The Day in Sports: September 14, 2005

MLB: Texas Rangers 7, Orioles 6 (10 innings)

Well, I said pretty much everything that needed to be said about this game in my post yesterday afternoon. The Orioles were one out away from sweeping the Rangers and taking their fifth straight victory, when Jorge Julio struck. Julio let a 6-3 lead with two outs in the ninth become a 6-6 tie, then was replaced by Jason Grimsley, who got the final out of the ninth. Grimsley, of course, then gave up a run while getting no outs in the bottom of the tenth. Game over.

Grimsley (1-2) took the loss, and Joaquin Benoit (4-4) got the final two outs in the top of the tenth and took the win.

Miguel Tejada got his 91st RBI of the season, leaving him needing nine RBIs in the last 17 games to reach the 100 mark.

The Orioles, now 69-76, have an off day today before taking on the Devil Rays for a weekend set at Camden Yards.


Nationals 6, New York Mets 3
The Nats just won’t go away in the playoff race, as they took it to Kris Benson and the Mets yesterday, 6-3, to get back within three games of Philadelphia and Florida for the lead in the wild card standings.

Nick Johnson, Preston Wilson and Vinny Castilla provided the offensive fireworks, but Jose Guillen provided the entertainment. After striking out looking leading off the fifth inning with the game tied 3-3, Guillen tossed his helmet, some bats and a shin guard onto the field. Naturally, he was ejected, and could face a fine and a suspension.

The Nationals responded by knocking back to back dingers in the inning, the first by Wilson and the second by Castilla, to put Washington up 5-3.

Johnson added some offense, also, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Esteban Loaiza (11-10) worked seven innings, giving up three runs, to get the win. Benson (9-8) took the loss. Chad Cordero, again, worked the ninth to get the save, his 46th.

The Nats and Mets close out this series this afternoon at 1:10 at Shea Stadium, with Livan Hernandez (15-7, 3.83 ERA, RHP) facing Jae Seo (7-2, 1.98 ERA, RHP).