LEADING OFF: Rizzo on a roll, Phils drive for 5, Rendon done

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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WILD RIDE

Anthony Rizzo and the New York Yankees host surprising Seattle in the opener of a four-game series between AL wild-card contenders.

Rizzo homered again Wednesday night in a win over Baltimore, making him the first player in Yankees history with at least one RBI in each of his first six games with the club.

The first baseman became just the fourth player in the majors over the last 70 years to do it — Bobby Murcer drove in a run in his first seven games with the Chicago Cubs in 1977 and Jimmy Wynn (Dodgers, 1974) and Jim Spencer (Texas, 1973) did it six in a row, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“To be No. 1 at anything for a Yankee is very special, is very humbling because of the history here and all the success here,” Rizzo said.

Sent from the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees last Thursday, a day before the trade deadline, Rizzo has hit three home runs for New York — and six in his last 10 games overall.

New York (58-49) has scored double-digit runs in consecutive games for the first time this year and can move a season-high 10 games over .500.

Meanwhile, the Mariners just took two of three at Tampa Bay to finish 6-1 against the first-place Rays this year. Seattle trails Oakland by three games for the second AL wild card, while the Yankees are two behind the A's.

Tyler Anderson makes his second start for the Mariners (58-51) since being acquired from Pittsburgh.

“We’re not taking a back seat to anybody," Seattle manager Scott Servais said.

CLOSING PHAST

Aaron Nola (7-6, 4.30 ERA) takes the mound as Philadelphia tries to extend the longest current winning streak in the majors to five by completing a four-game sweep in Washington. The surging Phillies...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Rizzo-on-a-roll-Phils-drive-for-5-16365543.php