MLB Roundup | Thursday’s other games

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Dodgers 7, Reds 4

CINCINNATI — Matt Kemp hit a homer and a two-run double, and Eric Stults pitched into the seventh inning in his season debut to lead Los Angeles to the three-game sweep. The Dodgers arrived in town on a five-game losing streak. They hadn’t won three straight since their three-game sweep of the Reds in Los Angeles from May 19-21. Aaron Harang (3-10) became the NL’s second 10-game loser, joining San Francisco’s Barry Zito, who has lost 11. Stults (1-0), who was called up from Triple-A when Brad Penny went on the disabled list with a sore shoulder on Tuesday, took a shutout into the seventh, when an error by second baseman Jeff Kent set up a four-run rally. Stults gave up six hits and struck out a career-high five.

INTERLEAGUE

Yankees 2, Padres 1

NEW YORK — Joba Chamberlain struck out a career-high nine, Alex Rodriguez had another key hit as New York won its seventh straight victory. The Yankees set up both their runs with stolen bases and cut down Adrian Gonzalez twice at home plate in the first four innings. Mariano Rivera struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save in 20 chances, completing New York’s second consecutive three-game sweep against a National League team. New York extended its longest winning streak of the season and improved to seven games above .500 for the first time this season. Rodriguez, who homered in the previous four games, drove in the tiebreaking run in the sixth with a single off Josh Banks (2-1). Derek Jeter had singled, stole second and moved up on a grounder. The Padres have dropped five of six. Chamberlain allowed one run in 5 2‚Ñ3 innings but has yet to earn a decision in four career starts. Jose Veras (2-0) relieved Chamberlain and pitched 11‚Ñ3 innings to earn the win.

Twins 9, Nationals 3

MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Cuddyer hit a two-run triple and reached base all four times up and Glen Perkins won for the first time in five starts as Minnesota completed a three-game sweep. Perkins (3-2) gave up 10 hits in eight innings, nine were singles. The Nats left 10 runners on base and lost their 45th game of the season, more than every other team in the majors except Seattle. They scored only six runs in the series after arriving here off a three-game sweep over the Mariners. Cuddyer walked twice, doubled, scored twice and drove in two. Brian Buscher had two hits and two RBIs, giving the Twins their sixth win in eight games after a season-worst six-game losing streak. They moved above the .500 mark for the first time since June 6. Washington starter Shawn Hill (1-4) failed to finish the fourth and left with a 7-2 deficit.

Brewers 8, Blue Jays 7

MILWAUKEE — Dave Bush took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before it was broken up by the player he was traded for, and Milwaukee barely held on. Lyle Overbay opened the eighth by slicing a triple just beyond the reach of diving left fielder Ryan Braun. Bush (3-7) was dealt to the Brewers in 2005 for Overbay. Joe Inglett hit a two-out grand slam that highlighted the Blue Jays’ six-run rally in the ninth. After giving up an infield hit, Salomon Torres struck out Matt Stairs for his 10th save to complete the Brewers’ sweep. Russell Branyan hit his third homer in three days, a three-run shot, and Prince Fielder had the second inside-the-park homer of his career as the Brewers built an 8-0 lead. Bush, who began the game with a team-high 5.73 ERA, retired the first 15 Blue Jays before walking Gregg Zaun to open the sixth. Bush gave up two hits, struck out two and walked one in eight innings.

Rangers 5, Braves 4

ARLINGTON, Texas — Michael Young broke out of a slump with a game-ending RBI single and rookie Brandon Boggs hit a three-run homer as Texas rallied twice. With the score 4-all, Ian Kinsler led off the ninth with a double off Blaine Boyer (1-5). After an out, Young lined a single to right off Jeff Bennett. Kinsler scored without a throw to the plate, and Young, 1-for-31 heading into the ninth, was mobbed on the field by his teammates. Atlanta’s Chipper Jones went 0-for-4 as his major league-leading batting average (.394) fell below .400 for the first time since April 12. Rangers starter Scott Feldman gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings, but Texas closer C.J. Wilson faltered for the second straight game. Wilson allowed two runs and two hits while getting just one out. Jamey Wright (4-2) got two outs for the decision.

Royals 4, Cardinals 1

ST. LOUIS — Zack Greinke and two relievers combined on a two-hitter, and Kansas City completed its first three-game sweep of St. Louis since 2001. Mark Teahen missed the cycle by a double and had three RBIs for the Royals, who are 7-2 in interleague play despite being in last place in the AL Central at 31-42. Teahen hit a two-run homer off Chris Perez in the ninth. Greinke (6-4) didn’t allow a hit until Rick Ankiel’s 11th homer with two outs in the fourth. He struck out seven, walked one and worked seven or more innings for the ninth time in 15 starts. Joakim Soria worked his third straight 1-2-3 ninth for his 18th save in 19 chances.

Diamondbacks 2, Athletics 1

PHOENIX — Justin Upton hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning for Arizona. Upton drove a 3-2 pitch from Keith Foulke (0-2) into the pool area in right-center field to open the eighth, his ninth homer. Upton, who was 2-for-13 on the Diamondbacks’ six-game homestand, also doubled and scored Arizona’s other run in the fourth. Tony Pena (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth. Brandon Lyon got three outs for his 14th straight save. Upton set up Arizona’s first run on a bloop double off A’s starter Greg Smith in the fourth. Upton went to third on Conor Jackson’s single and scored on Chris Young’s sacrifice fly. Arizona left-hander Doug Davis, making his sixth start since returning from cancer surgery, went six innings, allowing one run and three hits. He walked two and struck out eight, a season high.

Associated Press