(TSX / STATS) -- BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter is confident that his team is still capable of making a run at the postseason, especially when some key players get healthy.
The Orioles reinforced that trust with a stellar performance against an American League East rival.
Kevin Gausman threw seven scoreless innings, Manny Machado had a three-run homer and Baltimore avoided a three-game sweep with a 7-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
"That was fun to watch," Showalter said about Gausman. "That was impressive. I thought the seventh inning was the most impressive inning he had. You could tell he was going to carry good stuff. The secondary stuff was really good today. It was probably the best secondary stuff he's had this year."
Mark Trumbo also homered for Baltimore, which plays seven straight road games heading into the All-Star break. Tampa Bay still managed its first series win at Camden Yards in two years.
Gausman (5-7) appears to have put some of his early season struggles behind him. He did not allow a hit until Logan Morrison managed a two-out single in the fourth inning.
Gausman allowed just two hits with a season-tying high nine strikeouts and two walks. He has given up three runs in his past 18 innings, including another 5 1/3 shutout innings Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
"I think you only get confidence from success," Gausman said. "You got to have that first. Feel like I'm throwing the ball well right now and just got to keep it going. Like you said, I had a great second half last year, so obviously looking forward to that and knowing I'm the type of guy that gets better as the season goes on. That's always good."
Tampa Bay catcher Jesus Sucre ended the shutout bid with a solo homer in the eighth off Mychal Givens.
Rays manager Kevin Cash fractured his left ankle running near Camden Yards early Sunday morning but did not miss the game.
"I was crossing the railroad track and I looked up and stepped into the track, I rolled it," Cash said.
Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb entered the game 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA in nine starts against the Orioles. This time, though, Baltimore took advantage of some miscues to open a 4-0 lead in the third.
Cobb (6-6) hit shortstop Ruben Tejada on the shoulder to put runners on first and second. After a sacrifice bunt by Joey Rickard advanced both players, Cobb had a throwing error on a grounder by Seth Smith that allowed the first run to score. Machado followed with a three-run shot to left.
"Any time you are on the mound, you are trying to win the ballgame," Cobb said. "There are some things you don't know what goes on to keep the game close. You don't have that big inning and you give your team a chance to win late in the game. But we're fortunate to walk out of here with two out of three.
"We need to win series and ultimately try to get to that 90-win mark and get into the playoffs."
Trumbo led off the fourth with a towering homer that boosted the lead to 5-0. A two-run double by Smith increased the lead to 7-0 in the seventh and ended the day for Cobb, who finished with six earned runs and six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
The Rays simply could not respond against Gausman.
"That's about as well-pitched of a game that we've had against us this year or at least in a long time," Cash said. "Gausman was throwing 96, 98 miles per hour, spotting his fastball, showed a really good splitter and the occasional slider. I mean he made it really tough, so you're not going to piece together a lot of big innings when you're facing that kind of stuff and that type of command."
NOTES: Baltimore recalled RHP Jimmy Yacabonis from Triple-A Norfolk. To make room, RHP Alec Asher was optioned to the Tides. ... Rays SS Tim Beckham was back in the lineup after missing the previous game with a sore ankle. ... Baltimore RHP Chris Tillman will not travel with the team on Monday to Milwaukee because his wife is overdue with their first child. Tillman is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Brewers, but the Orioles have a contingency plan in place in case he cannot pitch.
This is "The Line Drive", MLB and baseball news brought to you by the UNB! Network!
Monday, July 3, 2017
Ramirez leads Indians past Tigers, Verlander's strikeout streak ends
(TSX / STATS) -- DETROIT -- Jose Ramirez continues to tear up opposing pitchers no matter which side of the batter's box he is standing on.
The Cleveland third baseman homered twice and knocked in four runs and the Indians held off the Detroit Tigers 11-8 on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park.
Ramirez, who has three multi-homer games, reached base four times and scored four runs. He hit his homers from opposite sides of the plate for the second time this season, the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat.
Ramirez is batting .325 with 15 homers and 42 RBIs and leads the club with 59 runs scored.
"It's been fun to watch," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "It's both sides of the plate and he gets so dangerous when he's in one of these (grooves). It's not just getting singles, he's hitting the ball a long way. There's a reason he's hitting behind (cleanup hitter Edwin) Encarnacion, because that's how dangerous he is."
Losing pitcher Justin Verlander (5-5) surrendered seven runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. He didn't record a strikeout for the first time since May 4, 2007. The streak lasted 331 games and had been the majors' longest active streak. The strikeout streak was tied for the sixth longest since 1913.
"He's one of the most competitive pitchers you're ever going to see and we made him work for everything," Francona said.
Carlos Santana doubled twice and drove in three runs, Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-run homer and Encarnacion scored twice and knocked in two runs for Cleveland (44-37).
Mike Clevinger (4-3) overcame early wildness to record the win. He allowed one run on two hits with a career-high-tying five walks and seven strikeouts in six innings.
Cody Allen got the last out to notch his 16th save after the Tigers scored six ninth-inning runs.
"I'm glad we were up nine instead of six," Francona said. "How many times do you give up six in the ninth and win? It's not going to put a damper on the day because we came out with good energy and played a good game. It's a little frustrating when you're just trying to get guys some work and all of a sudden you've got to get Cody up."
The Tigers lost the series 2-1 and dropped eight games behind the Indians in the American League Central Division.
"There's a whole bunch of feelings that happen when you don't pitch well," Verlander said. "Yeah, you want to pitch well for the team. You want to pitch well for yourself. You want to pitch well for everybody. You just want to win. My teammates came in after the game and during the game and said, 'Hey man, just don't worry about it. Spit it out, and get ready for the next one.' That's the kind of camaraderie we have in here."
James McCann drove in four runs and hit a three-run homer in the ninth, for Detroit (36-45).
Chisenhall put the Indians on top with his two-run shot in the second.
The Indians made it 4-0 in the third. Verlander got two outs before Ramirez drilled a 1-2 offering over the right-field wall. Chisenhall then walked and scored on Santana's double.
"My body feels great, my arm feels great. Just one of those days," Verlander said. "A couple of pitches, I went back and looked at (the video). I thought they may have caught too much plate or were a little up. But the curveball to Chisenhall was actually a decent pitch and the slider to Ramirez was on the black and in. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap."
Detroit scored its first run on J.D. Martinez's RBI double in the bottom of the inning.
Ramirez's second homer, a three-run blast, came off reliever Chad Bell in the fourth. Verlander's day ended one batter earlier when Encarnacion smacked a run-scoring single.
Encarnacion's RBI triple and Santana's two-run double in the sixth upped Cleveland's lead to 11-1.
NOTES: Detroit LF Justin Upton missed his third consecutive game because of right side soreness. Upton suffered the injury in the batting cage prior to Saturday's doubleheader. He leads the club in homers (15) and RBIs (52). ... Indiana RHP Danny Salazar made a rehab start with Triple-A Akron on Saturday. He threw 48 pitches in the 1 2/3-inning stint and allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Salazar was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to June 4 with right shoulder soreness. ... Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler got the day off. He had appeared in every game since June 6. ... Indians 3B Jose Ramirez stretched his road hitting streak to 15 games.
The Cleveland third baseman homered twice and knocked in four runs and the Indians held off the Detroit Tigers 11-8 on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park.
Ramirez, who has three multi-homer games, reached base four times and scored four runs. He hit his homers from opposite sides of the plate for the second time this season, the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat.
