Cole Ragans and the Royals shut out the Orioles 1-0 from Baltimore to take an early lead in their American League Wild Card series. The starter allowed four hits and struck out eight batters over six innings. The bullpen allowed just one more hit over the final three frames as Lucas Erceg notched a four-out save. Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI single in the sixth inning was the game’s only run. The Royals lead the best-of-three series 1-0 with Game Two taking place this afternoon at Camden Yards. Right-hander Seth Lugo is slated to start opposite Baltimore righty Zach Eflin. First pitch is set for 3:38 p.m.
Elsewhere in the playoffs:
The Detroit Tigers are leading their best-of-three AL Wild Card round 1-0 after taking down the Houston Astros in Game One at Minute Maid Park. Tarik Skubal led the Tigers to a 3-1 victory after striking out six batters over six shutout innings. Beau Brieske hung on for the save after recording the game’s final two outs. Jake Rogers led the way at the plate after going two for four with an RBI. Framber Valdez suffered the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits over four and a third frames. Yainer Diaz drove in the game’s only run for the Stros with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Houston hopes to avoid elimination when it hosts Detroit in Game Two.
The San Diego Padres cruised to a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game One of the NL Wild Card Series at Petco Park. San Diego starter Michael King struck out a dozen batters through seven scoreless frames before relievers Jason Adam and Robert Suarez closed out the shutout on the mound. Fernando Tatis Jr. belted a two-run homer in the first inning while Kyle Higashioka went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs. The Padres hold a 1-0 series lead heading into Game Two on Wednesday. The Braves had seven hits but went 0-for-5 with a runner in scoring position. Atlanta starter AJ Smith-Shawver was charged with the loss after letting up three runs in just over an inning of work. The Braves are hoping to avoid elimination with a win in Game Two of the best-of-three series.
The New York Mets continued to ride their momentum with an 8-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game One of this NL Wild Card Series. Mark Vientos hit a tiebreaking, two-run single during a five-run outburst in the fifth inning. Jesse Winker and pinch-hitter J.D. Martinez each drove in two runs for the Mets. Winker, who batted .199 with a .567 OPS for the Brewers last year before bouncing back this season, drew a chorus of boos each time he came to the plate. He also appeared to exchange words with Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames after hitting a two-run triple in the second. Sean Manaea (12-6, 3.47 ERA) starts for the Mets in Game 2, five days after he allowed six runs (five earned) over 3 2/3 innings in an 8-4 loss at Milwaukee. Frankie Montas (7-11, 4.84) will pitch for the Brewers.