With less than four weeks left in the regular season and much about the playoff picture still to be decided, Tuesday might have been a pivotal day in the National League race. The Chicago Cubs got back two key players, infielder Ben Zobrist and catcher Willson Contreras, for a victory over the Seattle Mariners. Elsewhere in the wild-card race, the Nationals gave up five runs in the ninth inning to the New York Mets — then scored seven in the bottom of the ninth for a stunning victory. Over in the American League, Edwin Encarnacion homered in his return for the Yankees. And finally, Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller survived a scary line drive that him in the arm.
The Cubs have slipped behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central race, but with a full roster, they plan on making a push. It started with Contreras homering in his return Tuesday.
Willson Contreras, on his home run tonight: “That gave me chills. It was a special moment for me, because I know that I got hurt a month ago and I battled my way back. To be able to step into the box and hit a homer in my first at-bat coming back, it was awesome.”
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 4, 2019
The Mets made quite a run in July and August, but this one is going to sting for a team still on the outside looking in.
WHAT A COMEBACK 😳
The Nationals scored 7 runs in the 9th inning to beat the Mets. pic.twitter.com/opJBWr9RCK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 4, 2019
Carlos Carrasco returned in front of his home fans Tuesday. The Indians lost to the White Sox, but it continues to be an emotional feel-good story.
Family is everything to me. What Cookie is going through is real. We are a team and also a family. He’s our brother, we love him and we fight with him. In honor of Cookie and his courageous fight with cancer, I am… https://t.co/I9ob0qzZG1
— Francisco Lindor (@Lindor12BC) September 3, 2019
Scary moment here, but quick reflexes might have saved Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller from serious injury. Scans revealed only a bruised wrist.
THAT’S GOING TO LEAVE A MARK
Pirates rookie Mitch Keller exits the game after being struck by a line drive in the 2nd inning tonight vs the Marlins. The team says initial imaging only revealed a bruise. pic.twitter.com/q06sYbYCta
— Chase Williams WPXI (@chasepwilliams) September 4, 2019
TOP STORIES
• ‘We should be full go’: With Ben Zobrist and Willson Contreras back, the Cubs eye one last playoff push | The Athletic
• Nationals’ stunning rally over the Mets could be a springboard toward October | Washington Post
• Edwin Encarnacion returns to the Yankees with a bang | New York Post
