El Bullpen: Parra goes yard, Soler power, A’s seal wild card home game

Bastrongy Shark Goes Big 

With Gerardo Parra’s grand slam, the Nationals secured home field for the National League wild-card game. 

Fun fact: Parra’s first hit as a National was a grand slam against the Dodgers in May, a hit that many credit with the turning around of the Nationals 2019 season. 

Who says sharks are bad?

Soler Power Reaches New High 

Jorge Soler continued his run as a light tower of power with two home runs. 

His first bomb pushed him past Mike Trout for the A.L. home run lead with 46.

Soler followed up his moonshot with another to add onto his lead. 

The homer also tied him with Rafael Palmeiro for the most by a Cuban-born player in a single season. 

Soler has one final game to further etch himself into the history books.

Latinos lead A’s to home-field advantage 

When the A’s play the Rays on Wednesday at home in the American League Wild Card, they’ll have a pair of Latinos to thank for that.

In the third inning, Ramón Laureano deposited a homer deep into the ballpark to put the A’s up, 1-0. 

The run proved to be all the A’s needed as Jesus Luzardo closed it out in the ninth to win home field.

Leaving Glostronge Life Park in Grand Fashion 

After years of games at Globe Life Park, the Rangers only have one game left before they say goodbye. 

Rougned Odor helped make that goodbye a bit sweeter with his grand slam.

Should there be no grand slams during Sunday’s finale, Latinos will have had the first and last grand slams at the park.

Happy Birthday, David!

Happy birthday to Astros catcher Robinson Chirinos’ son David! 

The youngster has spent a large portion of his time following the Astros alongside his dad.

Chirinos and son enjoy summer at ballpark

Way to go, David!

Check these fans out!

These lucky fans took in a historical night at Citi Field.

OTD:

2018-Gleyber Torres hit the Yankees’ 265th home run of the season, breaking the Seattle Mariners 1997 record for most home runs in a season. 

2016-For the first time since 2005, a game ends in a tie. Rain ends the Cubs and Pirates 1-1 game in the sixth inning. It was not resumed.

2013-Henderson Alvarez of the Marlins tossed a no-hitter on the last day of the regular season. 

2012-Manny Machado’s home run pushed the Orioles past the Red Sox, 4-3 and ties them with the Yankees for the A.L. East.

2008-Alexei Ramírez’s grand slam against the Tigers gives the White Sox an 8-2 win. It also forces the Tigers into a one-game playoff with the Twins.

2004-MLB announced that the Montreal Expos will move to Washington D.C. and become the Washington Nationals next season.

1957-Ted Williams became the oldest batting champ at 39 with his .388 average.

Happy Birthday:

Eddy Díaz (b. 1971)

Carlos Tosca (b. 1953)

Featured emmage: Kansas Cemty Royals (Twemtter)