(TSX / STATS) -- ATLANTA -- It was a veteran who provided much of the offense, but it was a pair of rookies that came up with the decisive defensive plays for the Atlanta Braves on Friday.
Brandon Phillips had a home run and a double, while fielding gems by third baseman Johan Camargo and shortstop Dansby Swanson were instrumental in helping the Braves survive a near-bullpen meltdown to hang on for a 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers Friday night at SunTrust Park.
Atlanta has won six of its last seven games.
"The game came down to they made some defensive plays, some excellent defensive plays at the end of the game," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said.
Phillips was 2-for-5, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs to pace the Atlanta attack. The second baseman showed no signs of the groin issue that caused him to leave Thursday night's game early.
But it was Atlanta's defense in the late innings that saved the day.
Atlanta appeared to be in control with a 5-1 lead after six innings when the Brewers' bats took advantage of some shaky relief work.
Milwaukee scored a run against Sam Freeman in the seventh on Domingo Santana's RBI single.
The Brewers scored twice in the eighth on a sharp two-run double by Orlando Arcia. After Lewis Brinson was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second, the Braves escaped disaster when pinch hitter Jesus Aguilar ripped a grounder to third base that Camargo was able to backhand and turn into a double play.
Arodys Vizcaino pitched the ninth inning for the Braves and earned his first save, but it didn't come without drama. Eric Thames led off with a double, but was retired at third when he tried to advance on Santana's ground ball. The hard-hit grounder was fielded by Swanson, who turned and threw accurately to get the sliding Thames.
"That play Dansby made - I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like that," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "That ball's up the middle and you go to third base. To have the guts to make that play is the biggest thing to me. The conviction -- there wasn't any hesitation."
Swanson said: "It kind of went through my head before happened, really. It's just kind of crazy how you can process something before it happens and when it does happen, it just kind of becomes a reaction."
Vizcaino retired Travis Shaw on a fly ball to the warning track, which allowed Santana to move to second base. The game ended when Swanson dove to catch Manny Pina's line drive.
"The ball Aguilar hit was a great double play and the ball that Domingo hit, that's a really nice play," Counsell said. "Most shortstops are throwing that ball to first base."
Winning pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (5-5) suffered from a high pitch count and lasted only five innings. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits and three walks, with nine strikeouts. It is the fourth time in his last five starts that Foltynewicz has allowed two or fewer runs.
Losing pitcher Jimmy Nelson (5-4) worked five innings and allowed four runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out eight. It was Nelson's first loss since May 23.
The Braves scored twice in the first inning. Phillips hit the first pitch he saw from Nelson into the first row of seats in the left-field stands for his sixth home run.
Nick Markakis walked, went to third on Matt Adams' single and scored on a ground ball. Tyler Flowers hit a double-play ball to second, which Eric Sogard flipped to second, only to have shortstop Orlando Arcia drop the exchange, which allowed the run to score.
The Brewers made it 2-1 in the fourth when Keon Broxton hit a solo home run, his 12th, to straightaway center field.
Rain began to fall, heavy at times, during the fifth inning, but the Braves were able to score two more times. Phillips doubled home a run and scored when Flowers drove an opposite-field single to right.
NOTES: Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman, on the disabled list since May 18 with a fractured left wrist, said Friday his goal is to return to the team for the four-game series against Washington the weekend prior to the All-Star Game. ... Atlanta RHP Bartolo Colon will pitch a bullpen session on Saturday and be re-assessed. The veteran was placed on the disabled list on June 6 with an oblique strain and had his stay extended when he complained of a sore back. ... Atlanta LF Matt Kemp was not in the starting lineup on Friday as a precautionary measure. Kemp left Thursday's game early with tightness in his hamstring. 2B Brandon Phillips, who also left Thursday's game early with a slight groin pull, returned to the starting lineup. ... Milwaukee OF Ryan Braun (left calf strain) and 2B Jonathan Villar (lower back strain) continue their rehab assignment with Class A Wisconsin. ... Milwaukee's Eric Sogard was 0-for-2, snapping his 10-game hitting streak.
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Saturday, June 24, 2017
Harper's RBI single in 10th lifts Nationals over Reds
(TSX / STATS) -- WASHINGTON -- - Bryce Harper had an RBI single to right field with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning off Raisel Iglesias as the Washington Nationals came back to beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Friday night.
The liner scored Trea Turner, who singled with two outs and went to third on a single by Brian Goodwin.
The winning pitcher was Matt Albers (3-1), who worked a scoreless top of the 10th. Iglesias (2-2) was stuck with the loss as Harper had the winning hit on a full-count pitch.
Goodwin, who had three hits, belted his second solo homer of the game to lead off the seventh to tie it at 5 against reliever Wandy Peralta.
Daniel Murphy lined a solo homer, the 100th home run of his career, into the Nationals' bullpen in right to lead off the sixth against reliever Michael Lorenzen to cut the lead to 5-3. Later in the inning, pinch-hitter Stephen Drew had a sacrifice fly to make it 5-4.
Lorenzen came on for Reds starter Luis Castillo, who allowed five hits and two runs in five innings in his first major league game.
The first-place Nationals (44-29) are 19-15 at home and the last-place Reds (30-42) have lost 10 of 11. Scooter Gennett, Adam Duvall and Devin Mesoraco each had two hits for the Reds.
Washington starter Stephen Strasburg also did not figure in the decision. He threw 95 pitches and has allowed 13 runs in his last 15 1/3 innings. Ryan Zimmerman and Turner had two hits for Washington.
The Reds scored four runs in the first inning against Strasburg, who pitched less than six innings in his third straight start.
Gennett hit a solo homer -- his 10th home run of the year -- with one out to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. It was the third homer in six at-bats for Gennett against Strasburg, who gave up his 10th homer of the season.
Scott Schebler had a sacrifice fly and Mesoraco and Jose Peraza had RBI singles as the Reds sent nine batters to the plate.
The Nationals trimmed the margin to 4-1 when Goodwin hit a home run with one out in the last of the first inning.
Mesoraco had an RBI single to give the Reds a 5-1 lead in the third.
Washington cut the lead to 5-2 as Anthony Rendon lofted a long solo homer to center in the fourth.
Strasburg was pulled after five innings, allowing eight hits, five runs, two walks and two hit batters with five strikeouts.
Castillo was 4-4 with a 2.58 ERA in 14 starts for Double-A Pensacola, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his last start on Sunday.