Ramirez is batting .325 with 15 homers and 42 RBIs and leads the club with 59 runs scored.
"It's been fun to watch," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "It's both sides of the plate and he gets so dangerous when he's in one of these (grooves). It's not just getting singles, he's hitting the ball a long way. There's a reason he's hitting behind (cleanup hitter Edwin) Encarnacion, because that's how dangerous he is."
Losing pitcher Justin Verlander (5-5) surrendered seven runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. He didn't record a strikeout for the first time since May 4, 2007. The streak lasted 331 games and had been the majors' longest active streak. The strikeout streak was tied for the sixth longest since 1913.
"He's one of the most competitive pitchers you're ever going to see and we made him work for everything," Francona said.
Carlos Santana doubled twice and drove in three runs, Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-run homer and Encarnacion scored twice and knocked in two runs for Cleveland (44-37).
Mike Clevinger (4-3) overcame early wildness to record the win. He allowed one run on two hits with a career-high-tying five walks and seven strikeouts in six innings.
Cody Allen got the last out to notch his 16th save after the Tigers scored six ninth-inning runs.
"I'm glad we were up nine instead of six," Francona said. "How many times do you give up six in the ninth and win? It's not going to put a damper on the day because we came out with good energy and played a good game. It's a little frustrating when you're just trying to get guys some work and all of a sudden you've got to get Cody up."
The Tigers lost the series 2-1 and dropped eight games behind the Indians in the American League Central Division.
"There's a whole bunch of feelings that happen when you don't pitch well," Verlander said. "Yeah, you want to pitch well for the team. You want to pitch well for yourself. You want to pitch well for everybody. You just want to win. My teammates came in after the game and during the game and said, 'Hey man, just don't worry about it. Spit it out, and get ready for the next one.' That's the kind of camaraderie we have in here."
James McCann drove in four runs and hit a three-run homer in the ninth, for Detroit (36-45).
Chisenhall put the Indians on top with his two-run shot in the second.
The Indians made it 4-0 in the third. Verlander got two outs before Ramirez drilled a 1-2 offering over the right-field wall. Chisenhall then walked and scored on Santana's double.
"My body feels great, my arm feels great. Just one of those days," Verlander said. "A couple of pitches, I went back and looked at (the video). I thought they may have caught too much plate or were a little up. But the curveball to Chisenhall was actually a decent pitch and the slider to Ramirez was on the black and in. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap."
Detroit scored its first run on J.D. Martinez's RBI double in the bottom of the inning.
Ramirez's second homer, a three-run blast, came off reliever Chad Bell in the fourth. Verlander's day ended one batter earlier when Encarnacion smacked a run-scoring single.
Encarnacion's RBI triple and Santana's two-run double in the sixth upped Cleveland's lead to 11-1.
NOTES: Detroit LF Justin Upton missed his third consecutive game because of right side soreness. Upton suffered the injury in the batting cage prior to Saturday's doubleheader. He leads the club in homers (15) and RBIs (52). ... Indiana RHP Danny Salazar made a rehab start with Triple-A Akron on Saturday. He threw 48 pitches in the 1 2/3-inning stint and allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Salazar was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to June 4 with right shoulder soreness. ... Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler got the day off. He had appeared in every game since June 6. ... Indians 3B Jose Ramirez stretched his road hitting streak to 15 games.
Happ's two HRs help Cubs top Reds in series finale
(TSX / STATS) -- CINCINNATI -- Joe Maddon's litmus test to evaluate Jake Arrieta's stuff on Sunday was how he fared against Joey Votto, arguably one of the best hitters in all of baseball.
Votto went 1-for-3 against Arrieta with a strikeout but managed to do something against him no other Reds batter could -- get a hit.
Arrieta allowed only a single by Votto through seven innings, Ian Happ homered twice and Anthony Rizzo added a solo shot, helping the Chicago Cubs avoid a sweep with a 6-2 victory over the Cincinnatio Reds.
Arrieta, pitching in Great American Ball Park where he hurled a no-hitter on April 21, 2016, looked unhittable at times during his seven frames. He retired 10 straight in one stretch and 19 of the final 20 batters he faced.
"Votto did not have good at-bats against him, that tells me his stuff was very good," Maddon said. "That was as good as we've seen Jake in a bit. If he keeps pitching with that command, the confidence is going to come up. I was just watching their hitters react."
The Cubs' offensive star was Happ, who, while starring at the University of Cincinnati, regularly attended games at Great American Ball Park and even played there once against the University of Louisville in 2013. On Sunday, Happ went 3-for-4 with two homers and tied a career high with four RBIs.
"I feel good about how I've been swinging the bat the past couple weeks," Happ said. "I've had some pretty good ABs. I'm just trying to go out there and play good baseball and compete every day."
The victory helped Chicago (41-41) avoid its first three-game sweep in Cincinnati since 1996. The Cubs have beaten the Reds in 24 of the past 31 meetings.
"Two thumbs up," Maddon said when asked about going 5-6 on the road trip. "The hitting has fluctuated. The pitching has fluctuated. Everybody's doing their part which is why we're .500. But, we're getting guys back (healthy). Impressed with how we continue to fight."
Cubs second baseman Javier Baez, who entered Sunday's game 1-for-16, went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
Votto's two-out single in the first inning was the only hit allowed by Arrieta (8-6), who had two walks and six strikeouts in 100 pitches.
Arrieta credited an improved changeup on Sunday that helped him avoid the command issues he has experienced throughout the season.
"Getting more comfortable with it," Arrieta said. "It's opening up some doors, allowing me to do some more things. It's a big pitch for me. The two walks, I'm OK with that, as long as I can swing things back in my favor with some quick outs."
Votto's two-run single in the eighth -- his 1,499th career hit -- off Koji Uehara, made the score 6-2 and raised his average to a season-high .317. But the Reds couldn't mount a rally.
In the second, Happ launched a 2-2 pitch from Reds starter Tim Adleman to deep center, putting the Cubs ahead 2-0. Adleman (5-5) allowed three earned runs, six hits and two homers in five innings.
In the fourth inning, Happ clubbed his 12th homer for his second career multi-home run game. He is only the third Cubs player in the past 100 seasons to have at least 11 homers in his first 45 games. Happ had a large contingent of family and friends in attendance throughout this weekend's series.
"This is home away from home, via Pittsburgh," Maddon said. "He really dropped the barrel a couple times. He can do a lot of things for us."
Happ added a broken-bat single off Blake Wood to drive in a run in the sixth to make the score 4-0. It was the third time this season he has had four RBIs in a game.
"I really like the opposite-field single, scoring a run, we need more of that," Maddon said. "He had a wonderful day, obviously."
Rizzo's towering solo home run in the seventh off Austin Brice made the score 5-0. Rizzo's 19th homer of the season landed on the roof of the home bullpen in right field.
"They were just better today," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "Arrieta was really good. He didn't give us much. We only hit a couple balls on the barrel. This homestand (winning) four out of six works. That has to be our mantra for the rest of the year -- we have to pitch better."
NOTES: The Reds haven't swept the Cubs in Cincinnati since Sept. 24-26, 1996, at Cinergy Field. ... Reds RHP Asher Wojciechowski's contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville to give them an extra bullpen arm for a seven-game road trip to Colorado. . . . Arizona. RHP Jackson Stephens, who posted his first major league victory on Saturday, was optioned to Triple-A. LHP Brandon Finnegan was moved to the 60-day disabled list. ... Cubs RF Ben Zobrist made his first start since coming off the disabled list and went 0-for-4.
