Samwise MLB Newsletter
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Reds Rally Past NL-Best Brewers 5-3 as McLain, De La Cruz Homer in Rain-Delayed Game
The Milwaukee Brewers, owners of the best record in the National League, dropped a 5-3 decision to the last-place Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night. Matt McLain broke a seventh-inning tie with a leadoff homer, and Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson also went deep for Cincinnati. William Contreras homered for the Brewers, who stranded multiple runners in a game delayed more than two hours by rain. Emilio Pagán escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth for his 21st save in 24 chances. Milwaukee (88-55) still holds a seven-game NL Central lead over the second-place Chicago Cubs (81-62).
Spencer Jones Sparks Four-Run Rally as Yankees Top Padres 5-1, Near 34th Straight Winning Season
Spencer Jones hit a two-out RBI double to spark a four-run second-inning rally as the New York Yankees beat the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Saturday. The hit was particularly meaningful for Jones, who was playing against his hometown team in San Diego. Carlos Rodón earned his first win in five starts, holding the Padres to one run and two hits across five innings while striking out seven. The Yankees (81-61) moved within one victory of clinching their 34th consecutive winning season. The Padres fell a half-game behind Arizona for the third NL wild-card spot, tightening the race with just weeks remaining.
Sources: CBS Sports
Moreno Walk-Off Lifts Diamondbacks Past Astros 4-3 in Ten Innings
Gabriel Moreno delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning Saturday night as the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied past the Houston Astros 4-3. The clutch hit capped a late Arizona comeback and moved the Diamondbacks to 75-68, keeping their grip on the third NL wild-card spot one game ahead of the San Diego Padres. The Astros (73-70) hold a slim lead over Texas in the AL West division race. Arizona's win was part of a pivotal September weekend for the NL wild-card picture, with multiple teams separated by mere percentage points as the postseason push intensifies.
Devers Hits Two Home Runs as Giants Rout Mets 9-5, Sets Giants Single-Season Record
Rafael Devers and Christian Koss each hit two home runs as the San Francisco Giants routed the New York Mets 9-5 at Citi Field on Saturday. Devers slugged his 34th and 35th home runs of the season, the most by any Giants player in a single season since Barry Bonds hit 45 in 2004, according to MLB.com. Saturday's multi-homer game was Devers' third of the 2026 season and 23rd of his major-league career. Devers joined San Francisco via a mid-season trade and has been their most productive hitter. The Mets (64-78) dropped their sixth loss in eight games heading into the final month.
Sonny Gray Shuts Out Baltimore Over Seven Innings as Red Sox Win 5-0
Sonny Gray turned in one of his finest outings of the season Saturday, shutting out the Baltimore Orioles across seven innings as the Boston Red Sox won 5-0. Gray scattered three hits and struck out seven, working efficiently through a Baltimore lineup that managed little offense. Boston hitters Kiner-Falefa, White and Wong combined to drive in all five Red Sox runs. The victory keeps Boston (78-65) squarely in AL playoff position, 7.5 games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays (85-57) but holding a Wild Card berth. Baltimore fell to 69-74, 16.5 games back in the AL East standings.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Cubs Survive Miami Scare for 6-5 Win Behind Happ, Crow-Armstrong
The Chicago Cubs survived a Miami scare Saturday, holding on for a 6-5 victory over the Marlins. Pete Crow-Armstrong singled, walked and drove in a run, while Ian Happ added two hits and two RBI for Chicago. Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine hit home runs for Miami, keeping the game within reach late. Ryan Zeferjahn pitched the final 1⅓ innings for his fifth save of the season. The Cubs (81-62) sit seven games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers (88-55) in the NL Central but maintain a comfortable Wild Card position with less than 25 games remaining.
Sources: CBS Sports
Kikuchi Earns First Win After Long Injury Absence as Angels Beat Pirates 6-1
Yusei Kikuchi pitched six shutout innings and earned his first win of the season Saturday as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1. Kikuchi (1-5) had missed the majority of the year with left shoulder inflammation before returning August 23, and allowed five hits and three walks while striking out six. Mike Trout delivered an RBI single through the left side in the seventh inning, and Wade Meckler drove in two more with a double to right-center as the Angels added three insurance runs. Bryan Reynolds hit a solo home run in the eighth, the Pirates' lone run of the night.
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay | 85 | 57 | — |
| NY Yankees | 81 | 61 | 4.0 |
| Boston | 78 | 65 | 7.5 |
| Toronto | 72 | 71 | 13.5 |
| Baltimore | 69 | 74 | 16.5 |
| AL Central | |||
| Chi. White Sox | 74 | 68 | — |
| Cleveland | 72 | 71 | 2.5 |
| Minnesota | 68 | 74 | 6.0 |
| Detroit | 65 | 77 | 9.0 |
| Kansas City | 63 | 80 | 11.5 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston | 73 | 70 | — |
| Texas | 70 | 73 | 3.0 |
| Seattle | 66 | 77 | 7.0 |
| Athletics | 57 | 86 | 16.0 |
| LA Angels | 54 | 88 | 18.5 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta | 84 | 58 | — |
| Philadelphia | 80 | 62 | 4.0 |
| Miami | 71 | 72 | 13.5 |
| Washington | 67 | 77 | 18.0 |
| NY Mets | 64 | 78 | 20.0 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee | 88 | 55 | — |
| Chi. Cubs | 81 | 62 | 7.0 |
| St. Louis | 71 | 72 | 17.0 |
| Pittsburgh | 70 | 73 | 18.0 |
| Cincinnati | 68 | 74 | 19.5 |
| NL West | |||
| LA Dodgers | 85 | 57 | — |
| Arizona | 75 | 68 | 10.5 |
| San Diego | 74 | 68 | 11.0 |
| San Francisco | 59 | 84 | 26.5 |
| Colorado | 55 | 87 | 30.0 |
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