He had his first big league at-bat on Friday before he even threw a pitch. He grounded out to end the first against Strasburg.
Castillo induced Zimmerman to hit into double plays to end the third and fifth as the first baseman stranded five runners combined.
NOTES: The Nationals recalled INF/OF Wilmer Difo from Triple-A Syracuse and sent RHP A.J. Cole back to the Chiefs. Cole made one start in May for the Nationals but was not used during his second stint with the team this year. Difo made his first start in CF for the Nationals on Friday and had trouble on some flyballs ... The Reds promoted RHP Luis Castillo from Double-A Pensacola to make his MLB debut Friday in Washington. To make room on the roster the Reds sent RHP Amir Garrett (3-6, 7.41 ERA) to Triple-A Louisville ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey (0-0) will make his first appearance of the year Saturday against Washington RHP Joe Ross (3-3, 5.98).
The liner scored Trea Turner, who singled with two outs and went to third on a single by Brian Goodwin.
The winning pitcher was Matt Albers (3-1), who worked a scoreless top of the 10th. Iglesias (2-2) was stuck with the loss as Harper had the winning hit on a full-count pitch.
Goodwin, who had three hits, belted his second solo homer of the game to lead off the seventh to tie it at 5 against reliever Wandy Peralta.
Daniel Murphy lined a solo homer, the 100th home run of his career, into the Nationals' bullpen in right to lead off the sixth against reliever Michael Lorenzen to cut the lead to 5-3. Later in the inning, pinch-hitter Stephen Drew had a sacrifice fly to make it 5-4.
Lorenzen came on for Reds starter Luis Castillo, who allowed five hits and two runs in five innings in his first major league game.
The first-place Nationals (44-29) are 19-15 at home and the last-place Reds (30-42) have lost 10 of 11. Scooter Gennett, Adam Duvall and Devin Mesoraco each had two hits for the Reds.
Washington starter Stephen Strasburg also did not figure in the decision. He threw 95 pitches and has allowed 13 runs in his last 15 1/3 innings. Ryan Zimmerman and Turner had two hits for Washington.
The Reds scored four runs in the first inning against Strasburg, who pitched less than six innings in his third straight start.
Gennett hit a solo homer -- his 10th home run of the year -- with one out to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. It was the third homer in six at-bats for Gennett against Strasburg, who gave up his 10th homer of the season.
Scott Schebler had a sacrifice fly and Mesoraco and Jose Peraza had RBI singles as the Reds sent nine batters to the plate.
The Nationals trimmed the margin to 4-1 when Goodwin hit a home run with one out in the last of the first inning.
Mesoraco had an RBI single to give the Reds a 5-1 lead in the third.
Washington cut the lead to 5-2 as Anthony Rendon lofted a long solo homer to center in the fourth.
Strasburg was pulled after five innings, allowing eight hits, five runs, two walks and two hit batters with five strikeouts.
Castillo was 4-4 with a 2.58 ERA in 14 starts for Double-A Pensacola, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his last start on Sunday.
He had his first big league at-bat on Friday before he even threw a pitch. He grounded out to end the first against Strasburg.
Castillo induced Zimmerman to hit into double plays to end the third and fifth as the first baseman stranded five runners combined.
NOTES: The Nationals recalled INF/OF Wilmer Difo from Triple-A Syracuse and sent RHP A.J. Cole back to the Chiefs. Cole made one start in May for the Nationals but was not used during his second stint with the team this year. Difo made his first start in CF for the Nationals on Friday and had trouble on some flyballs ... The Reds promoted RHP Luis Castillo from Double-A Pensacola to make his MLB debut Friday in Washington. To make room on the roster the Reds sent RHP Amir Garrett (3-6, 7.41 ERA) to Triple-A Louisville ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey (0-0) will make his first appearance of the year Saturday against Washington RHP Joe Ross (3-3, 5.98).
Padres' Perdomo, three relievers blank Tigers
(TSX / STATS) -- SAN DIEGO -- The Detroit Tigers were shut out for the sixth time this season Friday night by the San Diego Padres.
And for the third time, Tigers right-handed starter Michael Fulmer was on the wrong end of the zeroes.
"All I know is I've had just one scoreless outing this year and obviously that needs to change," Fulmer said after the Padres scored the game's only run on one of the two hits he allowed -- a second-inning RBI double by catcher Austin Hedges -- as San Diego won 1-0 in the opener of a three-game interleague series at Petco Park.
"The way things are going, that's just not good enough," Fulmer said of his outing after Padres starter Luis Perdomo (2-4) and two relievers combined on a three-hit shutout to hand Detroit its seventh consecutive loss.
That was one more hit than the Padres had. But timing is everything.
"A walk and a hanging slider," continued Fulmer. "One inning. There is not much you can do."
Actually, Fulmer (6-6, 3.29 ERA) thought he could have done better.
Cory Spangenberg drew a leadoff walk to open the second and reached second on Erick Aybar's groundout to second on a run-and-hit play.
Hedges, who hadn't played since being run over by Anthony Rizzo at Wrigley Field on Monday night, doubled to right-center on a two-out, 1-2 slider, driving Spangenberg home.
"I was looking for a mistake and he gave it to me," said Hedges.
"I knew the pitcher was up next," said Fulmer. "That's why I threw him a slider. I meant to bounce it and I just left it up. I wasn't trying to throw it for a strike. You've got to have a better pitch than that. Unfortunately, one of the few bad ones cost me."
Meanwhile, Perdomo made more mistakes early than Fulmer, but settled down and didn't allow a run for the first time this season in his 13th start.
Perdomo allowed two hits and five walks with six strikeouts in six innings as his ERA fell from 4.97 to 4.56.
Perdomo didn't allow a hit until Andrew Romine's single leading off the fifth. But he did issue four walks in the first four innings with a pair of inning-ending double plays easing the workload.
Padres manager Andy Green and Perdomo credited Hedges for helping the young pitcher settle down and make several midgame adjustments.
"I don't think Perdomo gets through the first two innings if not for Austin," said Green. "It was good to see Austin back in there. He does a great job for the entire ball club. The hit was huge. But Perdomo did a great job of adjusting as the game went on and a lot of that was Austin."
"I trust in Austin a lot," said Perdomo. "Early, I was out of control ... my mechanics. I made some adjustments that kept me in the game."
What adjustments?
