MLB roundup

American League

White Sox 15, Royals 5

CHICAGO

Carlos Quentin hit a grand slam and a solo homer, and the Chicago White Sox surged into first place in the American League Central.

Red Sox 3, Blue Jays 2

TORONTO

Darnell McDonald and David Ortiz hit back-to-back home runs and Daisuke Matsuzaka won for the first time in more than a month. Boston lost All-Star third baseman Adrian Beltre in the sixth with a strained left hamstring Aaron Hill connected for Blue Jays, who lead the major leagues with 136 homers, 18 more than Boston.

Twins 6, Tigers 3

DETROIT

Michael Cuddyer drove in a pair of runs and Carl Pavano pitched into the eighth inning, helping slumping Minnesota snap a four-game skid.

Yankees 8, Mariners 2

SEATTLE

CC Sabathia allowed a run in seven innings and joined Tampa Bay’s David Price as the only 12-game winners in the American League.

Athletics 5, Angels 2

OAKLAND, CALIF.

Jack Cust homered for the second time in three games, and Adam Rosales added a two-run single. Trevor Cahill (9-3), Oakland’s lone All-Star representative before closer Andrew Bailey was added to the AL roster Sunday, scattered five hits over seven innings.

Orioles 4, Rangers 1

ARLINGTON, Texas

Corey Patterson had another big hit against Texas, rookie Jake Arrieta pitched into the seventh and Baltimore completed a four-game series sweep of the AL West-leading Rangers.

National League

Phillies 1, Reds 0

PHILADELPHIA

Cole Hamels tossed six-hit ball into the eighth inning, Jimmy Rollins drove in the only run and the Philadelphia Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the NL West-leading Cincinnati Reds. Hamels (7-7) struck out three, walked three and didn’t allow a run for the first time in 18 starts this season.

Mets 3, Braves 0

NEW YORK

Johan Santana went seven innings in another spotless start, and rookie Ike Davis hit a long home run to help the Mets avoid a three-game sweep by their NL East rival. Alex Cora and pinch-hitter Josh Thole delivered RBI singles with two outs, and Angel Pagan had three of New York’s 13 hits

Marlins 2, Diamondbacks 0

PHOENIX

Jorge Cantu doubled in a run and Dan Ugla had an RBI single for the Marlins, who went 7-6 on a 13-game road trip that began June 28 against the Mets in Puerto Rico.

Padres 9, Rockies 7

DENVER

Matt Belisle’s bases-loaded throwing error led to two unearned runs in the eighth inning, and Everth Cabrera hit his first homer of the season in the ninth.

Giants 6, Nationals 2

WASHINGTON

Travis Ishikawa drove in three runs, Madison Bumgarner took a shutout into the seventh inning and the Giants won for the seventh time in nine games.

Cardinals 4, Astros 2

HOUSTON

Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in a run with a pinch-hit single and the Cardinals finally solved the Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez.

Dodgers 7, Cubs 0

LOS ANGELES

Vicente Padilla pitched eight innings of two-hit ball and James Loney hit a three-run homer off Carlos Silva before the Cubs pitcher was ejected in the second inning of baseball’s last game before the All-Star break.

The Dodgers took three of four from the Cubs and are tied with Colorado for second in the NL West, two games back of surprising San Diego.

Associated Press