Baseball roundup \ Friday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Twins 3, Tigers 0

MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Cuddyer’s two-run homer off Rick Porcello (13-9) was all Brian Duensing needed to beat Detroit and move Minnesota within three games of the AL Central lead. This is the closest the Twins (75-72) have been to first place since Aug. 2. They’re 6-1 at home this year against Detroit. Duensing gave up two infield singles among just four hits and only one walk over 6 1-3 innings, before yielding to the bullpen to finish Minnesota’s fifth straight victory. Joe Nathan posted his 42nd save, allowing a walk and a double with two outs before finishing a scoreless ninth.

Red Sox 3, Orioles 1

BALTIMORE — Clay Buchholz pitched six innings of five-hit ball, and Boston extended its winning streak against Baltimore to six games. Jason Bay hit his team-high 34th home run for the Red Sox, who have won eight of nine and 14 of 19 to take command in the AL wild-card race. Victor Martinez had a single and a double to stretch his hitting streak to 17 games, tying a career high.

Rays 11, Blue Jays 4

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — James Shields won at home for the first time in more than three months, and eight straight Tampa Bay batters reached base to start a six-run third inning. Shields (10-11) had been 0-5 in his previous 10 starts at Tropicana Field since beating Kansas City 3-2 on June 4. He gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings.

Royals 11, White Sox 0

CHICAGO — Luke Hochevar pitched a three-hitter for his first career shutout and Miguel Olivo hit a pair of two-run shots and drove in a career-high six runs. Hochevar (7-10) allowed just three singles and struck out five with one walk. The right-hander won his first start since July 25 and won his first game in his last eight decisions. He struck out Ramon Castro in the third inning to start a string of eight consecutive outs.

Angels 2, Rangers 0

ARLINGTON, Texas — Scott Kazmir pitched six scoreless innings to get his first victory for the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 9, Braves 4

ATLANTA — Ryan Howard homered twice, Jimmy Rollins hit a three-run shot, and the Philadelphia Phillies overcame a shortened start by rookie J.A. Happ to end Atlanta’s seven-game winning streak.

Marlins 4, Reds 3

CINCINNATI — John Baker’s RBI single highlighted Florida’s four-run rally in the ninth inning.

Nationals 6, Mets 5

NEW YORK — Ryan Zimmerman hit his 30th homer, Josh Bard drove in three runs and the Nationals held off the free-falling Mets.

Brewers 3, Astros 2

MILWAUKEE — Casey McGehee singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Brewers beat the Astros, sending Houston to its fifth straight loss.

Cardinals 3, Cubs 2

ST. LOUIS — Matt Holliday homered off Aaron Heilman leading off the bottom of the ninth inning giving the Cardinals a victory over the Cubs, reducing their magic number for clinching the NL Central to six. Holliday had been 6 for 29 in the first six games of a nine-game homestand, five of them losses. His drive off a 3-1 pitch from Heilman (3-4) landed in the Cardinals’ bullpen beyond the right field wall for his third career game-winning homer.

Associated Press