"I let him be nasty," said Hedges. "I stopped worrying about setting up on the corners. His stuff was great, but his command wasn't there. So we just set up in the middle to let his pitches move."
Detroit's best opportunity against Perdomo came in the top of the sixth. Alex Avila opened the inning with a single and stole second after Miguel Cabrera lined out to center. But Perdomo struck out J.D. Martinez for the second time and retired former Padre Justin Upton on a grounder to first.
Perdomo was followed by left-handers Ryan Buchter and Brad Hand and right-handed closer Brandon Maurer, who picked up his 14th save.
The three Padres relievers had five strikeouts against one hit in three innings. Buchter struck out two Tigers in a perfect inning. Hand had two strikeouts after giving up a leadoff double in the eighth. Maurer had one in a perfect ninth.
Tigers pinch-hitter John Hicks doubled to lead off the eighth but was stranded when Hand struck out Ian Kinsler -- on a disputed check-swing call by first base umpire Jordan Baker -- and pinch-hitter Nicholas Castellanos before retiring Cabrera on a grounder to short.
Detroit manager Brad Ausmus was ejected by Baker for arguing the call.
"It was probably because of my emotion concerning the call he made," said Ausmus. "I wasn't real happy with the call on the check swing. I didn't think Ian went and still don't think he went after watching the replay.
"I felt real good about having the leadoff hitter on second. Then Kinsler is out on a supposed swing and now it's a different story."
Baker was involved in another call in the Tigers' ninth.
The umpire called Upton safe at first on a one-out grounder to short. But Green appealed the call and Upton was ruled out. Maurer then retired Dixon Machado on a fly to center to complete San Diego's fourth shutout of the season.
The Padres' only other hit was a single by Spangenberg in the fourth. Spangenberg reached base in all three plate appearances on two walks and the single and also stole a base.
NOTES: The Padres placed 2B-3B Yangervis Solarte (left oblique strain) and RHP Miguel Diaz (forearm strain) on the 10-day disabled list Friday and recalled C-1B Hector Sanchez and 2B Carlos Asuaje from Triple-A El Paso. Sanchez had been at El Paso on a rehab assignment while on the disabled list. He had been out since May 7 with a foot contusion . . . Detroit released RHP Francisco Rodriguez and placed OF Alex Presley on the seven-day concussion disabled list. The Tigers recalled RHP Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo and purchased the contract of OF Matt den Dekker from Toledo. 3B Nicholas Castellanos was a late scratch from the Tigers' starting lineup Friday night (due to lower back tightness) with Dixon Machado starting at third.
And for the third time, Tigers right-handed starter Michael Fulmer was on the wrong end of the zeroes.
"All I know is I've had just one scoreless outing this year and obviously that needs to change," Fulmer said after the Padres scored the game's only run on one of the two hits he allowed -- a second-inning RBI double by catcher Austin Hedges -- as San Diego won 1-0 in the opener of a three-game interleague series at Petco Park.
"The way things are going, that's just not good enough," Fulmer said of his outing after Padres starter Luis Perdomo (2-4) and two relievers combined on a three-hit shutout to hand Detroit its seventh consecutive loss.
That was one more hit than the Padres had. But timing is everything.
"A walk and a hanging slider," continued Fulmer. "One inning. There is not much you can do."
Actually, Fulmer (6-6, 3.29 ERA) thought he could have done better.
Cory Spangenberg drew a leadoff walk to open the second and reached second on Erick Aybar's groundout to second on a run-and-hit play.
Hedges, who hadn't played since being run over by Anthony Rizzo at Wrigley Field on Monday night, doubled to right-center on a two-out, 1-2 slider, driving Spangenberg home.
"I was looking for a mistake and he gave it to me," said Hedges.
"I knew the pitcher was up next," said Fulmer. "That's why I threw him a slider. I meant to bounce it and I just left it up. I wasn't trying to throw it for a strike. You've got to have a better pitch than that. Unfortunately, one of the few bad ones cost me."
Meanwhile, Perdomo made more mistakes early than Fulmer, but settled down and didn't allow a run for the first time this season in his 13th start.
Perdomo allowed two hits and five walks with six strikeouts in six innings as his ERA fell from 4.97 to 4.56.
Perdomo didn't allow a hit until Andrew Romine's single leading off the fifth. But he did issue four walks in the first four innings with a pair of inning-ending double plays easing the workload.
Padres manager Andy Green and Perdomo credited Hedges for helping the young pitcher settle down and make several midgame adjustments.
"I don't think Perdomo gets through the first two innings if not for Austin," said Green. "It was good to see Austin back in there. He does a great job for the entire ball club. The hit was huge. But Perdomo did a great job of adjusting as the game went on and a lot of that was Austin."
"I trust in Austin a lot," said Perdomo. "Early, I was out of control ... my mechanics. I made some adjustments that kept me in the game."
What adjustments?
"I let him be nasty," said Hedges. "I stopped worrying about setting up on the corners. His stuff was great, but his command wasn't there. So we just set up in the middle to let his pitches move."
Detroit's best opportunity against Perdomo came in the top of the sixth. Alex Avila opened the inning with a single and stole second after Miguel Cabrera lined out to center. But Perdomo struck out J.D. Martinez for the second time and retired former Padre Justin Upton on a grounder to first.
Perdomo was followed by left-handers Ryan Buchter and Brad Hand and right-handed closer Brandon Maurer, who picked up his 14th save.
The three Padres relievers had five strikeouts against one hit in three innings. Buchter struck out two Tigers in a perfect inning. Hand had two strikeouts after giving up a leadoff double in the eighth. Maurer had one in a perfect ninth.
Tigers pinch-hitter John Hicks doubled to lead off the eighth but was stranded when Hand struck out Ian Kinsler -- on a disputed check-swing call by first base umpire Jordan Baker -- and pinch-hitter Nicholas Castellanos before retiring Cabrera on a grounder to short.
Detroit manager Brad Ausmus was ejected by Baker for arguing the call.
"It was probably because of my emotion concerning the call he made," said Ausmus. "I wasn't real happy with the call on the check swing. I didn't think Ian went and still don't think he went after watching the replay.
"I felt real good about having the leadoff hitter on second. Then Kinsler is out on a supposed swing and now it's a different story."
Baker was involved in another call in the Tigers' ninth.
The umpire called Upton safe at first on a one-out grounder to short. But Green appealed the call and Upton was ruled out. Maurer then retired Dixon Machado on a fly to center to complete San Diego's fourth shutout of the season.
