mlb roundup | Monday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Tigers 6, Royals 2

DETROIT

Justin Verlander breezed through eight innings and Prince Fielder hit a solo homer, helping the Tigers steady themselves with a victory over Kansas City. Detroit entered one game behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central after being swept in a doubleheader by Minnesota on Sunday. Verlander (16-8) had little trouble with the Royals, who knocked him around for eight runs and 12 hits last month.

Orioles 4, Blue Jays 1

Blue Jays 9, Orioles 5

BALTIMORE

J.P. Arencibia broke open a tight game with a seventh-inning grand slam, and Toronto beat Baltimore to earn a doubleheader split and drop the Orioles 11/2 games out of first place in the AL East. In the opener, Adam Jones went 4 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs to lead Baltimore to a victory. But the Orioles lost a half-game in the standings Monday to the New York Yankees, who won, 6-3, at Minnesota.

Yankees 6, Twins 3

MINNEAPOLIS

Andy Pettitte turned in another ageless performance with six scoreless innings and the Yankees hit four home runs to beat Minnesota and extend their AL East lead. The Yankees took a 11/2-game edge over Baltimore, which split a doubleheader with Toronto. This is the first time Sept. 2 their margin has been more than one game.

Rangers 5, Athletics 4

ARLINGTON, Texas

Adrian Beltre singled home the winning run in the ninth inning and the Rangers rallied past Oakland to stretch their AL West lead over the Athletics to five games with nine to play. Beltre, whose 35th homer tied the score in the seventh, grounded a sharp single through the middle of the infield off Tyson Ross (2-11) in the ninth, bringing home pinch-runner Craig Gentry. The Rangers got the inning started with consecutive singles by Mitch Moreland and Ian Kinsler before Elvis Andrus’ sacrifice bunt. Josh Hamilton, who had already hit his major league-best 43rd homer after missing the previous five games with a cornea issue, was intentionally walked to load the bases.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nationals 12, Brewers 2

WASHINGTON

This time, the “sun monster” helped Jayson Werth’s Nationals and hurt the Brewers. A day after the Nationals misplayed a pair of fly balls in the midday glare, Werth wound up with a two-out, two-run double when Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez lost a ball in the sun to spark a big fourth inning Monday, and Washington beat Milwaukee 12-2 to cut its magic number to five.

Rockies 4, Diamondbacks 2

DENVER

Tyler Chatwood pitched effectively into the sixth inning, Andrew Brown homered and the Rockies beat the Diamondbacks to end a nine-game losing streak. Jason Kubel homered for the Diamondbacks, who have slim hopes of a late-season playoff push. Arizona fell 51/2 games behind St. Louis with nine remaining.

Cardinals 6, Astros 1

HOUSTON

Lance Lynn pitched seven innings to earn his 17th win, rookie Pete Kozma hit a two-run homer and the Cardinals strengthened their grip on a playoff spot. Yadier Molina added a solo shot as the Cardinals moved 31/2 games in front of Milwaukee and Los Angeles for the second NL wild card.

Associated Press