Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
No, the NFL regular season didn't start early; the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins just scored a lot of runs Sunday in an extra-innings thriller.
With one out in the top of the 12th inning, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson slapped a double to left field, driving in two runs to help Chicago beat the Twins 13-11 on the road.
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu stole the show early in the game by posting a career-high seven RBIs in a three-hit effort. He also smashed two long home runs, marking his first multi-home run game in over a year (Aug. 8, 2015 vs Royals).
With yet another home run, Twins second baseman Brian Dozier now has 18 since July 31. No player in the majors has more than 12 in that time. Dozier, who has hit five home runs in his last six games, has 35 on the season.
Byron Buxton, Minnesota's main star and the player who has had Twins fans drooling for over a year now, finally seems to have found his groove in the big leagues. The phenom outfielder went 3 for 6 with two runs scored and a grand slam.
We’ll take a #PapaSlam with a side of #Crushed: https://t.co/OmP26DJm9S pic.twitter.com/D0ygw2GO7U
— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2016
Buxton now has nine hits, seven runs scored, three home runs and nine RBIs in four games since his Sept. 1 call up.
Neither of these teams are in the playoff picture, but they certainly provided plenty of entertainment.
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Players of the day
Tigers outfielders Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez helped Detroit eke out a narrow 6-5 victory against the Kansas City Royals by hitting a home run apiece. Upton continued his second-half resurgence by collecting two hits, a home run and three RBIs. Martinez had two hits and two runs scored. Closer Francisco Rodriguez also recorded his 424th career save, tying John Franco for fourth all time.
Detroit's win, coupled with a Baltimore Orioles loss, placed the two teams in a tie for the final AL wild-card spot.
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Highlight
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics, but Marcus Semien lined one up the middle off Rodriguez's leg and was eventually ruled safe after a replay:
Eduardo Rodriguez loses his no-hitter in 8th inning on a play ruled out originally..overturned to safe https://t.co/3ulYdLAXae
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) September 4, 2016
Three things to know
— The St. Louis Cardinals extended their franchise record by homering in their 23rd straight game. Only the San Diego Padres have a longer streak in 2016 (25 games). The Cardinals now have the fourth-longest all-time streak by a National League team.
— Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward hit a single to left center, scoring Anthony Rizzo, to beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 in the bottom of the 13th inning. Heyward, who finished the game 3 for 6 with three RBIs, now has four walk-off hits in his career.
— Brewers outfielder Domingo Santana hit two home runs to help Milwaukee topple the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-0 on the road. First baseman Chris Carter added two hits, a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.
What's next
Blue Jays (77-59) at Yankees (70-65), 1:05 p.m. ET — R.A. Dickey (9-13, 4.43 ERA) takes the mound for the Blue Jays to help keep them ahead in the competitive A.L. East. He will face off against Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka (11-4, 3.12 ERA).
Cardinals (71-64) at Pirates (67-67), 4 p.m. ET — Living in the Cubs' shadow all season these two teams still have a shot at the postseason. Adam Wainwright (9-8, 4.53 ERA) will duel with Pittsburgh's young hurler Chad Kuhl (3-2, 3.70 ERA).