The Padres' only other hit was a single by Spangenberg in the fourth. Spangenberg reached base in all three plate appearances on two walks and the single and also stole a base.
NOTES: The Padres placed 2B-3B Yangervis Solarte (left oblique strain) and RHP Miguel Diaz (forearm strain) on the 10-day disabled list Friday and recalled C-1B Hector Sanchez and 2B Carlos Asuaje from Triple-A El Paso. Sanchez had been at El Paso on a rehab assignment while on the disabled list. He had been out since May 7 with a foot contusion . . . Detroit released RHP Francisco Rodriguez and placed OF Alex Presley on the seven-day concussion disabled list. The Tigers recalled RHP Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo and purchased the contract of OF Matt den Dekker from Toledo. 3B Nicholas Castellanos was a late scratch from the Tigers' starting lineup Friday night (due to lower back tightness) with Dixon Machado starting at third.
Mariners' Hernandez beats Astros in return
(TSX / STATS) -- SEATTLE -- "King's Court" is back in session.
Felix Hernandez pitched six strong innings in his first start since April 25 and the Seattle Mariners hit three home runs to defeat the Houston Astros 13-3 Friday night at Safeco Field.
Hernandez (3-2), who had been on the disabled list with inflammation in his pitching shoulder, allowed eight hits and three runs. He walked one and struck out six.
"I was going crazy on the DL, but I knew I'd be back," Hernandez said. "I was just trying to have a good game. We scored a lot of runs, which was good for me."
Mike Zunino hit a three-run homer for Seattle, which won its season-high sixth straight game. Ben Gamel and Kyle Seager added solo shots.
"King's Court" in the left-field corner, a group of fans who wear yellow "King Felix" T-shirts and hold up "K" signs and chant whenever Hernandez reaches a two-strike count, was overflowing Friday for the right-hander's first appearance at home since April 19. The court, which normally fills two sections, consumed four.
""It's a blast playing behind that guy," Gamel said. "Everything he brings to the table and the atmosphere ... it's huge having Felix back."
Hernandez was staked to a six-run lead in the third inning and cruised from there.
Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman hit solo home runs for Houston, which had its four-game winning streak snapped.
"It's a big series," said Hernandez, referring to the matchup between the top two teams in the American League West -- even though the Astros have an 11 1/2-game lead. "It's a good start to win this game."
Altuve hit a two-out homer, his 11th of the season, in the first. Bregman led off the fifth with his homer to straightaway center field, his eighth.
"Both home runs were pretty good pitches," Hernandez said. "Just got to tip my hat to them."
The Mariners tied it in the second as Seager led off with a single, moved to second on a single by Danny Valencia and scored on Jarrod Dyson's double down the right-field line.
Seattle loaded the bases in the third as Seager was hit by a pitch after singles by Gamel and Nelson Cruz. Mitch Haniger hit a run-scoring single up the middle, then Valencia grounded a two-run single to left just past diving Astros third baseman Bregman.
An out later, Zunino hit the first pitch from Houston starter Joe Musgrove 402 feet over the bullpens in left field for a three-run homer, his 10th of the season, making it 7-1.
The Astros got one run back in the fourth as Carlos Correa led off with a single and later scored on a run-scoring single by Marwin Gonzalez.
But the Mariners continued to batter Musgrove in the fourth, knocking him out.
Gamel led off with a homer to left field, his fourth of the season. Two outs later, Seager homered to right, his eighth, giving the Mariners a 9-2 lead. After a walk to Haniger and a single by Valencia, Musgrove's night was done.
Musgrove (4-7) had his worst start of the season. He allowed nine runs on 12 hits in 3 2/3 innings, with one walk and four strikeouts, and was tagged for three home runs.
"He really made a lot of mistakes in the strike zone and they made him pay for it," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "They did a good job of putting some good at-bats together and we couldn't stop them."
NOTES: RHP Felix Hernandez recorded his 157th career victory, passing Freddy Garcia for the most by a Venezuelan-born pitcher. ... All three of Seattle's runs in the seventh inning scored on wild pitches, even though RHP James Hoyt threw just two. Both 1B Danny Valencia and CF Jarrod Dyson scored on the first one, with Dyson racing home from second. Pinch-hitter Taylor Motter scored on Hoyt's second wild pitch. ... Valencia went 4-for-5, matching his career high for hits in game. It's the fourth time this season he's accomplished the feat, also doing it May 4 vs. the Los Angeles Angels, May 10 vs. Philadelphia and June 3 vs. Tampa Bay. ... Mariners LF Ben Gamel extended his hitting streak to 15 games. ... Seattle RHP Yovani Gallardo made his first relief appearance since his rookie season of 2007 with Milwaukee. Gallardo made 278 straight starts between bullpen assignments. He got the save with three scoreless innings of two-hit ball. ... The Astros plan to activate RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1, 2.58 ERA) to start Saturday night against Mariners RHP Sam Gaviglio (3-1, 3.43).
Felix Hernandez pitched six strong innings in his first start since April 25 and the Seattle Mariners hit three home runs to defeat the Houston Astros 13-3 Friday night at Safeco Field.
Hernandez (3-2), who had been on the disabled list with inflammation in his pitching shoulder, allowed eight hits and three runs. He walked one and struck out six.
"I was going crazy on the DL, but I knew I'd be back," Hernandez said. "I was just trying to have a good game. We scored a lot of runs, which was good for me."
Mike Zunino hit a three-run homer for Seattle, which won its season-high sixth straight game. Ben Gamel and Kyle Seager added solo shots.
"King's Court" in the left-field corner, a group of fans who wear yellow "King Felix" T-shirts and hold up "K" signs and chant whenever Hernandez reaches a two-strike count, was overflowing Friday for the right-hander's first appearance at home since April 19. The court, which normally fills two sections, consumed four.
""It's a blast playing behind that guy," Gamel said. "Everything he brings to the table and the atmosphere ... it's huge having Felix back."
Hernandez was staked to a six-run lead in the third inning and cruised from there.
Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman hit solo home runs for Houston, which had its four-game winning streak snapped.
"It's a big series," said Hernandez, referring to the matchup between the top two teams in the American League West -- even though the Astros have an 11 1/2-game lead. "It's a good start to win this game."
Altuve hit a two-out homer, his 11th of the season, in the first. Bregman led off the fifth with his homer to straightaway center field, his eighth.
