Orioles Score in 13th Inning to Defeat Toronto, 1-0; Schoop's Drive in Power Alley Scores Machado From First Base For Winning Run

TOWSON, Maryland, Saturday, September 2, 2017 - It seemed that in every inning, either the homestanding Orioles or the Blue Jays had runners in scoring position.  And yet, into the bottom of the 13th inning, not a single run had scored.  Not even one.

Both teams are almost desperate.  The Orioles are hovering just outside of a playoff spot, but are competing with so many similarly positioned teams that even one loss could send them reeling to the bottom of the pile.  Toronto is barely hanging on, the last team with even the slightest playoff hopes.

Manny Machado led off the bottom of the 13th, and for the third time in the game, he got a hit.  Machado is on fire these last days of the 2017 season.  His defense is just stunning and his offense is, well, unstoppable.  Now, he is at first base.  Jonathon Schoop is the batter.  He is the Oriole who has emerged in 2017, going from a pretty good second baseman to a sensational baseball player.  As he stands at the plate in the bottom of the 13th, he has 30 home runs and 100 RBIs.  Those numbers are about to be adjusted, at least one of them, anyway.  But if you see the replay, keep your eyes on Machado.

Schoop swings and sends a line drive up the right center field power alley.  The ball ricochets off the wall and bounces away from the outfielders.  Machado, even though there is nobody out, is off at the crack of the bat.  He is flying and he is determined.  Never once did he break stride.  He scores by sliding to the backstop side of the plate, his hand brushing over the plate to record the winning run.  He is ecstatic. The Birds of Baltimore beat those of Toronto, 1-0.

The American League Wild Card Race is so jumbled and so close that, with only a month worth of games left to play, at least eight teams are in contention for two wild card spots.  The Yankees have the first spot, for now, but their once comfortable lead is down to one game over the Twins.  The Twins have the second wild card playoff spot, but they are only 1.5 games ahead of the Orioles and Angels, 3 games ahead of the Rays and Rangers, and 3 and one-half ahead of the Royals and Mariners.  Toronto is eight and one-half back and has really fallen out of contention.  There are fewer than 30 games left to play for all of the teams.

Last night, in addition to the Orioles' 1-0 win over Toronto, the Yankees lost to Boston, 4-1.  The Bronx Bombers have only won 4 of their last ten games.  Minnesota lost to Kansas City, 7-6, the Rangers beat the Angels, 10-9, Tampa Bay beat the White Sox, 3-1.  Seattle beat back the Athletics, 3-2.