Votto went 1-for-3 against Arrieta with a strikeout but managed to do something against him no other Reds batter could -- get a hit.
Arrieta allowed only a single by Votto through seven innings, Ian Happ homered twice and Anthony Rizzo added a solo shot, helping the Chicago Cubs avoid a sweep with a 6-2 victory over the Cincinnatio Reds.
Arrieta, pitching in Great American Ball Park where he hurled a no-hitter on April 21, 2016, looked unhittable at times during his seven frames. He retired 10 straight in one stretch and 19 of the final 20 batters he faced.
"Votto did not have good at-bats against him, that tells me his stuff was very good," Maddon said. "That was as good as we've seen Jake in a bit. If he keeps pitching with that command, the confidence is going to come up. I was just watching their hitters react."
The Cubs' offensive star was Happ, who, while starring at the University of Cincinnati, regularly attended games at Great American Ball Park and even played there once against the University of Louisville in 2013. On Sunday, Happ went 3-for-4 with two homers and tied a career high with four RBIs.
"I feel good about how I've been swinging the bat the past couple weeks," Happ said. "I've had some pretty good ABs. I'm just trying to go out there and play good baseball and compete every day."
The victory helped Chicago (41-41) avoid its first three-game sweep in Cincinnati since 1996. The Cubs have beaten the Reds in 24 of the past 31 meetings.
"Two thumbs up," Maddon said when asked about going 5-6 on the road trip. "The hitting has fluctuated. The pitching has fluctuated. Everybody's doing their part which is why we're .500. But, we're getting guys back (healthy). Impressed with how we continue to fight."
Cubs second baseman Javier Baez, who entered Sunday's game 1-for-16, went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
Votto's two-out single in the first inning was the only hit allowed by Arrieta (8-6), who had two walks and six strikeouts in 100 pitches.
Arrieta credited an improved changeup on Sunday that helped him avoid the command issues he has experienced throughout the season.
"Getting more comfortable with it," Arrieta said. "It's opening up some doors, allowing me to do some more things. It's a big pitch for me. The two walks, I'm OK with that, as long as I can swing things back in my favor with some quick outs."
Votto's two-run single in the eighth -- his 1,499th career hit -- off Koji Uehara, made the score 6-2 and raised his average to a season-high .317. But the Reds couldn't mount a rally.
In the second, Happ launched a 2-2 pitch from Reds starter Tim Adleman to deep center, putting the Cubs ahead 2-0. Adleman (5-5) allowed three earned runs, six hits and two homers in five innings.
In the fourth inning, Happ clubbed his 12th homer for his second career multi-home run game. He is only the third Cubs player in the past 100 seasons to have at least 11 homers in his first 45 games. Happ had a large contingent of family and friends in attendance throughout this weekend's series.
"This is home away from home, via Pittsburgh," Maddon said. "He really dropped the barrel a couple times. He can do a lot of things for us."
Happ added a broken-bat single off Blake Wood to drive in a run in the sixth to make the score 4-0. It was the third time this season he has had four RBIs in a game.
"I really like the opposite-field single, scoring a run, we need more of that," Maddon said. "He had a wonderful day, obviously."
Rizzo's towering solo home run in the seventh off Austin Brice made the score 5-0. Rizzo's 19th homer of the season landed on the roof of the home bullpen in right field.
"They were just better today," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "Arrieta was really good. He didn't give us much. We only hit a couple balls on the barrel. This homestand (winning) four out of six works. That has to be our mantra for the rest of the year -- we have to pitch better."
NOTES: The Reds haven't swept the Cubs in Cincinnati since Sept. 24-26, 1996, at Cinergy Field. ... Reds RHP Asher Wojciechowski's contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville to give them an extra bullpen arm for a seven-game road trip to Colorado. . . . Arizona. RHP Jackson Stephens, who posted his first major league victory on Saturday, was optioned to Triple-A. LHP Brandon Finnegan was moved to the 60-day disabled list. ... Cubs RF Ben Zobrist made his first start since coming off the disabled list and went 0-for-4.
Correa, Gurriel help carry Astros past Yankees
(TSX / STATS) -- HOUSTON -- Ascendant shortstop Carlos Correa now has All-Star credentials, but what makes the Houston Astros so dangerous offensively is the impressive depth of their lineup, one that features the likes of first baseman Yuli Gurriel batting eighth.
Correa had a career-high-tying four hits, Gurriel chipped in with his second consecutive three-hit game and a weary bullpen worked wonders in the Astros' 8-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
Correa recorded two singles and a pair of doubles, including one with two outs in the fourth inning that plated two runs, and Gurriel fell a triple shy of the cycle as the Astros (56-27) claimed the rubber match of the three-game series.
Gurriel scored three runs and clubbed his 10th homer of the season and second of the series in the seventh. He became the eighth Houston player to reach double figures in home runs by the All-Star break, a club record.
"When he's swinging the bat like he has recently, it's pretty scary to have that good a hitter that low in the order," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said of Gurriel, who closed the series 6-for-12 with four runs and six RBIs. "He's dangerous, and when he gets hot, as we can see, he can put some really good swings on balls.
"It's a great advantage for us because you don't have an inning where you can breathe as a pitcher when you face us, and I think we're demonstrating that time and time again."
Astros right-hander Mike Fiers labored with his control and efficiency, needing 105 pitches to complete four scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and posted seven strikeouts but issued four walks and subsequently put the onus on an overworked bullpen to keep the Yankees (43-37) at bay over the final five innings.
The relievers obliged.
Right-handers Chris Devenski (5-3) and Michael Feliz combined to work three perfect innings with five strikeouts. Right-hander James Hoyt surrendered hits to Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the eighth, snapping a string of 15 consecutive batters retired, but rallied with a pair of flyouts to right for a scoreless frame.
"Yeah it's been tough, but at the end of the day we've got to go out there and do our job," Devenski said of the heavy workload. "And find a way to get it done."
The Yankees averted the shutout, which would have been their first this season, when Chris Carter followed a leadoff double by Chase Headley with an RBI single off Astros southpaw Ashur Tolliver in the ninth. Dayan Diaz, fresh off his first career win on Saturday, induced a double play before striking out Brett Gardner.
In the second inning, Houston third baseman Marwin Gonzalez broke the scoreless tie with a two-run homer, his career-high 14th, off Yankees starter Luis Severino (5-4). Correa upped the lead to 5-0 with his double in the fourth before adding an RBI single in the sixth inning that plated George Springer and built the lead to 6-0.
Severino allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk over 5 1/3 innings.
"It's difficult," Severino said. "Right now, that's the hottest team in baseball. You have to command your pitches. It'd be easier if my fastball command was there and my slider was working."
The Astros completed the season series against the Yankees by winning five of seven games. The Yankees finished 3-4 on their road trip.
"We're in a frustrating part of our year, but I think this week is really important for us at home to turn things around and win some games we're supposed to," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.