"Both home runs were pretty good pitches," Hernandez said. "Just got to tip my hat to them."
The Mariners tied it in the second as Seager led off with a single, moved to second on a single by Danny Valencia and scored on Jarrod Dyson's double down the right-field line.
Seattle loaded the bases in the third as Seager was hit by a pitch after singles by Gamel and Nelson Cruz. Mitch Haniger hit a run-scoring single up the middle, then Valencia grounded a two-run single to left just past diving Astros third baseman Bregman.
An out later, Zunino hit the first pitch from Houston starter Joe Musgrove 402 feet over the bullpens in left field for a three-run homer, his 10th of the season, making it 7-1.
The Astros got one run back in the fourth as Carlos Correa led off with a single and later scored on a run-scoring single by Marwin Gonzalez.
But the Mariners continued to batter Musgrove in the fourth, knocking him out.
Gamel led off with a homer to left field, his fourth of the season. Two outs later, Seager homered to right, his eighth, giving the Mariners a 9-2 lead. After a walk to Haniger and a single by Valencia, Musgrove's night was done.
Musgrove (4-7) had his worst start of the season. He allowed nine runs on 12 hits in 3 2/3 innings, with one walk and four strikeouts, and was tagged for three home runs.
"He really made a lot of mistakes in the strike zone and they made him pay for it," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "They did a good job of putting some good at-bats together and we couldn't stop them."
NOTES: RHP Felix Hernandez recorded his 157th career victory, passing Freddy Garcia for the most by a Venezuelan-born pitcher. ... All three of Seattle's runs in the seventh inning scored on wild pitches, even though RHP James Hoyt threw just two. Both 1B Danny Valencia and CF Jarrod Dyson scored on the first one, with Dyson racing home from second. Pinch-hitter Taylor Motter scored on Hoyt's second wild pitch. ... Valencia went 4-for-5, matching his career high for hits in game. It's the fourth time this season he's accomplished the feat, also doing it May 4 vs. the Los Angeles Angels, May 10 vs. Philadelphia and June 3 vs. Tampa Bay. ... Mariners LF Ben Gamel extended his hitting streak to 15 games. ... Seattle RHP Yovani Gallardo made his first relief appearance since his rookie season of 2007 with Milwaukee. Gallardo made 278 straight starts between bullpen assignments. He got the save with three scoreless innings of two-hit ball. ... The Astros plan to activate RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1, 2.58 ERA) to start Saturday night against Mariners RHP Sam Gaviglio (3-1, 3.43).
Royals wipe out four-run deficit in ninth to top Blue Jays
(TSX / STATS) -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Whit Merrifield was not thinking he never had a walk-off hit when he dug in at the plate in the ninth.
Merrifield delivered his first career walk-off hit with a two-run double as the Kansas City Royals rallied from a four-run deficit to top the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Friday night.
All four runs in the ninth inning were scored with two outs.
"The tying run is on third, just hit the ball hard and if it happens to get in the gap or over the fence, that's a bonus," Merrifield said of what he was thinking. "In that situation, you're just trying to get that run in from third."
Merrifield doubled with one out in the eighth, but did not score.
"I felt like I had good at-bats all night, so it was nice to come through when it mattered," he said.
He was the seventh man to bat in the ninth.
"I counted out in my head if it worked out, I was going to get to hit and I had confidence in our guys to get the job done and they did," Merrifield said. "I had a chance and took advantage of it."
Alcides Escobar singled home Salvador Perez with the first run of the inning and Alex Gordon singled home Brandon Moss, who had walked, with the second run.
"I had him (Moss) 1-2," Toronto reliever Ryan Tepera said. "Just kept battling and battling. Mixed it up with a fastball and a slider, and he just kept battling and we ended up walking him. That was the key point of the inning really."
Merrifield greeted Jason Grilli with a double to left to score Escobar and Gordon.
"I was just hoping Salvy was not going to run out on the field too soon," Moss said. "Esky scored and Salvy was already on his way out and I said, 'wait, wait, wait. We gotta make sure Gordy gets around, too.' That was a great at-bat by him. He got a pitch and didn't miss it."
The victory moved the Royals (36-36) to .500 for the first time since they were 6-6 on April 16.
Joakim Soria (4-2) got the victory and Aaron Loup (2-1) took the loss.
Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ limited the Royals to four hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking none. He left with a 2-1 lead.
"The bullpen's been great for us," Happ said. "This shouldn't be an issue. This was just one of those nights and it didn't go our way, but we're going to have to bounce back."
Troy Tulowitzki doubled home Kendrys Morales with the first Toronto run in the fourth inning and scored on a Jake Junis wild pitch.
Toronto added two runs in the ninth with run-producing singles by Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak.
The Royals chased Happ in the seventh, which Lorenzo Cain led off with a double. Eric Hosmer reached on Ryan Goins' fielding error. Perez laced a single to left, scoring Cain with still nobody out.
Happ rebounded to retire Mike Moustakas on an infield pop-up and struck out Moss. Danny Barnes was brought in to face Escobar, who flied out to center.
"Just getting ahead, getting strike one," Happ said. "I feel like I've been getting better at that. That helps me control the count a lot better and be able to throw the other pitches off of that. So, that was a plus tonight."
"Just trying to stay out of the middle as much as I can and just trying to stick that ball to each side and just use everything. I feel like Russ did a good job back there tonight, kind of being on point with what we wanted to do. And, I feel like it is getting better."
Royals rookie Junis was pulled after 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, six hits and two walks while striking out four.
The Blue Jays scored two runs on one hit, a hit batter and a wild pitch in the fourth inning.
Junis hit Morales with a pitch to start the inning. Tulowitzki doubled to the right-center gap, scoring Morales. Dwight Smith Jr. flied out to deep center to get Tulowitzki to third. After walking Kevin Pillar, Junis uncorked a wild pitch with Goins batting, allowing Tulowitzki to score.
Happ retired the first 10 batters he faced before Jorge Bonifacio doubled to left with one out in the fourth, but he was stranded at third base.
The only other Kansas City baserunner the first five innings was Moss' opposite-field single with two out in the fifth.
Jose Bautista and Russell Martin singled with two outs in the third, but Junis struck out Donaldson to end the inning.
