This is the first week of the home and homes. Robert traveled to Tim for the first two games of their series and in game 1, the score was 1-0 Robert, with Jacob deGrom (15-5) cruising until the bottom of the 7th when Tim pushed across two runs with a double by Matt Olson and three singles. Dustin German (8-7) got the win, giving up just 3 hits and 1 run in 7 innings. Adam Ottavino notched his 5th save. Tim took the second game at home, as well, before Robert roared back to salvage the split by taking both of his home games.
Chris played Rich and was ahead in game 1, 9-3, after two innings. Rich kept chipping away, however, and managed to tie the game in the 7th and then take the lead, 10-9, in the bottom of the 8th on a Gleybar Torres solo shot. Chris tied the game in the top of the 9th on a double, an error, and a wild pitch. Chris then scratched across a run in the top of the 10th and Julio Urias (6-3) escaped with the win despite giving up 2 hits in the bottom of the 10th. Game 2 was tied, 1-1, until Chris erupted for 6 runs in the 5th inning, highlighted by a Willson Contreras 3-run shot, and cruised to the 7-3 victory behind Charlie Morton (11-2). The series then moved to Chris’ home, and he took games 3 and 4 by identical 4-2 scores to sweep Rich and climb to within 2 games of first place. Rich fell to 3 games behind Phil (and 2nd place).
Phil played Bob, and was hoping to make up some ground on John, but Bob’s team is a tough out. They alternated wins and Phil escaped with a split. Bob was ahead in game 3, 3-2 until the bottom of the 8th when Shin-Soo Choo made a 2 base error in right field and Kevin Pillar doubled him home to tie the game. The score remained tied until the 12th when Pete Alonso hit a 2-run homer to give Bob a 5-3 lead and Josh Hader (3-2) set Phil down in order in the 12th with two k’s to secure the win.
John faced Mark. Game 1 was tied, 1-1, until Victor Reyes doubled in 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th and John Brebbia closed things out for his 6th save. Game 2 was tight, with John ahead 2-1 until the 8th again (John’s favorite inning?) when John erupted for 6 runs to take the game, 8-1. In game 3, Anibal Sanchez cruised to a 10-0 shutout despite giving up 7 hits. In game 4, Mark wasted no time in avoiding the sweep, scoring 6 runs in the first and cruising to a 13-2 win behind Mike Leake (10-7).
Dougald played Paul, who has been giving up runs in bunches. Dougald continued that trend, winning game 1 18-3, and game 2 17-11. Game 3 was actually close – it was tied at 5 after 7, but Dougald (like everyone else this week) scored in the bottom of the 8th when Mike Yastrzemski doubled and was singled home by Max Muncy. John Means nailed it down for his 7th save. Once that close game was out of the way, Dougald returned to scoring touchdowns and took game 4, 14-3, to complete the sweep. This allowed Dougald to keep pace with Chris and remain 3 games out of playoff position.