NOTES: Yankees RHP Adam Warren threw a simulated game on Sunday and is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday when the Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays. Warren landed on the DL on June 16 with right shoulder inflammation. ... The Astros recalled LHP Ashur Tolliver from Triple-A Fresno for the purpose of having an additional arm for their exhausted bullpen. Houston had nine relievers listed on their roster. ... Yankees LHP CC Sabathia will be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday and will start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Sabathia has been sidelined since June 15 with a left hamstring strain. ... Astros SS Carlos Correa declined an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby during All-Star week. Correa entered Sunday leading major league shortstops with 17 home runs.
Pivetta pitches Phillies past Mets
(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- Nick Pivetta officially used up his rookie eligibility status Sunday afternoon, when the Philadelphia Phillies right-hander appropriately took a big step forward in his major-league development.
Pivetta bounced back from the shortest start of his career by earning the win with seven innings of one-hit ball as the Phillies routed the New York Mets 7-1 to salvage the finale of a three-game series at Citi Field.
Pivetta (2-4) carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, when he gave up a one-out homer to T.J. Rivera. He lasted seven innings for the second time in 10 starts. He finished the game with 52 innings pitched, two more than the maximum allowed to maintain rookie eligibility in future seasons, while walking four and striking out four.
Afterward, Pivetta said he wasn't thinking about a no-hitter as the game reached the middle innings.
"I knew that there were no hits in the first inning, second inning, third inning, fourth inning -- not hard to know that, it's right there on the scoreboard," Pivetta said with a grin. "I was just focused on getting a quality start in (and) helping my team win. I hung a breaking ball and he hit it out. That's why those things are so hard to do, because it's one thing. Those guys are so good at their job. You have to be perfect to do anything."
Pivetta was decidedly imperfect in his previous start last Monday, when he took the loss after allowing a career-high six runs in 2 2/3 innings as the Phillies fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1.
"A veteran pitcher will have a bad start now and then -- they know what to do, or know how to cope with it, because they have to wait for five more days," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "A young pitcher needs to learn how to do that. And he certainly showed that he learned something from his last outing."
Pivetta said a talk in the outfield during a batting practice session earlier this week with fellow rookie pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. helped him refocus.
"There wasn't a whole lot of emphasis on (the poor start)," Pivetta said. "Just, you're a professional, go out there and do better than you did last time."
The Phillies produced all the offense they needed during an unusual four-run second inning. Mets right-hander Rafael Montero opened the inning by giving up three hits in as many pitches to Tommy Joseph (single), Nick Williams (single) and Maikel Franco (two-run double). Franco advanced to third on a bunt by Ty Kelly and scored on Andrew Knapp's single.
Knapp advanced on a sacrifice by Pivetta before scoring all the way from second on a wild pitch that Mets catcher Rene Rivera had a hard time retrieving. The race home highlighted an active week on the base paths for the rookie catcher, who recorded his first career stolen base and triple on Friday and added an infield single later Sunday.
"The way we've been playing, we need all the bases we can get," Knapp said of the Phillies (27-53), who avoided being swept for the 11th time this season.
The Phillies added three runs in the eighth on a pinch-hit RBI single by Brock Stassi and a two-run single by Daniel Nava, who finished with three hits.
Matt Reynolds singled in the eighth for the other hit by the Mets (38-43), who lost for just the second time in nine games.
Montero (1-5) allowed four runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out six in 6 1/3 innings.
"We didn't get any hits," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "(Montero) gave us a chance to get back in that game. We just didn't do it."
Outside of the second inning, the Phillies got just two runners into scoring position against Montero.
"I had one bad inning where I looked bad," Montero said through an interpreter. "After that, I did the adjustments and I ended well."
NOTES: Mets OF Curtis Granderson (hip) did not play. Granderson, one of just four Mets Opening Day starters to avoid the disabled list this season, said he still felt sore while warming up for a possible pinch-hitting appearance. He is day-to-day. ... The Mets had two hits or fewer for the third time this season. They were one-hit by the Miami Marlins on May 7 and two-hit by the Washington Nationals on April 22. ... Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez (right flexor strain) made his first rehab start Saturday, allowing one run in two innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. ... The Phillies played the 10th game in a 20-game span in which no consecutive games start at the same time. The Phillies aren't scheduled to start consecutive games at the same time until July 17-18 at the Marlins (7:10 p.m. ET).
Pivetta bounced back from the shortest start of his career by earning the win with seven innings of one-hit ball as the Phillies routed the New York Mets 7-1 to salvage the finale of a three-game series at Citi Field.
Pivetta (2-4) carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, when he gave up a one-out homer to T.J. Rivera. He lasted seven innings for the second time in 10 starts. He finished the game with 52 innings pitched, two more than the maximum allowed to maintain rookie eligibility in future seasons, while walking four and striking out four.
Afterward, Pivetta said he wasn't thinking about a no-hitter as the game reached the middle innings.
"I knew that there were no hits in the first inning, second inning, third inning, fourth inning -- not hard to know that, it's right there on the scoreboard," Pivetta said with a grin. "I was just focused on getting a quality start in (and) helping my team win. I hung a breaking ball and he hit it out. That's why those things are so hard to do, because it's one thing. Those guys are so good at their job. You have to be perfect to do anything."
Pivetta was decidedly imperfect in his previous start last Monday, when he took the loss after allowing a career-high six runs in 2 2/3 innings as the Phillies fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1.
"A veteran pitcher will have a bad start now and then -- they know what to do, or know how to cope with it, because they have to wait for five more days," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "A young pitcher needs to learn how to do that. And he certainly showed that he learned something from his last outing."
Pivetta said a talk in the outfield during a batting practice session earlier this week with fellow rookie pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. helped him refocus.
"There wasn't a whole lot of emphasis on (the poor start)," Pivetta said. "Just, you're a professional, go out there and do better than you did last time."
The Phillies produced all the offense they needed during an unusual four-run second inning. Mets right-hander Rafael Montero opened the inning by giving up three hits in as many pitches to Tommy Joseph (single), Nick Williams (single) and Maikel Franco (two-run double). Franco advanced to third on a bunt by Ty Kelly and scored on Andrew Knapp's single.
Knapp advanced on a sacrifice by Pivetta before scoring all the way from second on a wild pitch that Mets catcher Rene Rivera had a hard time retrieving. The race home highlighted an active week on the base paths for the rookie catcher, who recorded his first career stolen base and triple on Friday and added an infield single later Sunday.
"The way we've been playing, we need all the bases we can get," Knapp said of the Phillies (27-53), who avoided being swept for the 11th time this season.
The Phillies added three runs in the eighth on a pinch-hit RBI single by Brock Stassi and a two-run single by Daniel Nava, who finished with three hits.
Matt Reynolds singled in the eighth for the other hit by the Mets (38-43), who lost for just the second time in nine games.
Montero (1-5) allowed four runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out six in 6 1/3 innings.
"We didn't get any hits," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "(Montero) gave us a chance to get back in that game. We just didn't do it."
Outside of the second inning, the Phillies got just two runners into scoring position against Montero.
"I had one bad inning where I looked bad," Montero said through an interpreter. "After that, I did the adjustments and I ended well."
NOTES: Mets OF Curtis Granderson (hip) did not play. Granderson, one of just four Mets Opening Day starters to avoid the disabled list this season, said he still felt sore while warming up for a possible pinch-hitting appearance. He is day-to-day. ... The Mets had two hits or fewer for the third time this season. They were one-hit by the Miami Marlins on May 7 and two-hit by the Washington Nationals on April 22. ... Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez (right flexor strain) made his first rehab start Saturday, allowing one run in two innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. ... The Phillies played the 10th game in a 20-game span in which no consecutive games start at the same time. The Phillies aren't scheduled to start consecutive games at the same time until July 17-18 at the Marlins (7:10 p.m. ET).
