AUS x MLB Update: 18 September

There are just 10 days left in the 2020 MLB season before playoffs, and the two teams with Aussies on their 40-man rosters are in the postseason picture.

West Australian Liam Hendriks leads the league with 13 saves while Victorian Lewis Thorpe remains at Minnesota's alternate training site after appearing in seven games.

LIAM HENDRIKS
WA's Liam Hendriks recorded the final five outs for his Major League-leading 13th save of the year as Oakland improved to 31-19 on Wednesday, 16 September.

Hendriks struck out two and allowed one hit across 1 2/3 innings as the A’s topped Colorado 3-1 at Coors Field.

The 31-year-old took over for left-hander Jake Diekman with one out in the eighth and retired five of six batters faced in his first outing since September 10.

Not only did Hendriks have to record two extra outs to record the save, but he also had to deal with the high altitude of Denver, a challenge given his medically diagnosed altitude sickness.

“I ended up getting on medication to alleviate it,” Hendriks told MLB.com.
“I pitched in Colorado Springs before and had issues there. But I told BoMel I wanted to pitch today, regardless. Luckily, it came in a save situation, and we were able to finish this road trip off on a high note.”

Kevin Pillar singled with two out in the eighth but Hendriks fought back, striking out Josh Fuentes to end the inning.

Hendriks retired David Dahl on the 10th pitch of a long at-bat to start the ninth before recording the final two outs to move clear of Cleveland’s Brad Hand with a 13th save of 2020.

A two-run sixth put Oakland on top as the A’s magic number to win the American League West shrunk to five.

Mark Canha broke a 1-1 tie with a run-scoring groundout off Rockies starter Germán Márquez. Jake Lamb’s RBI-single extended Oakland’s lead to two runs.

The A’s have a three-game home series against San Francisco this weekend before facing the L.A. Dodgers and Seattle Mariners to finish the 60-game season.

LEWIS THORPE
Thorpe's last appearance for Minnesota came in game one of a doubleheader against Detroit on Saturday, 29 August.

The left-handed pitcher has thrown 16.1 innings across seven outings, giving up 24 hits for 11 earned runs for an ERA of 6.06 and 10 strikeouts. He pitched 4.2 scoreless innings across his first two games.

Overall, the Twins sit in second in the American League Central division with a 31-21 record. They swept the Indians to start the week but dropped three out of four to the ladder-leading White Sox.

Minnesota plays the Chicago Cubs this weekend before rounding out the regular season at home vs. the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds.

For up-to-date schedules, scores and live action from the Twins, visit the official MLB website here.

MLB ON KAYO
If you’re wondering where to watch MLB, Kayo has you covered with some of the biggest games streamed live each week. In addition to MLB Strikezone showings, the Australian sports streaming service has the following lineup for games this next week:

• New York Mets v Tampa Bay Rays - Tuesday, 22 September, 6:00 AM AWST
• Los Angeles Dodgers v Oakland Athletics - Wednesday, 23 September, 10:30 AM AWST

Click HERE to check out Kayo and follow along with the MLB action live.
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