NOTES: The Royals designated for assignment RHP Chris Young, who had a 7.50 ERA and was allowing opponents to hit .353. They added RHP Neftali Feliz, who was released by the Brewers after going 1-5 with eight saves and a 6.00 ERA. ... The Blue Jays brought up OF Ian Parmley from Triple-A Buffalo and he started in right field. RHP Cesar Valdez was sent to the Bisons. ... OF Steve Pearce was not in the Toronto lineup for the second straight day with a bruised right knee. ... Royals LHP Danny Duffy will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Omaha. Duffy is on the disabled list with a strained oblique. ... Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada and Royals LHP Jason Vargas are the Saturday probables.
Merrifield delivered his first career walk-off hit with a two-run double as the Kansas City Royals rallied from a four-run deficit to top the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Friday night.
All four runs in the ninth inning were scored with two outs.
"The tying run is on third, just hit the ball hard and if it happens to get in the gap or over the fence, that's a bonus," Merrifield said of what he was thinking. "In that situation, you're just trying to get that run in from third."
Merrifield doubled with one out in the eighth, but did not score.
"I felt like I had good at-bats all night, so it was nice to come through when it mattered," he said.
He was the seventh man to bat in the ninth.
"I counted out in my head if it worked out, I was going to get to hit and I had confidence in our guys to get the job done and they did," Merrifield said. "I had a chance and took advantage of it."
Alcides Escobar singled home Salvador Perez with the first run of the inning and Alex Gordon singled home Brandon Moss, who had walked, with the second run.
"I had him (Moss) 1-2," Toronto reliever Ryan Tepera said. "Just kept battling and battling. Mixed it up with a fastball and a slider, and he just kept battling and we ended up walking him. That was the key point of the inning really."
Merrifield greeted Jason Grilli with a double to left to score Escobar and Gordon.
"I was just hoping Salvy was not going to run out on the field too soon," Moss said. "Esky scored and Salvy was already on his way out and I said, 'wait, wait, wait. We gotta make sure Gordy gets around, too.' That was a great at-bat by him. He got a pitch and didn't miss it."
The victory moved the Royals (36-36) to .500 for the first time since they were 6-6 on April 16.
Joakim Soria (4-2) got the victory and Aaron Loup (2-1) took the loss.
Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ limited the Royals to four hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking none. He left with a 2-1 lead.
"The bullpen's been great for us," Happ said. "This shouldn't be an issue. This was just one of those nights and it didn't go our way, but we're going to have to bounce back."
Troy Tulowitzki doubled home Kendrys Morales with the first Toronto run in the fourth inning and scored on a Jake Junis wild pitch.
Toronto added two runs in the ninth with run-producing singles by Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak.
The Royals chased Happ in the seventh, which Lorenzo Cain led off with a double. Eric Hosmer reached on Ryan Goins' fielding error. Perez laced a single to left, scoring Cain with still nobody out.
Happ rebounded to retire Mike Moustakas on an infield pop-up and struck out Moss. Danny Barnes was brought in to face Escobar, who flied out to center.
"Just getting ahead, getting strike one," Happ said. "I feel like I've been getting better at that. That helps me control the count a lot better and be able to throw the other pitches off of that. So, that was a plus tonight."
"Just trying to stay out of the middle as much as I can and just trying to stick that ball to each side and just use everything. I feel like Russ did a good job back there tonight, kind of being on point with what we wanted to do. And, I feel like it is getting better."
Royals rookie Junis was pulled after 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, six hits and two walks while striking out four.
The Blue Jays scored two runs on one hit, a hit batter and a wild pitch in the fourth inning.
Junis hit Morales with a pitch to start the inning. Tulowitzki doubled to the right-center gap, scoring Morales. Dwight Smith Jr. flied out to deep center to get Tulowitzki to third. After walking Kevin Pillar, Junis uncorked a wild pitch with Goins batting, allowing Tulowitzki to score.
Happ retired the first 10 batters he faced before Jorge Bonifacio doubled to left with one out in the fourth, but he was stranded at third base.
The only other Kansas City baserunner the first five innings was Moss' opposite-field single with two out in the fifth.
Jose Bautista and Russell Martin singled with two outs in the third, but Junis struck out Donaldson to end the inning.
NOTES: The Royals designated for assignment RHP Chris Young, who had a 7.50 ERA and was allowing opponents to hit .353. They added RHP Neftali Feliz, who was released by the Brewers after going 1-5 with eight saves and a 6.00 ERA. ... The Blue Jays brought up OF Ian Parmley from Triple-A Buffalo and he started in right field. RHP Cesar Valdez was sent to the Bisons. ... OF Steve Pearce was not in the Toronto lineup for the second straight day with a bruised right knee. ... Royals LHP Danny Duffy will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Omaha. Duffy is on the disabled list with a strained oblique. ... Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada and Royals LHP Jason Vargas are the Saturday probables.
Stanton homers, Marlins blank Cubs behind Urena
(TSX / STATS) -- MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins managed just three hits and two walks on Friday night.
But the Marlins, for the second time in three days, beat a 2016 playoff team despite getting three or less hits. First it was the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. On Friday, it was the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs.
It helps, though, when one of those three hits on Friday was a home run by Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Urena pitched six scoreless innings. To cap it off, the bullpen did its job flawlessly.
Add it all up, and Miami shut out Chicago 2-0 at Marlins Park.
One night after the Cubs routed Miami 11-1, Urena (6-2) held the Cubs to five hits and three walks (with three strikeouts). Relievers Kyle Barraclough, David Phelps and A.J. Ramos completed the shutout. Ramos earned his 11th save of the season.
Urena, who has won a career-high five consecutive decisions, impressed Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.
"The guy went up to 100 mph with sink," Bryant said.
The Cubs were familiar with Urena going into the game because he had defeated them as recently as June 7 in Chicago. But he looked different this time out.
"They changed their tactic," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Urena and the Marlins. "Their guy (Urena) threw a lot more breaking balls than last time, and he was good with it."
Perhaps that is part of the maturation of Urena, who leads all Marlins pitchers with his six wins.
"We know the power is there," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Urena's fastball. "But he's pitching more now.
"He's using his changeup. He's using his slider. You still want him to continue to improve, but he's using them, and that makes you think as a hitter."
Stanton's solo homer -- his ninth game-winning RBI this season -- gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the third. He hit a curveball on the outside part of the plate for his 19th long ball of the season, and he also doubled and was hit by a pitch in a 2-for-3 performance as Miami improved to 33-39.