Betts explodes for 8 RBIs as Red Sox clobber Blue Jays
(TSX / STATS) -- TORONTO -- Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox were hot, and the Toronto Blue Jays were not, as both teams continued to travel in opposite directions.
Betts belted two home runs and matched his career best with eight RBIs Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox trounced the Blue Jays 15-1 to complete a sweep of the three-game series.
Betts had three-run and two-run homers, a two-run single and an RBI single as the Red Sox won their fourth game in a row.
"Today felt pretty good," Betts said. "I got some good pitches to hit and just tried to put a good swing on it and hope for the best. When you get to the plate, you're just expecting a good pitch to hit and you're ready for it. Today I was just more ready than other days."
Hanley Ramirez added three hits, including a two-run homer, and three RBIs for the Red Sox (47-35), who outhit the Blue Jays 21-5.
"The way Hanley has swung the bat in the middle of the order, that's a major presence for us," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
Drew Pomeranz (8-4) allowed five hits, two walks and one run in six innings to win his second straight start.
"He's been strong, he's been very consistent," Farrell said. "His presence and way he's gone about these last 10 starts in particular have been strong."
Pomeranz has a 3.57 ERA in his past nine starts.
Fernando Abad replaced Pomeranz in the seventh and allowed one walk in three innings to pick up his first save of the season.
The Blue Jays (37-44) completed a six-game homestand with one win. They've lost four in a row.
"We're not hitting, really, it's pretty obvious," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "We've been cold the last few days, it'll change."
Blue Jays starter Joe Biagini (2-8) allowed two homers among 10 hits, two walks and seven runs while striking out seven in 5 1/3 innings. His ERA climbed to 5.03.
"There were times when he was really, really good today," Gibbons said. "He was getting ahead of guys, then it was like he was trying to make that perfect pitch and the count swings back in their favor. Betts burned him a couple of times. He did the damage."
Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin said, "We played hard, they were just better than us today. I don't see it as rock bottom or anything like that. Today is just a day where it didn't go our way. They found holes, they battled tough with two strikes, they made us work.
"We didn't play well today, we really didn't have a good series at all. We got outplayed. So we've got to bounce back, head to New York (for a series against the Yankees), forget about this stuff and get ready for the next game."
The Red Sox scored a run in the first inning on a pair of two-out walks and an RBI single by Ramirez that extended his hitting streak to seven games.
They scored another run in the second inning on a triple by Tzu-Wei Lin and a single by Betts.
A sacrifice fly by Steve Pearce gave Toronto a run in the second. It scored Justin Smoak, who led off with a single, moved to second on a walk to Kendrys Morales and took third when Troy Tulowitzki flied out to center.
Lin and Deven Marrero bunted for singles to open the fourth and Betts homered to put Boston into a 5-1 lead.
Betts hit his 15th homer of the season after Marrero singled to make the score 7-1.
Aaron Loup replaced Biagini and completed the sixth before Glenn Sparkman took over for the seventh inning.
Sparkman coughed up seven hits and seven runs in one-third of an inning.
He allowed three singles followed by a two-run double by Marrero, his third hit of the game, a two-run single by Betts, and RBI doubles by Andrew Benintendi and Dustin Pedroia.
Jeff Beliveau replaced Sparkman and allowed the 12th homer of the season by Ramirez.
NOTES: Boston SS Xander Bogaerts (left groin tightness) was a late scratch from the lineup and was listed as day to day. ... Boston manager John Farrell returned after watching his son Luke's major league pitching debut Saturday with the Royals in Kansas City. ... Boston traded minor league 1B Nick Longhi to the Cincinnati Reds for international amateur signing bonus pool space. ... Toronto acquired minor league OF Eduard Pinto from the Texas Rangers for RHP Jason Grilli, who had been designated for assignment, and cash considerations. ... Boston RHP Rick Porcello (4-10, 5.06 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game series Monday against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Texas had not named a starter. ... Toronto opens a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Monday with RHP Marcus Stroman (8-4, 3.41) facing Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka (6-7, 5.56).
Betts belted two home runs and matched his career best with eight RBIs Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox trounced the Blue Jays 15-1 to complete a sweep of the three-game series.
Betts had three-run and two-run homers, a two-run single and an RBI single as the Red Sox won their fourth game in a row.
"Today felt pretty good," Betts said. "I got some good pitches to hit and just tried to put a good swing on it and hope for the best. When you get to the plate, you're just expecting a good pitch to hit and you're ready for it. Today I was just more ready than other days."
Hanley Ramirez added three hits, including a two-run homer, and three RBIs for the Red Sox (47-35), who outhit the Blue Jays 21-5.
"The way Hanley has swung the bat in the middle of the order, that's a major presence for us," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
Drew Pomeranz (8-4) allowed five hits, two walks and one run in six innings to win his second straight start.
"He's been strong, he's been very consistent," Farrell said. "His presence and way he's gone about these last 10 starts in particular have been strong."
Pomeranz has a 3.57 ERA in his past nine starts.
Fernando Abad replaced Pomeranz in the seventh and allowed one walk in three innings to pick up his first save of the season.
The Blue Jays (37-44) completed a six-game homestand with one win. They've lost four in a row.
"We're not hitting, really, it's pretty obvious," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "We've been cold the last few days, it'll change."
Blue Jays starter Joe Biagini (2-8) allowed two homers among 10 hits, two walks and seven runs while striking out seven in 5 1/3 innings. His ERA climbed to 5.03.
"There were times when he was really, really good today," Gibbons said. "He was getting ahead of guys, then it was like he was trying to make that perfect pitch and the count swings back in their favor. Betts burned him a couple of times. He did the damage."
Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin said, "We played hard, they were just better than us today. I don't see it as rock bottom or anything like that. Today is just a day where it didn't go our way. They found holes, they battled tough with two strikes, they made us work.
"We didn't play well today, we really didn't have a good series at all. We got outplayed. So we've got to bounce back, head to New York (for a series against the Yankees), forget about this stuff and get ready for the next game."
The Red Sox scored a run in the first inning on a pair of two-out walks and an RBI single by Ramirez that extended his hitting streak to seven games.
They scored another run in the second inning on a triple by Tzu-Wei Lin and a single by Betts.
A sacrifice fly by Steve Pearce gave Toronto a run in the second. It scored Justin Smoak, who led off with a single, moved to second on a walk to Kendrys Morales and took third when Troy Tulowitzki flied out to center.
Lin and Deven Marrero bunted for singles to open the fourth and Betts homered to put Boston into a 5-1 lead.
Betts hit his 15th homer of the season after Marrero singled to make the score 7-1.
Aaron Loup replaced Biagini and completed the sixth before Glenn Sparkman took over for the seventh inning.
Sparkman coughed up seven hits and seven runs in one-third of an inning.
He allowed three singles followed by a two-run double by Marrero, his third hit of the game, a two-run single by Betts, and RBI doubles by Andrew Benintendi and Dustin Pedroia.
Jeff Beliveau replaced Sparkman and allowed the 12th homer of the season by Ramirez.
