

Tigers 8, Rays 6

Aug 19, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(37) reatcs as he walks back to the dugout at the end of the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers erased an early 4-0 deficit and defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 8-6 in 11 innings. Max Scherzer got off to a shaky start allowing a 3-run homer to James Loney in the first inning and a tack on run by the Rays in the second before settling in and shutting the Rays down through the seventh inning.  The Tigers came back with three in the sixth inning aided by a James Loney error and an instant replay reversal of a what would have been third out of the inning trap by Desmond Jennings.  The Tigers took a lead in the top of the eight on a J.D. Martinez home run and just needed their bullpen to hold the lead but as has been the case much of the season the lead wouldn’t last. The Rays loaded the bases with one out against Joba Chamberlain in the bottom of the eight but were only able to push one run across to tie the game at 5-5.  The Tigers pushed across 3-runs in the top of the 11th inning and Joe Nathan came in and wobbled but did not break as the Rays rallied for a run and had the go ahead run at the plate. The Tigers keep pace with the Seattle Mariners for the second wild card after the Mariners victory over the Phillies.

Indians impact: Tribe stays 4.5 games behind second place Detroit in the division and wild card (Tigers are tied for 2nd spot).

Mariners 5, Phillies 2

Aug 19, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) pitches during the fourth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Mariners won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners received a dominant performance by Hisashi Iwakuma who went 8 scoreless innings allowing just four hits striking out 11 and walking none as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2. The Mariners jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a Robinson Cano RBI groundout and Logan Morrison RBI single in the first and extended their lead to 3-0 on Kyle Seagers 19th home run of the season leading off the sixth inning.  Mike Zunino delivered a 2-RBI single in the eighth to cap the scoring for the Mariners. The Phillies punched across a pair of runs in the ninth inning against Charlie Furbush and Yoervis Median but Fernando Rodney came in to record the final out and in the process picked up his 36th save of the season.

Indians impact: Picked up a half game in race for 2nd wild card spot with Mariners loss to Philadelphia on Monday.

Astros 7, Yankees 4

Aug 19, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter

(23) hits a three-run home run against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros and New York Yankees had played to a 4-4 tie through the first eight innings. In the top of the ninth inning the Astros mounted a rally against Yankees closer David Robertson and had two on with one out with Chris Carter up in the count three balls and no strikes. Astros manager Bo Porter gave Carter the green light and Carter turned a 90-mph Robertson cut fastball into a 3-run homer en route to a 7-4 Astros win. Chad Qualls came in and retired the Yankees in order picking up his 14th save on the season. 

Indians impact: Gained ground on New York in the wild card standings and now sit a half game behind them.

Brewers 6, Blue Jays 1

The Brewers, coming off a weekend sweep of the Dodgers, stayed hot on Tuesday by beating up on the Blue Jays 6-1. Mike Fiers continued his string of good starts, hurling 7 innings of 2 hit ball while striking out 6. Seven of Milwaukee’s ten hits on the night were doubles. Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ had a rough one, lasting only 3 1/3 innings while surrendering 4 earned runs. With the win, the Brewers sit a comfortable 16 games above .500.

Indians impact: Tribe picks up a game on Toronto and are now tied with them in the wild card standings.