The Cubs (37-36) got a good pitching performance by John Lackey (5-8), who allowed three hits, two walks and two runs, one earned, in six innings. Lackey has lost his past three decisions against the Marlins.
Offensively, Chicago hit into three double plays and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The Cubs managed just one extra-base hit, a two-out double by rookie right fielder Ian Happ in the first inning. Urena got the next batter, Addison Russell, to ground out to end the threat.
The Cubs threatened again in the fifth. With two outs, Bryant drew a five-pitch walk. Happ, who has six hits in the past two games, singled to put runners on the corners, but Russell struck out looking as Urena escaped again.
"I just focused on putting the ball down in the zone," Urena said. "That's how I can get people out."
Miami extended its lead to 2-0 in the sixth. Dee Gordon blooped a soft single over the shortstop, stole second, advanced to third on catcher Miguel Montero's throwing error. After Stanton was hit by a pitch, Gordon scored on Christian Yelich's sacrifice fly.
"Whatever," Stanton said when asked his reaction to getting hit in the back with that pitch from Lackey. "Do your job, Yelly."
Yelich indeed did his job, and the Marlins emerged with the win, even with very little offensive firepower.
NOTES: Marlins 2B Dee Gordon stole his 28th base, tying him for second place in the National League. ... Miami activated 3B Martin Prado, who went 0-for-3. Prado had been on the disabled list since May 7 due to his second hamstring injury of the year. He hit in the sixth hole because RF Giancarlo Stanton has found his niche is the second spot in the order. ... Miami designated INF Christian Colon for assignment. ... Miami is reportedly shopping starting SS Adeiny Hechavarria, who is on the disabled list due to an oblique injury. The Orioles, Rays and Cardinals are reportedly interested in Hechavarria, who has been replaced by rookie SS J.T. Riddle. Miami could also turn to SS Miguel Rojas when he gets healthy. ... With SS Addison Russell and RF Ian Happ each going 4-for-5 on Thursday, it was the first time since 1913 that the Cubs had two players age 23 or younger each collect at least four hits in a game. ... Chicago entered the weekend 29th in the majors in batting average (.239).
But the Marlins, for the second time in three days, beat a 2016 playoff team despite getting three or less hits. First it was the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. On Friday, it was the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs.
It helps, though, when one of those three hits on Friday was a home run by Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Urena pitched six scoreless innings. To cap it off, the bullpen did its job flawlessly.
Add it all up, and Miami shut out Chicago 2-0 at Marlins Park.
One night after the Cubs routed Miami 11-1, Urena (6-2) held the Cubs to five hits and three walks (with three strikeouts). Relievers Kyle Barraclough, David Phelps and A.J. Ramos completed the shutout. Ramos earned his 11th save of the season.
Urena, who has won a career-high five consecutive decisions, impressed Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.
"The guy went up to 100 mph with sink," Bryant said.
The Cubs were familiar with Urena going into the game because he had defeated them as recently as June 7 in Chicago. But he looked different this time out.
"They changed their tactic," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Urena and the Marlins. "Their guy (Urena) threw a lot more breaking balls than last time, and he was good with it."
Perhaps that is part of the maturation of Urena, who leads all Marlins pitchers with his six wins.
"We know the power is there," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Urena's fastball. "But he's pitching more now.
"He's using his changeup. He's using his slider. You still want him to continue to improve, but he's using them, and that makes you think as a hitter."
Stanton's solo homer -- his ninth game-winning RBI this season -- gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the third. He hit a curveball on the outside part of the plate for his 19th long ball of the season, and he also doubled and was hit by a pitch in a 2-for-3 performance as Miami improved to 33-39.
The Cubs (37-36) got a good pitching performance by John Lackey (5-8), who allowed three hits, two walks and two runs, one earned, in six innings. Lackey has lost his past three decisions against the Marlins.
Offensively, Chicago hit into three double plays and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The Cubs managed just one extra-base hit, a two-out double by rookie right fielder Ian Happ in the first inning. Urena got the next batter, Addison Russell, to ground out to end the threat.
The Cubs threatened again in the fifth. With two outs, Bryant drew a five-pitch walk. Happ, who has six hits in the past two games, singled to put runners on the corners, but Russell struck out looking as Urena escaped again.
"I just focused on putting the ball down in the zone," Urena said. "That's how I can get people out."
Miami extended its lead to 2-0 in the sixth. Dee Gordon blooped a soft single over the shortstop, stole second, advanced to third on catcher Miguel Montero's throwing error. After Stanton was hit by a pitch, Gordon scored on Christian Yelich's sacrifice fly.
"Whatever," Stanton said when asked his reaction to getting hit in the back with that pitch from Lackey. "Do your job, Yelly."
Yelich indeed did his job, and the Marlins emerged with the win, even with very little offensive firepower.
NOTES: Marlins 2B Dee Gordon stole his 28th base, tying him for second place in the National League. ... Miami activated 3B Martin Prado, who went 0-for-3. Prado had been on the disabled list since May 7 due to his second hamstring injury of the year. He hit in the sixth hole because RF Giancarlo Stanton has found his niche is the second spot in the order. ... Miami designated INF Christian Colon for assignment. ... Miami is reportedly shopping starting SS Adeiny Hechavarria, who is on the disabled list due to an oblique injury. The Orioles, Rays and Cardinals are reportedly interested in Hechavarria, who has been replaced by rookie SS J.T. Riddle. Miami could also turn to SS Miguel Rojas when he gets healthy. ... With SS Addison Russell and RF Ian Happ each going 4-for-5 on Thursday, it was the first time since 1913 that the Cubs had two players age 23 or younger each collect at least four hits in a game. ... Chicago entered the weekend 29th in the majors in batting average (.239).
A's beat White Sox, end 4-game skid behind Davis' HR
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton told his teammates in the bullpen that he wanted to give them a break and go nine innings. He didn't live up to his end of the bargain, but the A's will certainly live with his performance.
Cotton (5-7) threw five shutout innings, scattering three hits in Oakland's 3-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night before leaving the game at the start of the sixth inning because of a blister on his right (throwing) thumb.
"I was cruising until the fifth and the sixth and then this happened," Cotton said, pointing to the blister. "It was kind of a bummer that I couldn't at least finish the sixth inning."
Cotton has been dealing with a blister for some time, and A's manager Bob Melvin said "it doesn't seem to be a big issue" and he's hopeful the right-hander makes his next start.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the A's (33-42) as Khris Davis listened to Melvin's pregame message of jumping out to an early lead. On the first pitch he saw from Mike Pelfrey in the top of the first, Davis launched his 19th home run of the season, a 429-foot, two-run blast to center field.
