Major league baseball | Monday’s games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

NEW YORK

Jon Lester received key help from relievers Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon in ending his career-worst four-game skid, and the Boston Red Sox salvaged a series split. Boston took the finale of the wraparound series that had four different start times because of national TV demands.

Orioles 3, White Sox 2, 10 innings

BALTIMORE

Brian Roberts hit his first home run of the season leading off the 10th inning, and the Orioles continued their uncanny run of success under new manager Buck Showalter. Baltimore is 6-1 since Showalter made his debut last Tuesday.

Rays 6, Tigers 3

DETROIT

Matt Joyce homered and the Rays snapped their five-game losing streak with a win over the Tigers. Tampa Bay got within 11/2 games of first-place New York, and Detroit lost for the eighth time in 10 games to stay nine behind Chicago in the AL Central. David Price (15-5) struggled with his command, walking four batters in five innings, but nine strikeouts helped him allow just two runs.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros 10, Braves 4

HOUSTON

Hot-hitting rookie Chris Johnson drove in three runs, including two in Houston’s six-run seventh inning, and the Astros took advantage of sloppy play by Atlanta. Atlanta committed three errors and had a wild pitch to help the Astros snap a four-game losing streak. Jason Heyward, who turned 21 on Monday, hit his 12th home run of the season to the bullpen in right center field.

Cardinals 7, Reds 3

CINCINNATI

Skip Schumaker hit his first career grand slam during St. Louis Cardinals’ biggest inning of the season, supplying more than enough runs for right-hander Chris Carpenter to beat Cincinnati. The Cardinals provided a lopsided start to their showdown for first place in the NL Central, trimming Cincinnati’s lead to one game. St. Louis sent 12 batters to the plate for seven runs in the fourth, giving rookie Mike Leake (7-4) his worst moments in the majors. Schumaker’s grand slam — only his 19th career homer — made it 6-0. Carpenter (13-3) has won his last nine starts against the Reds, a streak that started in 2006. He gave up five hits and a pair of runs in seven innings.

Associated Press