AROUND THE HORN | Saturday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Athletics 4, Rays 2

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.

Brandon McCarthy pitched seven solid innings and the Athletics beat the Rays. McCarthy (7-5) allowed two runs and four hits while improving to 9-0, including three wins this season, against AL East teams over 14 starts since 2009.

Rangers 9, Twins 3

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Ian Kinsler hit a leadoff home run and Mitch Moreland launched a 463-foot shot, sending Ryan Dempster and the Rangers to their fourth straight win. Kinsler homered in the first, hit a bases-loaded triple in the third inning that made it 9-0 and also singled.

Orioles 8, Blue Jays 2

BALTIMORE

J.J. Hardy homered and scored three runs, rookie Steve Johnson allowed four hits over six innings and the Orioles equaled their win total of last season. Hardy, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters each had two RBIs for the Orioles, who have won 14 of 20 since Aug. 3.

Tigers 5, Angels 3

DETROIT

Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run double, part of a three-run eighth inning that sent the Tigers over Los Angeles. The Tigers trailed 3-0 before scoring twice in the sixth and taking the lead in their last at-bat. With men on first and third, Peralta hit a line drive just fair down the left-field line off Garrett Richards (3-3). Alex Avila then added an RBI single.

White Sox 5, Mariners 4

CHICAGO

Tyler Flowers hit a tying homer and Dewayne Wise delivered a go-ahead RBI single in Chicago’s two-run sixth inning, lifting the White Sox to their fifth straight win.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves 7, Giants 3

SAN FRANCISCO

Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer and the Braves snapped the Giants’ five-game winning streak. Michael Bourn had two hits and two RBIs for the Braves, who had lost six of seven. Reed Johnson and Martin Prado each drove in a run.

Phillies 4, Nationals 2

PHILADELPHIA

Roy Halladay outpitched Gio Gonzalez with seven solid innings and John Mayberry Jr. homered to lead Philadelphia to its third consecutive victory. Halladay (8-7) allowed two runs and seven hits, struck out six and walked one. The right-hander, who missed 42 games with a strained muscle, is 4-1 with a 2.75 ERA in his last five starts.

Reds 8, Cardinals 2

CINCINNATI

Brandon Phillips hit his first home run in August, Mike Leake pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the Reds strengthened their hold on the top spot in the NL Central. Phillips and Ryan Ludwick had three hits apiece and Jay Bruce added a two-run homer as Cincinnati regained a seven-game lead over second-place St. Louis, which rallied to win the series opener 8-5 on Friday night.

Mets 3, Astros 1

NEW YORK

R.A. Dickey helped his own cause for his 16th victory, driving in a run with an infield single and pitching seven solid innings to help the Mets stop a six-game skid. Justin Turner hit his first homer of the season and Jason Bay snapped an 0-for-14 slump with an RBI single in the eighth that ended a stretch of offensive futility for the Mets.

Rockies 4, Cubs 3

CHICAGO

Carlos Gonzalez used his speed to beat out a potential double-play ball in the seventh inning and drive in the go-ahead run in the Rockies’ victory. Andrew Brown hit his first career homer and pinch-hitter Josh Rutledge had a two-run shot for Colorado, which has won six of seven. Carlos Torres (3-1) threw 2 1-3 scoreless innings as four Rockies relievers combined for five innings of one-hit ball.

Associated Press