MLB scores, highlights: Greinke, Dodgers shut down Reds in odd fashion

Alec Brzezinski

MLB scores, highlights: Greinke, Dodgers shut down Reds in odd fashion image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.

Zack Greinke tossed seven shutout innings Thursday to help the Dodgers complete a three-game sweep of the hapless Reds.

MORE: Key series to watch in the stretch run | Reds manager Price safe for now

The 1-0 victory may seem cut and dried, but it was earned under interesting circumstances. For just the second time this season, Los Angeles won a game without an RBI or a run-scoring error. Justin Turner scored in the second inning on Yasmani Grandal's double-play grounder, which meant no RBI for Grandal.

The news wasn't all good for the Dodgers, however. Outfielder Yasiel Puig said after the game that he reinjured his right hamstring while attempting to beat a throw to first base. He told reporters the injury was worse than his previous one. Also, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez left the game with a bruised right knee after fouling a pitch off his leg in the third inning.

The Dodgers hold a 2 1/2-game lead in the NL West over the Giants but are three games back of the Cubs for the final wild-card slot should they lose their division lead. The Dodgers and Cubs are set to square off this weekend in a much-anticipated three-game series.

Meanwhile, Mets first baseman Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the top of the 13th inning to help New York beat Philadelphia 9-5 and complete a four-game sweep. Murphy finished 3 for 6 with a run scored and those two RBIs.

Here are more highlights from Thursday’s games:

Impact players

C — Buster Posey, Giants: Posey went 2 for 4 with a run scored in a big win against the Cubs. This was his first multi-hit game since Aug. 15.

1B — Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals: Washington suffered some pretty disheartening injuries on the night (see below), but Zimmerman gave fans a reason to smile in a win against the Padres. He homered and drove in two runs.

2B — Logan Forsythe, Rays: Forsythe helped Tampa Bay get a much-needed win against the Twins. He homered and scored twice.

SS — Elvis Andrus, Rangers: Andrus is starting to heat up at the right time. He went 2 for 4 with a double and a stolen base in a win over the Blue Jays. He now has four multi-hit games in his last eight starts.

3B — Mike Moustakas, Royals: Moose went 3 for 4 with a run scored and two RBIs in a win against the Orioles. He has four multi-hit games in his last five contests.

OF — Adam Eaton, White Sox; Curtis Granderson, Mets: Eaton went 3 for 3 with three runs scored in a win against the Mariners. It was his seventh multi-hit game of the month, and 13th since the All-Star break. Granderson went 4 for 6 with two runs scored and a walk in the grueling win over Philadelphia.

DH — Albert Pujols, Angels: Pujols went 1 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk in a win against the Tigers.

SP — Yordano Ventura, Royals: Ventura continued his impressive pitching of late with six scoreless innings against the Orioles. He struck out a career-high 11 and allowed just two hits.

Key injuries

Orioles outfielder Adam Jones left Thursday's game against the Royals after crashing into the wall. He is listed as day to day.

Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich was out of Thursday's lineup against the Pirates with a bruised knee.

Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor was removed from the game after a collision with the center field wall.

Nationals outfielder Denard Span will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with left hip inflammation.

Web gems

Rangers outfielder Will Venable makes a leaping grab:

Melvin Upton Jr. is Andrew Cashner-approved:

Anthony Rendon is a human vacuum cleaner (apologies to Brooks Robinson):

How about those Mets?

Not on Freddy Galvis' watch:

Surprise performers

Good: Giants second baseman Kelby Tomlinson went 2 for 4 with his first career home run, a grand slam, in the win against the Cubs. The 25-year-old rookie may be carving out a role for himself even after regular second baseman Joe Panik returns from the disabled list.

Bad: Cubs starting pitcher Dan Haren. Chicago traded for Haren hoping to get a steady veteran who could pitch in the postseason, but Haren seems to be running out of gas. He allowed five runs in six innings Thursday against the Giants. He gave up six hits, walked three and struck out four in the loss.

Facts of the day

Madison Bumgarner continued to roll:

Greinke blanked the opposition once again:

Edwin Encarnacion extended his hit streak:

Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo earned his 100th career win Thursday against the Blue Jays.

We'll let you think about this one:

Miguel Sano was unlucky to only get a double on his drive against the Rays:

Pedro Alvarez crushed one in Miami:

Off the field

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (hand) is expected to take live batting practice Monday.

Rays first baseman James Loney dropped his appeal of a one-game suspension and served the ban Thursday night. Loney was suspended for making contact with home plate umpire Paul Nauert on Saturday after a called third strike.

Remember Jurickson Profar?

The Cubs acquired relief pitcher Fernando Rodney from the Mariners for a player to be named or cash.

Reactions

"Both times I've gone against him, I've known I have to put my best out there and limit them to the fewest runs possible," Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani said of Greinke, via MLB.com. "It's tough to go against him, he's the best pitcher in the league. You've got to limit the damage."

Dee Gordon just wanted a high (OK, low) five:

Scores

American League

Angels 2, Tigers 0
Rangers 4, Blue Jays 1
Royals 5, Orioles 3
Rays 5, Twins 4
White Sox 4, Mariners 2

National League

Dodgers 1, Reds 0
Giants 9, Cubs 1
Pirates 2, Marlins 1
Nationals 4, Padres 2
Mets 9, Phillies 5, 13 innings
Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 3

A look ahead

The four best games to watch Friday (all times Eastern):

Orioles (63-64) at Rangers (65-61), 8:05 p.m.: Baltimore's Kevin Gausman (2-5, 4.30 ERA) faces off against Texas' Cole Hamels (7-8, 3.82 ERA) in a matchup of AL wild-card contenders. The Orioles need to string together a few wins, starting this weekend, to get closer; they're 2 1/2 games behind Texas for the second wild-card spot. The Rangers have been hot and cold this season. They need consistency from their rotation in order to be a legitimate postseason threat.

Astros (71-57) at Twins (65-62), 8:10 p.m.: The Twins are hanging on in the wild-card race, but a host of challengers are ready to pounce should the surprise contender falter. Minnesota will send Kyle Gibson (8-9, 3.96 ERA) to the mound to face off against the Astros' Scott Kazmir (7-8, 2.39 ERA).

Cubs (73-53) at Dodgers (70-56), 10:10 p.m.: Chicago has lost its last two after winning six in a row. It now faces a beat-up Dodgers team that can't afford to miss the playoffs. Luckily for LA, Clayton Kershaw (10-6, 2.29 ERA) is on the mound Friday.

Cardinals at Giants, 10:15 p.m.: Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.80 ERA) faces off against Mike Leake (9-6, 3.34 ERA), who has been battling a nagging hamstring injury since coming over from the Reds. This game has huge playoff implications for San Francisco, as it tries to catch the wounded Dodgers in the NL West.

Alec Brzezinski