Bases Covered is a daily roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball.
Ready for October
The Red Sox earned a 6–2 win over the Rays on Monday to move into a tie with the Blue Jays for first in the AL East.
David Price pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks, and striking out eight. While Price has had a rocky season—he’s managed to lower his ERA to 4.00—it looks like he’s turning things around and finding his groove, and the timing couldn’t be better as the Red Sox prepare for the race to the post-season and beyond.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Price spoke about the one rule he’d change in the game, his current favourite player to watch, and why he’s concerned about “a new realm of PEDs.”
Clubhouse confrontation
The A’s have fined Danny Valencia and Billy Butler for their involvement in a clubhouse fight. Butler ended up on the seven-day concussion list as a result of the altercation.
Here’s why the fight is a sign of bad overall team chemistry in Oakland.
Fitness issues
The Atlanta Braves have apparently asked Matt Kemp to improve his fitness. The team’s GM, John Coppolella, said in a recent interview that Atlanta sees huge upside in Kemp, but that “he’s not in shape,” and that’s something they’re hoping he’ll address. Listen to the interview here.
Mets minus Matz
Bad news for an injury-plagued team: Mets starter Steven Matz is once again headed to the disabled list.
The 25-year-old lefty has been pitching with a bone spur, but the cause of this DL stint is shoulder tightness in his throwing arm.
Golden walk-off
Paul Goldschmidt hit the game-winning home run as the Diamondbacks defeated the Braves on Monday, 9–8.
Despite the shot into the left-field stands, Goldschmidt said afterwards that he hasn’t had much luck hitting homers in tie games, so he was merely trying to put the ball in play.