Baseball roundup Thursday’s games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Royals 7, Tigers 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alex Gordon and Alberto Callaspo homered, leading the last-place Royals past the Tigers for a surprising three-game sweep of the AL Central leaders. It was the first three-game sweep of an American League team at home this season for the Royals. They’ve won four straight overall for the first time since June 12-16. Zach Miner (6-5) gave up three runs and five hits in relief for the Tigers, who rolled into town Tuesday on a six-game winning streak, fresh off a three-game sweep at Tampa Bay.

Blue Jays 3, Twins 2

TORONTO — Minnesota keeps failing to pressure Detroit in the AL Central. Jose Bautista hit a solo homer and Brett Cecil won his final start of the season to lead Toronto to a victory over the Twins. Minnesota has not won consecutive games since a three-game winning streak from Aug. 30-Sept. 1. The Twins went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and are averaging just 3.2 runs during their past 10 games. They remained 51‚Ñ2 games behind the division-leading Tigers.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Rockies 5, Reds 1

DENVER — Garrett Atkins hit a two-run homer and Jason Giambi had a two-run double in a five-run third inning, sending the Rockies to their seventh straight win. The NL wild card leaders increased their cushion to 41‚Ñ2 games over idle San Francisco and crept within two games of first-place Los Angeles in the NL West. The Dodgers also had the day off.

Nationals 8, Phillies 7

WASHINGTON — Ian Desmond homered and drove in four runs in his major league debut and Livan Hernandez pitched into the eighth inning, leading the Nationals. The NL East-leading Phillies had won nine straight against Washington. The Nationals won for only the second time in 12 games overall.

Braves 9, Astros 7

HOUSTON — Garret Anderson drove in three runs, Nate McLouth homered and the Braves broke out of their offensive slump.

Marlins 13, Mets 4

NEW YORK — Nick Johnson drove in four runs and the Marlins beat the listless Mets 13-4 on Thursday night to gain ground on the NL East-leading Phillies.

Associated Press