By Ron Kaplan, contributor

Only two Jewish hitters were in action yesterday, and both hit home runs.

Ian Kinsler blasted his MOT-leading 19th (another solo job), but the Detroit Tigers (62-88) fell to the visiting Oakland As, 8-3. Kinsler drove in another run with his 24th double, so he accounted for 67 percent of his team’s scoring.

Ryan Braun gave the Milwaukee Brewers (80-70) the only run they would need as they shut out the host Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-0. Braun’s 17th came in the fourth inning. He also singled and stole his 12th base.

Things were not so bright for Richard Bleier, who gave up a hit and was charged with a run without retiring a batter as the Baltimore Orioles (73-78) lost in 11 to the visiting Boston Red Sox, 10-8.

Joc Pederson did not appear for the LA Dodgers (96-54) in their 4-3 loss to the host Philadelphia Phillies.

Everyone else had the day off.

Just FYI, the Cleveland Indians (Craig Breslow) and Houston Astros (Alex Bregman) have clinched their divisions (AL Central and West, respectively), while the Dodgers, despite their MLB-best record, have just secured a spot in the post-season (NL West). Mathematically, the Brewers (Ryan Braun), Orioles (Richard Bleier), Toronto Blue Jays (Kevin Pillar), and St. Louis Cardinals (Ryan Sherriff) are all still alive for a Wild Card berth.

Ron Kaplan (@RonKaplanNJ) hosts Kaplan’s Korner, a blog about Jews and sports. He is the author of three books, including The Jewish Olympics: The History of the Maccabiah Games and Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War.

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