"(Melvin) told me he wanted to give me a kiss for some reason because we jumped out to an early lead," Davis said with a laugh. "I think I agree with that, that it was important to jump out and score first. Just keeping an aggressive mindset early on."
Davis went 2-for-3 and also had a walk and stolen base. The early lead gave Cotton some confidence as he notched his first win in a night game this season.
"Yeah, I told KD he took coaching very well today," Melvin said. "Any time he makes the manager look good he gets to play again tomorrow. We needed to get on the board first, the way things had been going on the road for us. And Jharel kind of took that and ran with it, and obviously when he had to come out we had some rested guys in the bullpen today and they did a good job after it."
Matt Joyce also hit a home run for the A's, blasting a solo shot to right-center field in the fourth inning against Pelfrey (3-6), who dropped to 0-5 in his career against Oakland. He threw 106 pitches in only 4 2/3 innings.
"For six or seven lefties, I did a terrible job of commanding the inside of the plate with the fastball," said Pelfrey, who was 3-1 in his previous six starts coming in. "(I was) probably fortunate to get out of it with three runs like I did."
Melvin said that Oakland's bullpen was "terrific" in throwing four shutout innings. Closer Santiago Casilla made it interesting in the ninth, though, allowing the tying run to come to the plate, but Matt Davidson flied out to deep center field to end the game.
"They did a great job from Liam (Hendriks) coming in and finishing my inning for me to (Sean) Doolittle coming in and throwing up zeros and especially (Ryan) Madson, a guy I talk to a lot, and of course Casilla, just closing the game out for us and giving us the first 'W' of the road series, which is pretty good," Cotton said.
Davidson had two hits for the White Sox (32-40), who have lost four of five.
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and manager Rick Renteria were ejected by home plate umpire Jim Wolf in the bottom of the fifth inning. Anderson was tagged out by A's catcher Bruce Maxwell on a tapper that he thought was foul. Renteria came out to argue Anderson's ejection and he was tossed for the third time this season and second time in a week.
"It happened kind of quick," Renteria said. "I started walking out and I was too late obviously. But I mean things like that happen. In the heat of the battle, your emotions are flying high so it happens."
NOTES: Oakland SS Chad Pinder left the game after the fifth inning with a strained left hamstring. Manager Bob Melvin said it "could be a little bit. ... Usually those things aren't one day.". ... White Sox starter Mike Pelfrey had not given up a home run since May 26 -- he had gone five appearances and 21 innings without allowing a long ball. ... Khris Davis' home run for Oakland was only his third in June after hitting 10 in April and six in May, but he is hitting .294 in the month compared with a .186 average in May. ... White Sox SS Tim Anderson's first career ejection came on his 24th birthday. ... The White Sox will retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56 before Saturday afternoon's game.
Cotton (5-7) threw five shutout innings, scattering three hits in Oakland's 3-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night before leaving the game at the start of the sixth inning because of a blister on his right (throwing) thumb.
"I was cruising until the fifth and the sixth and then this happened," Cotton said, pointing to the blister. "It was kind of a bummer that I couldn't at least finish the sixth inning."
Cotton has been dealing with a blister for some time, and A's manager Bob Melvin said "it doesn't seem to be a big issue" and he's hopeful the right-hander makes his next start.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the A's (33-42) as Khris Davis listened to Melvin's pregame message of jumping out to an early lead. On the first pitch he saw from Mike Pelfrey in the top of the first, Davis launched his 19th home run of the season, a 429-foot, two-run blast to center field.
"(Melvin) told me he wanted to give me a kiss for some reason because we jumped out to an early lead," Davis said with a laugh. "I think I agree with that, that it was important to jump out and score first. Just keeping an aggressive mindset early on."
Davis went 2-for-3 and also had a walk and stolen base. The early lead gave Cotton some confidence as he notched his first win in a night game this season.
"Yeah, I told KD he took coaching very well today," Melvin said. "Any time he makes the manager look good he gets to play again tomorrow. We needed to get on the board first, the way things had been going on the road for us. And Jharel kind of took that and ran with it, and obviously when he had to come out we had some rested guys in the bullpen today and they did a good job after it."
Matt Joyce also hit a home run for the A's, blasting a solo shot to right-center field in the fourth inning against Pelfrey (3-6), who dropped to 0-5 in his career against Oakland. He threw 106 pitches in only 4 2/3 innings.
"For six or seven lefties, I did a terrible job of commanding the inside of the plate with the fastball," said Pelfrey, who was 3-1 in his previous six starts coming in. "(I was) probably fortunate to get out of it with three runs like I did."
Melvin said that Oakland's bullpen was "terrific" in throwing four shutout innings. Closer Santiago Casilla made it interesting in the ninth, though, allowing the tying run to come to the plate, but Matt Davidson flied out to deep center field to end the game.
"They did a great job from Liam (Hendriks) coming in and finishing my inning for me to (Sean) Doolittle coming in and throwing up zeros and especially (Ryan) Madson, a guy I talk to a lot, and of course Casilla, just closing the game out for us and giving us the first 'W' of the road series, which is pretty good," Cotton said.
Davidson had two hits for the White Sox (32-40), who have lost four of five.
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and manager Rick Renteria were ejected by home plate umpire Jim Wolf in the bottom of the fifth inning. Anderson was tagged out by A's catcher Bruce Maxwell on a tapper that he thought was foul. Renteria came out to argue Anderson's ejection and he was tossed for the third time this season and second time in a week.
"It happened kind of quick," Renteria said. "I started walking out and I was too late obviously. But I mean things like that happen. In the heat of the battle, your emotions are flying high so it happens."
NOTES: Oakland SS Chad Pinder left the game after the fifth inning with a strained left hamstring. Manager Bob Melvin said it "could be a little bit. ... Usually those things aren't one day.". ... White Sox starter Mike Pelfrey had not given up a home run since May 26 -- he had gone five appearances and 21 innings without allowing a long ball. ... Khris Davis' home run for Oakland was only his third in June after hitting 10 in April and six in May, but he is hitting .294 in the month compared with a .186 average in May. ... White Sox SS Tim Anderson's first career ejection came on his 24th birthday. ... The White Sox will retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56 before Saturday afternoon's game.
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