MLB News Today: Orioles reach 70 wins first in 2024; Gerrit Cole delivers impeccable 10-strikeout performance against Rangers and more
MLB's 10 August fixtures saw some strong affairs and the first MLB team to reach 100 wins this season. The Baltimore Orioles got their 70th win against their divisional rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Texas Rangers came back to win Game 2 of their doubleheader against the Yankees in the Bronx, despite Gerrit Cole's strong performance. The Dodgers dominated Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates to keep their lead in the NL West.
#1. Orioles beat Rays to reach 70 wins
Baltimore Orioles were tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the MLB ahead of Saturday. The Phillies' 11-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks opened the doors for the Orioles to become the first team to reach 70 wins this season.
The O's achieved that with a 7-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Ramon Urias hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth innings before Ryan Mountcastle drove in his second and third runs of the night to secure an unassailable lead. However, they need to keep up the form, with the Yankees just a game behind in the second spot in the AL East.
#2. Gerrit Cole's impressive 10 Ks outing vs. Rangers
The Texas Rangers had to fight off some steam from Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole to earn their 9-4 win. Cole pitched a solid 5.1 innings of one-run ball on six hits.
Cole got 10 strikeouts, with 63 of his 90 pitches recorded as strikes. After he was removed from the game, Luke Weaver and Michael Tonkin earned eight runs in 1.2 innings, resulting in the Yankees' loss in the second game of a doubleheader.
#3. Dodgers win against Paul Skenes and Pirates
Gavin Lux and Teoscar Hernandez were standout performers for the Dodgers in their 4-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates, along with pitcher Paul Skenes. Lux hit an RBI double in the first inning, followed by a line drive single to right field in the third inning, bringing in two more runs.
Hernandez then hit a solo homer in the fifth inning, the first against Skenes' splinker. Dodgers pitcher River Ryan pitched 4.2 scoreless innings and received support from Michael Kopech, who earned the win.