NOTES: Boston SS Xander Bogaerts (left groin tightness) was a late scratch from the lineup and was listed as day to day. ... Boston manager John Farrell returned after watching his son Luke's major league pitching debut Saturday with the Royals in Kansas City. ... Boston traded minor league 1B Nick Longhi to the Cincinnati Reds for international amateur signing bonus pool space. ... Toronto acquired minor league OF Eduard Pinto from the Texas Rangers for RHP Jason Grilli, who had been designated for assignment, and cash considerations. ... Boston RHP Rick Porcello (4-10, 5.06 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game series Monday against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Texas had not named a starter. ... Toronto opens a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Monday with RHP Marcus Stroman (8-4, 3.41) facing Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka (6-7, 5.56).
Baseball Capsules (July 3, 2017)
CINCINNATI (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched one-hit ball for seven innings without allowing a stolen base, and Ian Happ homered twice in the ballpark where he played as a college star, leading Chicago past Cincinnati.
Arrieta (8-6) was coming off a subpar performance that created friction and a surprise move. The Nationals stole seven bases off Arrieta during their 6-1 win on Tuesday, and catcher Miguel Montero complained afterward about the pitcher's move to the plate with runners on base. Montero was cut loose the following day.
Back in the ballpark where he threw a no-hitter last season, Arrieta was back in form, allowing only Joey Votto's first-inning single and a pair of walks — the Reds were never in position to try to steal.
Happ hit a two-run homer and a solo shot off Tim Adleman (5-5), and added an RBI single.
Anthony Rizzo also had a solo homer, and Javier Baez doubled home a run.
NATIONALS 7, CARDINALS 2
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Bryce Harper homered twice against Carlos Martinez, Max Scherzer struck out 12 over seven scoreless innings and Washington beat St. Louis.
Harper also doubled and had four RBIs to pace Washington, which snapped a three-game skid and had lost five of seven.
The Cardinals had won four straight and six of seven overall, including series victories over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Nationals.
Scherzer (10-5) allowed two hits and two walks while lowering his major league-leading ERA to 1.94. Scherzer's double-digit strikeout performance was his 10th this season and 59th of his career.
Martinez (6-7) entered the game ranked fourth in the NL in ERA but allowed five runs in five innings.
ASTROS 8, YANKEES 1
HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel finished a triple shy of the cycle, Carlos Correa tied a career-high with four hits and had three RBIs, and Houston handed New York its 14th loss in 19 games.
Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in a three-run second off Luis Severino (5-4) as the Astros improved the best record in the major leagues to 56-27. Houston had 14 hits, including seven doubles, and went 6 for 17 with runners in scoring position.
New York, which led the AL East by four games on June 13, lost two of three to the Astros and dropped three games behind division-leading Boston.
Chris Devenski (5-3) pitched two perfect innings in relief to get the win.
INDIANS 11, TIGERS 8
DETROIT (AP) — Jose Ramirez homered twice, and Cleveland snapped Justin Verlander's decade-long streak of games with at least one strikeout, chasing the Detroit star in the fourth inning.
Verlander (5-5) had struck out a batter in 331 consecutive appearances and was tied with Curt Schilling for the sixth-longest streak since 1913. He hadn't gone without a strikeout since April 28, 2007, when he lasted only three innings against Minnesota.
On Sunday, he allowed seven runs and nine hits with three walks in 3 1/3 innings.
Mike Clevinger (4-3) allowed a run and two hits in six innings. He walked five and struck out seven.
The Indians held on after Detroit scored six runs in the ninth inning, including homers by James McCann and Nicholas Castellanos. Cody Allen retired the final batter for his 16th save in 17 chances.
DIAMONDBACKS 4, ROCKIES 3
PHOENIX (AP) — Ketel Marte lined a run-scoring single in the ninth inning and Arizona overcame the first earned run allowed by Fernando Rodney in 21 games.
Rodney (2-2) had his hitless outings streak end at 11 with three straight singles in the ninth inning, including Charlie Blackmon's tying hit. Rodney got a pair of pop ups with two on to end the inning.
Brandon Drury hit a one-out single in the bottom half and Chris Iannetta followed with a double off Adam Ottavino (1-3). Marte fell into a 1-2 hole against Chris Rusin before lining a one-hopper off the wall, sending the Diamondbacks rushing out of the dugout to mob him.
Chris Owings hit a two-run homer and Drury had three hits for Arizona, off to the best start in franchise history at 52-31.
Colorado has lost 10 of 11.
PADRES 5, DODGERS 3
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jhoulys Chacin pitched five scoreless innings, Manuel Margot homered and drove in two runs, and San Diego got a rare victory over the Dodgers.
The Padres lost seven of the first eight meetings with the Dodgers this season but defeated Kenta Maeda (6-4) for the second time in 13 weeks.
San Diego went ahead 5-0 against Maeda while Chacin (7-7) was recording his second scoreless outing in 17 starts this year.
Chacin, who struck out six, retired cleanup hitter Cody Bellinger three times with a man on base, twice on strikes and once on a 2-0 pitch with two runners aboard.
Brandon Mauer got the last three outs for his 16th save.
BRAVES 4, ATHLETICS 3, 12 INNINGS
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kurt Suzuki led off the 12th inning with his second home run of the game, helping Atlanta complete a three-game sweep.
One inning after closer Jim Johnson got his sixth blown save, Suzuki lined a shot to left on a 3-1 pitch from John Axford (0-1). Suzuki also homered off starter Sean Manaea to begin the second.
It's the third multihomer of Suzuki's career and first since 2011 when he was with Oakland. The veteran catcher had not gone deep against his previous club until these homers helped Atlanta finish its six-game West Coast trip on a positive note after a rocky beginning.
Johnson (6-1) got the win despite three walks, and Arodys Vizcaino retired three batters for his second save. Vizcaino got Franklin Barreto to fly out with two runners on to end it.
PHILLIES 7, METS 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Nick Pivetta allowed one hit in seven impressive innings for his second major league win, and Philadelphia stopped the New York Mets' four-game winning streak.
Maikel Franco had a two-run double in a four-run second aided by a pair of sacrifice bunts. Rookie catcher Andrew Knapp added an RBI single and dashed home from second on a wild pitch by Rafael Montero.
Leadoff man Daniel Nava had three hits and two RBIs to help the major league-worst Phillies prevent a three-game sweep and finish their 4-5 road trip on a positive note. Philadelphia outhit the Mets 12-2.
Making his 10th major league start, Pivetta (2-4) permitted only T.J. Rivera's home run on an 81 mph slider with one out in the fifth. He struck out four and walked four.
ORIOLES 7, RAYS 1
BALTIMORE (AP) — Manny Machado hit a three-run homer, Kevin Gausman pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and Baltimore avoided a three-game sweep.
Mark Trumbo also homered and Seth Smith had two RBIs for the Orioles, playing their final home game until July 14.
Gausman (5-7) struck out nine and walked two in the finest of his 18 starts this season. The right-hander allowed only one runner past first base in lowering his ERA from 6.07 to 5.61.
Jesus Sucre ended Baltimore's shutout bid with an eighth-inning homer off Mychal Givens.
Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb (6-6) gave up seven runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings.
RED SOX 15, BLUE JAYS 1
TORONTO (AP) — Mookie Betts hit two home runs and matched a career-high with eight RBIs to help Boston rout Toronto.
