Athletics: Chapman made another handful

At long last http://www.lionsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-austin-bryant-jersey , after 17 weeks of poor play, frustrating games, and inexplicable outcomes, a lone team stands atop the NFC South. It’s a testament to how much this division struggled that two-win Tampa Bay, the team that finished with the worst record in the league and the first overall pick, was still in the hunt for a division title halfway through the year.While the Bucs are winners in a certain light (maybe or maybe not tanking in the finale to secure the top pick), the real champions are the Carolina Panthers, who routed the Atlanta Falcons on the road to win the division. The implosion by the Falcons, who won five games in the division and just one outside of it all year Rashan Gary Jersey , led to the firing of head coach Mike Smith. The New Orleans Saints also collapsed this year, and while Drew Brees led the league in passing yards, he also threw 17 picks, leading an offense of underachievers to go with a defense of busts.So Carolina stands alone, and looking at the three teams they beat out, it doesn’t seem like much. They enter the playoffs under .500 with a 7-8-1 record (that tie would have been a loss had Mike Nugent made an easy field goal in overtime). Two other teams had better records in the NFC, and no team in that conference in the postseason has fewer than 11 wins; no one in the AFC has fewer than 10 wins.All of that is to say Carolina doesn’t look great winning their division and there is an argument to be made about not allowing a team under .500 to make the playoffs, or at worst host a playoff game. But they are in, they are hosting Arizona this weekend http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-darnell-savage-jr.-jersey , and they are a threat. They are a threat not only to beat a club once considered the best in the league, but to win the Super Bowl. Yes indeed, here are the ten reasons why the Panthers can lift the Lombardi Trophy this come February. With the two best games of his career coming on consecutive days, designated hitter Evan Gattis has quickly transformed into the Astros‘ hottest hitter – and their current good luck charm.

He’s got a franchise record to prove it, too.

Gattis hit two home runs, including the first of back-to-back shots with Marwin Gonzalez during a seven-run second inning, and the streaking Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 13-5 on Wednesday night for their seventh straight win.

One night after homering and setting a career high with five RBIs, Gattis drove in five again, becoming the first player in franchise history to drive in five in consecutive games.

”It was fun to watch our guys respond to his continued damage at-bats Elgton Jenkins Jersey ,” Houston manager AJ Hinch said. ”They’re taking his helmet off and rubbing it all over themselves and they’re trying to get as close to him as they can. They want whatever he’s eating, whatever he’s doing during the games.”

Jake Marisnick also homered, Carlos Correa had a two-run triple and Yuli Gurriel had three hits and three RBIs to help Gerrit Cole (8-1) win his sixth straight decision.

Gattis had a sacrifice fly in the first inning, hit a three-run home run off A’s starter Paul Blackburn (1-1) in the second then went deep again with a solo blast off Emilio Pagan in the seventh. Gattis also walked in the eighth.

”He’s white hot,” Cole said. ”Just a great approach right now. He’s obviously put the team on his back a little bit.”

Gattis’ 10 RBIs in two games also ties an Astros record, but the big slugger wouldn’t say he’s necessarily locked in at the plate.

”It never feels like it,” Gattis said. ”You’re about to go hit a ball with a stick and you’re going to get out 70 percent of the time. You have to enjoy the good stuff if you’re going to get mad about the negatives in the game.”

Cole allowed a season-high four runs over six uneven innings, including two home runs, but benefited from the early cushion. The AL leader in strikeouts fanned six and yielded six hits with two walks.

That gives Houston three eight-game winners – Cole http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-jace-sternberger-jersey , Thursday’s starter Justin Verlander (8-2) and Tuesday’s winner Lance McCullers (8-3).

”Some undesirable results a couple times,” Cole said. ”Fastball command wasn’t poor but it wasn’t as sharp.”

The defending World Series champs moved a season-high 19 games over .500. This is Houston’s longest winning streak since taking seven in a row from Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2017.

Oakland outfielder Jake Smolinski became the first A’s position player to pitch in a game since utility player Tyler Ladendorf on June 3, 2016. Smolinski allowed a leadoff double to Max Stassi and a two-run home run to Marisnick in the ninth, then retired the next three batters.

”The one thing you really want is don’t get hurt and throw the ball over the middle of the plate, and he did exactly that,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. ”He was up for it. He’s up for just about anything.”

Khris Davis homered twice for Oakland, his 18th and 19th of the season. Stephen Piscotty also went deep.

The Astros flexed their defensive muscle in the eighth after Matt Olson reached on an error. Marisnick made a leaping catch in center to rob Matt Chapman of a home run, then threw to second baseman Tony Kemp Dexter Williams Jersey , who relayed to first to double up Olson.

QUICK EXIT

Blackburn retired only four batters and allowed eight runs before departing in the second.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: Chapman made another handful of stellar defensive plays at third base, one night after getting hit in the left hand by a 92.3 mph fastball from Astros reliever Collin McHugh.

UP NEXT

Verlander (8-2, 2.58 ERA) makes his 15th start in the series finale for Houston on Thursday. Among qualifying pitchers, Verlander leads the majors in ERA and is second in innings pitched (93 1/3) and third in strikeouts (113). Right-hander Frankie Montas (3-0, 1.25) goes for Oakland.

—