Each night in the 2016 baseball season we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from around Major League Baseball.
When Johnny Cueto exited Tuesday's matchup against Los Angeles with a strained groin after 5 1/3 innings, it figured to only be a matter of time before the Dodgers offense woke up against the Giants' embattled bullpen, which has been at the root of the club's second-half collapse with a franchise-worse 29 blown saves.
Needing a win to keep pace with the Cardinals in the NL wild-card race and end a three-game losing streak, the Giants were able to give Cueto his 17th win of the season thanks to consecutive shutout frames from Steven Okert, Will Smith and Sergio Romo in the 2-0 victory.
The trio allowed just one hit with seven strikeouts as the Giants moved into a three-way tie with the Cardinals and Mets for both wild-card spots.
While the win was key, the Giants lost Cueto and Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford, who was diagnosed with a dislocated left pinkie finger after sliding into third base during the second inning. Both players are without a timetable for return.
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San Francisco's offense was paced by solo homers from Eduardo Nunez and Brandon Belt. Dodgers southpaw Rich Hill (12-5) took the loss despite one earned run and seven strikeouts.
Player of the Day
Jose Fernandez, Marlins — The ace was dominant against the Nationals, striking out 12 while allowing three hits over eight scoreless innings in a 1-0 win. The right-hander is now 29-2 in his career at Marlins Park.
Highlight
The Rangers' Nick Martinez made an incredible backhanded catch of an Andrelton Simmons line drive to start a double play.
What? How?
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2016
UNREAL pic.twitter.com/IW4MvycmPx
Three things to know
— Mookie Betts' second hit against the Orioles was his 200th of the season, making him the first AL hitter to reach 200 hits this season. He also becomes the second AL outfielder (Joe DiMaggio) to hit 200 and 30 blast homers in a season before turning 24 years old.
— Yankees rookie phenom Gary Sanchez joins Wally Berger (1930 Boston Braves) as only players in modern MLB history (since 1900) with 17 homers in his first 44 career games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau .
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— Pinch hitter Brandon Guyer singled in a run with two outs in the ninth inning, helping the Indians record their MLB-leading 11th walkoff win of the season and lower their magic number to six for the AL Central crown.
What's next
Red Sox (87-64) at Orioles (82-69), 7:05 p.m. ET: In Game 3 of a four-game series with serious playoff implications, the AL East-leading Red Sox will send Clay Buchholz (7-10, 5.20 ERA) to the mound against the rejuvenated Ubaldo Jimenez (7-11, 5.94 ERA). The Orioles sit five games behind the Sox in the East but still hold a position in the wild-card standings. Jimenez, who owns a 3.51 ERA since the All-Star break after posting a 7.38 ERA before it, will look to close the gap.
Nationals (88-63) at Marlins (76-75), 7:10 p.m. ET: Looking to keep pace with Jon Lester for the most NL wins this season, Max Scherzer (17-7, 2.78 ERA) takes the mound against Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler (9-11, 3.96 ERA). Scherzer could get plenty of run support from reigning MVP Bryce Harper, who is batting .345 with six homers and 11 RBIs against Koehler in his career.