Betts went 4 for 6 as AL East-leading Boston won for the sixth time in seven games, completing the three-game sweep. He hit an RBI single in the second, a three-run homer in the fourth, a two-run blast in the sixth, and a two-run single in the seventh. It was the second multihomer game of the season for Betts, who also hit two at Philadelphia on June 14. Betts had eight RBIs against Arizona on Aug. 14, 2016.
Drew Pomeranz (8-4) pitched six innings for his third straight road win.
Hanley Ramirez had three hits, including a two-run homer, as the Red Sox collected a season-high 21 hits.
Joe Biagini (2-8) took the loss as he was chased in the sixth inning by Betts' second homer.
GIANTS 5, PIRATES 3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brandon Belt started San Francisco's comeback with an RBI single in a three-run seventh inning, then added a two-run homer in the eighth as the Giants got their season-high sixth straight win.
Jordy Mercer's two-run homer in the third off Jeff Samardzija (4-9) put the Pirates ahead.
Trevor Williams took a two-hit shutout into the seventh, when Hunter Pence walked leading off and Buster Posey doubled. Belt and Brandon Crawford hit consecutive run-scoring singles off left-hander Tony Watson (4-2), and Kelby Tomlinson's sacrifice fly gave San Francisco a 3-2 lead.
Belt homered in the eighth off Edgar Santana, his 16th this season.
ROYALS 6, TWINS 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alcides Escobar had two hits and two RBIs and Scott Alexander picked up his first major league victory for Kansas City.
The Royals have won 15 of 21 games to move a game above .500 and into a tie with the Twins for second place in the American League Central.
Escobar went 7-for-16 with four extra-base hits, including a home run, with seven RBIs and scored four runs in the four-game series to raised his average 50 points since June 13.
Travis Wood, making his first start since Sept. 19, 2015, after 108 relief appearances, was removed in the fifth after facing three batters and retiring none. Brian Dozier and Robbie Grossman had RBI-singles in the inning.
Alexander (1-2) replaced Wood and induced Eduardo Escobar to ground into an inning ending double play with the bases loaded.
Hector Santiago (4-8) was charged with four runs and four hits, a hit batter and a walk in 3 1/3 innings.
MARLINS 10, BREWERS 3
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Marcell Ozuna hit two home runs — the second moments after having his bat thrown out for having too much pine tar on it — and Miami beat Milwaukee.
The sticky situation began in the seventh, when Brewers second baseman Jonathan Villar had his bat tossed from the game for the same issue by plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.
Wendelstedt also checked Ozuna's bat to start the eighth and told him to get a new one. Ozuna did, and deposited his 22nd homer of the season into the bleachers in left.
Marlins starter Dan Straily (6-4) allowed solo home runs to Eric Thames and Orlando Arcia. Derek Dietrich also homered for Miami.
Brewers starter Junior Guerra (1-3) took the loss.
WHITE SOX 6, RANGERS 5
CHICAGO (AP) — Yolmer Sanchez hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth to rally Chicago past Texas.
The Rangers had the bases loaded in the ninth, but David Robertson (4-2) struck out Carlos Gomez to end the game.
Todd Frazier walked with one out in the eighth and, two batters later, Sanchez drove the ball to right-center off Texas reliever Jose Leclerc (1-2) for his fourth homer of the season. It handed the Rangers bullpen its American League-leading 17th blown save.
Jonathan Lucroy had given the Rangers a 5-4 lead with a two-run single in the fifth.
Melky Cabrera also homered for Chicago, and Mike Napoli hit his 16th for Texas.
MARINERS 5, ANGELS 3
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and James Paxton retired the first 16 hitters he faced in Seattle's win over Los Angeles.
Paxton (6-3) continued his career-long dominance of the Angels, throwing 6 1/3 innings of two-hit ball in his best start since missing most of May with a forearm strain. The left-hander has a career 2.04 ERA against the Halos, the second-best among active pitchers.
Jean Segura had four hits and drove in two runs as the Mariners took two of three from their AL West rivals.
Danny Espinosa got the Angels' first hit off Paxton in the sixth, and Yunel Escobar chased him with an RBI single in the seventh inning of Los Angeles' third loss in four games.
Jesse Chavez (5-9) yielded just four hits and two runs over five innings in his fifth consecutive winless start for the Angels.
Arrieta (8-6) was coming off a subpar performance that created friction and a surprise move. The Nationals stole seven bases off Arrieta during their 6-1 win on Tuesday, and catcher Miguel Montero complained afterward about the pitcher's move to the plate with runners on base. Montero was cut loose the following day.
Back in the ballpark where he threw a no-hitter last season, Arrieta was back in form, allowing only Joey Votto's first-inning single and a pair of walks — the Reds were never in position to try to steal.
Happ hit a two-run homer and a solo shot off Tim Adleman (5-5), and added an RBI single.
Anthony Rizzo also had a solo homer, and Javier Baez doubled home a run.
NATIONALS 7, CARDINALS 2
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Bryce Harper homered twice against Carlos Martinez, Max Scherzer struck out 12 over seven scoreless innings and Washington beat St. Louis.
Harper also doubled and had four RBIs to pace Washington, which snapped a three-game skid and had lost five of seven.
The Cardinals had won four straight and six of seven overall, including series victories over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Nationals.
Scherzer (10-5) allowed two hits and two walks while lowering his major league-leading ERA to 1.94. Scherzer's double-digit strikeout performance was his 10th this season and 59th of his career.
Martinez (6-7) entered the game ranked fourth in the NL in ERA but allowed five runs in five innings.
ASTROS 8, YANKEES 1
HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel finished a triple shy of the cycle, Carlos Correa tied a career-high with four hits and had three RBIs, and Houston handed New York its 14th loss in 19 games.
Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in a three-run second off Luis Severino (5-4) as the Astros improved the best record in the major leagues to 56-27. Houston had 14 hits, including seven doubles, and went 6 for 17 with runners in scoring position.
New York, which led the AL East by four games on June 13, lost two of three to the Astros and dropped three games behind division-leading Boston.
Chris Devenski (5-3) pitched two perfect innings in relief to get the win.
INDIANS 11, TIGERS 8
DETROIT (AP) — Jose Ramirez homered twice, and Cleveland snapped Justin Verlander's decade-long streak of games with at least one strikeout, chasing the Detroit star in the fourth inning.
Verlander (5-5) had struck out a batter in 331 consecutive appearances and was tied with Curt Schilling for the sixth-longest streak since 1913. He hadn't gone without a strikeout since April 28, 2007, when he lasted only three innings against Minnesota.
On Sunday, he allowed seven runs and nine hits with three walks in 3 1/3 innings.
Mike Clevinger (4-3) allowed a run and two hits in six innings. He walked five and struck out seven.
The Indians held on after Detroit scored six runs in the ninth inning, including homers by James McCann and Nicholas Castellanos. Cody Allen retired the final batter for his 16th save in 17 chances.
DIAMONDBACKS 4, ROCKIES 3
PHOENIX (AP) — Ketel Marte lined a run-scoring single in the ninth inning and Arizona overcame the first earned run allowed by Fernando Rodney in 21 games.
Rodney (2-2) had his hitless outings streak end at 11 with three straight singles in the ninth inning, including Charlie Blackmon's tying hit. Rodney got a pair of pop ups with two on to end the inning.
Brandon Drury hit a one-out single in the bottom half and Chris Iannetta followed with a double off Adam Ottavino (1-3). Marte fell into a 1-2 hole against Chris Rusin before lining a one-hopper off the wall, sending the Diamondbacks rushing out of the dugout to mob him.
