mlb roundup

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 8, Rays 3

NEW YORK

Nick Swisher homered off James Shields to key a five-run burst in the first inning and the Yankees opened a 21/2-game lead over the Rays in the AL East. Tampa Bay nicked Phil Hughes (17-8) and relievers Javier Vazquez and Joba Chamberlain, but never quite got the big hit it needed while stranding 10 runners.

Orioles 9, Red Sox 1

BOSTON

Ty Wigginton hit a tie-breaking three-run homer in the seventh and Brad Bergesen pitched six strong innings to lead Baltimore. Wigginton drove his 21st homer of the season just inside the right field foul pole off Scott Atchison, who came in after Clay Buchholz allowed one unearned run and four hits in six innings.

Royals 9, Tigers 6

DETROIT

Mike Aviles drove in three runs, rookie Jerrod Dyson scored three times and the Royals beat Detroit. The Royals, who got three hits from Billy Butler, were aided by three errors by Detroit pitchers — one by starter Armando Galarraga and two by reliever Alfredo Figaro.

Blue Jays 5, Mariners 3

TORONTO

Vernon Wells and Travis Snider hit two-run homers, Edwin Encarnacion added a solo shot and the Blue Jays beat Seattle. Left-hander Marc Rzepczynski (2-4) gave up two runs and seven hits in 61/3 innings to win for the first time since an Aug. 13 road victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 5, Braves 3

PHILADELPHIA

Roy Halladay became Philadelphia’s first 20-game winner in 28 years, Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer and the Phillies increased their lead in the NL East to five games with their ninth straight win. Halladay (20-10) allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings to reach 20 wins for the third time in his career. Hall of Famer Steve Carlton was the last to do it for the Phillies when he won 23 in 1982.

Reds 4, Brewers 3

MILWAUKEE

Edinson Volquez allowed one run over eight innings and Cincinnati held on for the win. Jim Edmonds homered before hurting himself rounding the bases and the Reds didn’t make it easy in the ninth.

Nationals 8, Astros 4

WASHINGTON

Ivan Rodriguez hit a tying homer off the left-field pole to spark a seven-run rally with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Washington trailed 3-0 in the first inning, then 3-1 in the eighth. But Adam Dunn walked and, two outs later, Rodriguez hit his fourth homer, a two-run shot off Felipe Paulino (1-9). After the next two batters reached, pinch-hitter Adam Kennedy hit a go-ahead RBI single.

Marlins 5, Mets 2

MIAMI

Gaby Sanchez hit a tie-breaking three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning for Florida.

Associated Press