Homer-happy Astros clinch AL West for 7th time in past 8 seasons – MASHAHER

Jason Heyward hit a go-ahead, two-run homer and made a dazzling defensive play as the Houston Astros beat the visiting Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Tuesday night to clinch their fourth consecutive American League West championship.

Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker each added a solo home run for the Astros, who are headed to the post-season for the eighth year in a row.

The Astros, who won the division title for the seventh time in the last eight years, trailed by one with no outs in the fifth inning when Victor Caratini singled before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jeremy Pena.

First-year Astros manager Joe Espada was overwhelmed as the final out was recorded.

“Oh my God. Unbelievable,” he said. “Tears came out of my eyes. I’m emotional because I care about this team. I love this team, and the fact that we are in a position to compete for another World Series is special.”

Heyward, who wowed on defence in the top of the inning, launched his home run to the second deck in right field off Logan Gilbert (8-12) to put Houston on top 4-3.

Heyward, who signed with the Astros last month after his release by the Dodgers, is filling in for Yordan Alvarez, who is out with a knee sprain.

“What an opportunity,” Heyward said. “You never know where you’re going to be. It’s a different journey than most to get here, but it’s really cool that the game allows that to happen. And to come into a winning clubhouse, with a winning culture, that says a lot about what people think of me and it’s fun to give that back to them.”

The Mariners had runners on first and third with one out in the eighth before Ryan Pressly retired Mitch Garver on a flyball. Josh Hader took over and struck out J.P. Crawford to preserve the lead.

Hader returned for the ninth and retired pinch-hitter Luis Urias before striking out Victor Robles and Julio Rodriguez to earn his 34th save.

Framber Valdez (15-7) permitted eight hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings for the win.

Padres deliver game-ending triple play

Manny Machado started a game-ending triple play and the visiting San Diego Padres clinched a post-season berth with a 4-2 victory over the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jake Cronenworth hit an early two-run homer for the streaking Padres, assured at least a National League wild card with five games left in the regular season. They moved within two games of Los Angeles, with two games remaining in their critical series at Dodger Stadium.

“Just to get this lead back up to three, it’s really important,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

After the Dodgers scored once in the ninth inning, they had runners at first and second when Miguel Rojas hit a sharp grounder to Machado at third base. The former Dodger stepped on the bag and went around the horn for a triple play that ended it.

The Dodgers hit into two double plays earlier in the game.

The second-place Padres have won four in a row and nine of 10. San Diego owns the tiebreaker against Los Angeles with an 8-3 record in head-to-head matchups.

“We’re going to enjoy tonight, enjoy this game, enjoy the celebration,” Machado said, “but the job’s not finished yet.”

The Dodgers’ magic number remained four to clinch the division title.

San Diego’s four runs came with two outs in front of 50,369 fans who created a playoff atmosphere for the opener of the huge three-game series. They chanted “MVP! MVP!” at Shohei Ohtani while mercilessly booing Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres starter Michael King (13-9) allowed one unearned run and three hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out three and walked two.

Guardians hurler Bibee twirls gem

Lane Thomas hit a two-run homer and drove in three, Josh Naylor had a pair of runs batted in, and the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians clinched a first-round bye in the post-season with a 6-1 win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

Tanner Bibee (12-8) allowed one run on four hits over seven innings to win for the first time at home since July 19. The right-hander struck out seven in what could be his final outing until Game 1 of the AL Division Series.

Cleveland earned a five-day break between the end of the regular season and the start of the division series on Oct. 5 at Progressive Field.

“Getting these days off is going to give us a lot of rejuvenation, especially for a young team,” Bibee said. “Now, we’re going to be here at home for like two weeks in a row. It’s going to be nice.”

Thomas and Kyle Manzardo both went deep against Carson Spiers (5-7) in a three-run first as the Guardians improved their AL-best home record to 49-28. They have the second-best overall mark in the AL, behind only the Yankees.

The top two teams in each respective league receive a bye in the first round and advance to the division series.

Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said he will treat the next four games the same way as the first 158, but admitted, “We might give guys a day off.”

“We’ve said from the beginning that we think we can play with anybody, and these guys have proved it,” the first-year skipper said. “It’s incredible, so great for them. We couldn’t be happier about this opportunity.”