Chris Owings hit a two-run homer and Drury had three hits for Arizona, off to the best start in franchise history at 52-31.
Colorado has lost 10 of 11.
PADRES 5, DODGERS 3
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jhoulys Chacin pitched five scoreless innings, Manuel Margot homered and drove in two runs, and San Diego got a rare victory over the Dodgers.
The Padres lost seven of the first eight meetings with the Dodgers this season but defeated Kenta Maeda (6-4) for the second time in 13 weeks.
San Diego went ahead 5-0 against Maeda while Chacin (7-7) was recording his second scoreless outing in 17 starts this year.
Chacin, who struck out six, retired cleanup hitter Cody Bellinger three times with a man on base, twice on strikes and once on a 2-0 pitch with two runners aboard.
Brandon Mauer got the last three outs for his 16th save.
BRAVES 4, ATHLETICS 3, 12 INNINGS
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kurt Suzuki led off the 12th inning with his second home run of the game, helping Atlanta complete a three-game sweep.
One inning after closer Jim Johnson got his sixth blown save, Suzuki lined a shot to left on a 3-1 pitch from John Axford (0-1). Suzuki also homered off starter Sean Manaea to begin the second.
It's the third multihomer of Suzuki's career and first since 2011 when he was with Oakland. The veteran catcher had not gone deep against his previous club until these homers helped Atlanta finish its six-game West Coast trip on a positive note after a rocky beginning.
Johnson (6-1) got the win despite three walks, and Arodys Vizcaino retired three batters for his second save. Vizcaino got Franklin Barreto to fly out with two runners on to end it.
PHILLIES 7, METS 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Nick Pivetta allowed one hit in seven impressive innings for his second major league win, and Philadelphia stopped the New York Mets' four-game winning streak.
Maikel Franco had a two-run double in a four-run second aided by a pair of sacrifice bunts. Rookie catcher Andrew Knapp added an RBI single and dashed home from second on a wild pitch by Rafael Montero.
Leadoff man Daniel Nava had three hits and two RBIs to help the major league-worst Phillies prevent a three-game sweep and finish their 4-5 road trip on a positive note. Philadelphia outhit the Mets 12-2.
Making his 10th major league start, Pivetta (2-4) permitted only T.J. Rivera's home run on an 81 mph slider with one out in the fifth. He struck out four and walked four.
ORIOLES 7, RAYS 1
BALTIMORE (AP) — Manny Machado hit a three-run homer, Kevin Gausman pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and Baltimore avoided a three-game sweep.
Mark Trumbo also homered and Seth Smith had two RBIs for the Orioles, playing their final home game until July 14.
Gausman (5-7) struck out nine and walked two in the finest of his 18 starts this season. The right-hander allowed only one runner past first base in lowering his ERA from 6.07 to 5.61.
Jesus Sucre ended Baltimore's shutout bid with an eighth-inning homer off Mychal Givens.
Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb (6-6) gave up seven runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings.
RED SOX 15, BLUE JAYS 1
TORONTO (AP) — Mookie Betts hit two home runs and matched a career-high with eight RBIs to help Boston rout Toronto.
Betts went 4 for 6 as AL East-leading Boston won for the sixth time in seven games, completing the three-game sweep. He hit an RBI single in the second, a three-run homer in the fourth, a two-run blast in the sixth, and a two-run single in the seventh. It was the second multihomer game of the season for Betts, who also hit two at Philadelphia on June 14. Betts had eight RBIs against Arizona on Aug. 14, 2016.
Drew Pomeranz (8-4) pitched six innings for his third straight road win.
Hanley Ramirez had three hits, including a two-run homer, as the Red Sox collected a season-high 21 hits.
Joe Biagini (2-8) took the loss as he was chased in the sixth inning by Betts' second homer.
GIANTS 5, PIRATES 3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brandon Belt started San Francisco's comeback with an RBI single in a three-run seventh inning, then added a two-run homer in the eighth as the Giants got their season-high sixth straight win.
Jordy Mercer's two-run homer in the third off Jeff Samardzija (4-9) put the Pirates ahead.
Trevor Williams took a two-hit shutout into the seventh, when Hunter Pence walked leading off and Buster Posey doubled. Belt and Brandon Crawford hit consecutive run-scoring singles off left-hander Tony Watson (4-2), and Kelby Tomlinson's sacrifice fly gave San Francisco a 3-2 lead.
Belt homered in the eighth off Edgar Santana, his 16th this season.
ROYALS 6, TWINS 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alcides Escobar had two hits and two RBIs and Scott Alexander picked up his first major league victory for Kansas City.
The Royals have won 15 of 21 games to move a game above .500 and into a tie with the Twins for second place in the American League Central.
Escobar went 7-for-16 with four extra-base hits, including a home run, with seven RBIs and scored four runs in the four-game series to raised his average 50 points since June 13.
Travis Wood, making his first start since Sept. 19, 2015, after 108 relief appearances, was removed in the fifth after facing three batters and retiring none. Brian Dozier and Robbie Grossman had RBI-singles in the inning.
Alexander (1-2) replaced Wood and induced Eduardo Escobar to ground into an inning ending double play with the bases loaded.
Hector Santiago (4-8) was charged with four runs and four hits, a hit batter and a walk in 3 1/3 innings.
MARLINS 10, BREWERS 3
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Marcell Ozuna hit two home runs — the second moments after having his bat thrown out for having too much pine tar on it — and Miami beat Milwaukee.
The sticky situation began in the seventh, when Brewers second baseman Jonathan Villar had his bat tossed from the game for the same issue by plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.
Wendelstedt also checked Ozuna's bat to start the eighth and told him to get a new one. Ozuna did, and deposited his 22nd homer of the season into the bleachers in left.
Marlins starter Dan Straily (6-4) allowed solo home runs to Eric Thames and Orlando Arcia. Derek Dietrich also homered for Miami.
Brewers starter Junior Guerra (1-3) took the loss.
WHITE SOX 6, RANGERS 5
CHICAGO (AP) — Yolmer Sanchez hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth to rally Chicago past Texas.
The Rangers had the bases loaded in the ninth, but David Robertson (4-2) struck out Carlos Gomez to end the game.
Todd Frazier walked with one out in the eighth and, two batters later, Sanchez drove the ball to right-center off Texas reliever Jose Leclerc (1-2) for his fourth homer of the season. It handed the Rangers bullpen its American League-leading 17th blown save.
Jonathan Lucroy had given the Rangers a 5-4 lead with a two-run single in the fifth.
Melky Cabrera also homered for Chicago, and Mike Napoli hit his 16th for Texas.
MARINERS 5, ANGELS 3
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and James Paxton retired the first 16 hitters he faced in Seattle's win over Los Angeles.
Paxton (6-3) continued his career-long dominance of the Angels, throwing 6 1/3 innings of two-hit ball in his best start since missing most of May with a forearm strain. The left-hander has a career 2.04 ERA against the Halos, the second-best among active pitchers.
Jean Segura had four hits and drove in two runs as the Mariners took two of three from their AL West rivals.
Danny Espinosa got the Angels' first hit off Paxton in the sixth, and Yunel Escobar chased him with an RBI single in the seventh inning of Los Angeles' third loss in four games.
Jesse Chavez (5-9) yielded just four hits and two runs over five innings in his fifth consecutive winless start for the Angels.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)