Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Indians still rolling, Dodgers still reeling

Posted September 11, 2017 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor, left, and Jay Bruce celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles, 3-2, at a baseball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The win extended the Indians win streak to 18 games. (AP Photo/Phil Long) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors Monday:

___

...AND COUNTING

The Indians can win their 19th straight game when they open a series against Detroit. Cleveland is two victories shy of the 2002 "Moneyball" Athletics for the longest streak since 1935, and it can get within striking distance with a win as Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.53) takes on Tigers rookie Myles Jaye (1-0, 0.00). Throughout this franchise-record run, the Indians have maintained that it's not much of a discussion topic in the clubhouse. "Maybe this thing gets more carried away with other people as opposed to us," manager Terry Francona said. "We just play the game."

STILL STRUGGLING

The NL West-leading Dodgers are a loss away from their longest skid since moving to Los Angeles as they open a series at San Francisco. L.A. has dropped 10 straight for the first time since 1992, and that was the franchise's worst stretch since the Brooklyn Dodgers lost 16 consecutive in 1944. Kenta Maeda (12-6, 4.02 ERA) tries to play stopper against Giants rookie Chris Stratton (2-3, 4.10).

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Lucas Duda gets to be on the home team at Citi Field once again, this time when the Rays host the Yankees in Queens because of Hurricane Irma. Duda was traded from the Mets to Tampa Bay this season, and this will be his first trip back to his old home since the July deal. The Yankees are wrapping a ten-game road trip just a few miles from their Bronx stadium.

9/11 ANNIVERSARY

Teams across the country will hold pregame ceremonies and moments of silence on the 16-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, and players, coaches and umpires will wear hats with an American flag patch. There was no scheduled home game for either New York team, although the Yankees will play against the Rays at the Mets' home in Citi Field due to Hurricane Irma.

REST UP

The Nationals are off, a day after becoming the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season. Fresh from winning its fourth NL East crown in four years, Washington resumes Tuesday at home against Atlanta. Manager Dusty Baker already is trying to give his regulars rest down the stretch - Matt Wieters and Jayson Werth sat out both Saturday and Sunday, while Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Michael A. Taylor all watched the Nats' last game over the weekend.

HOME RUN RECORD APPROACHING

With 42 homers, batters increased their season total to 5,448, closing within 245 of the major league record of 5,693 homers set in 2000. At this rate, the record will be shattered with about two weeks left in the season.

___

More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tony Cingrani adjusts his cap as the Colorado Rockies open a big lead in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker) The Associated Press

Florida Panthers' Vincent Trocheck, center left, holds a sign as he Tampa Bay Rays' Steve Cishek, right, collect donations outside Fenway Park in Boston for relief efforts that may be needed because of Hurricane Irma, before a baseball game between the Rays and the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays' Wilson Ramos, left, is welcomed home by Rays' Kevin Kiermaier, right, after Ramos hit a home run off a pitch by Boston Red Sox's Brandon Workman in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Associated Press

Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker waves to the crowd in the stands as they celebrate after clinching the National League East title after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Washington.(AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

The Washington Nationals celebrate in the locker room after they clinched the National League East title after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Baseball Content Providers MLB Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.