around the horn

around the horn

Friday’s other MLB games

Cubs 6, Braves 1

CHICAGO

Matt Szczur hit his first career grand slam during a five-run eighth inning and the Chicago Cubs broke away from the Atlanta Braves. Jon Lester struck out 10 over seven innings as the Cubs improved to 17-5, their top 22-game start since the 1907 team was 18-4. It was 1-all in the eighth when the Cubs loaded the bases on two hits and a walk against Jim Johnson (0-3). Lefty Eric O’Flaherty relieved and gave up Anthony Rizzo’s go-ahead single with one out. Szczur then followed by launching a pitch from Chris Withrow over the left field wall.

Orioles 6, White Sox 3

BALTIMORE

Nolan Reimold hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh inning, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a victory over Chicago White Sox. The White Sox entered this series riding a six-game winning streak but have lost back-to-back games to the Orioles, whose 9-1 mark at Camden Yards is the best home mark in the major leagues. Brett Lawrie snapped a 2-for-18 skid and tied the score 3-3 with a solo homer off the Orioles’ Brad Brach in the seventh.

Blue Jays 6, Rays 1

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.

Michael Saunders hit two home runs and Aaron Sanchez pitched seven shutout innings for the Toronto Blue Jays in a victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Saunders homered off Rays starter Drew Smyly (1-3) in the third inning and added his fourth home run of the season off Dana Eveland in the eighth. The left fielder is hitting .368 (14 for 38) in nine games since moving into the leadoff spot in the Toronto batting order.

Red Sox 4, Yankees 2

BOSTON

David Ortiz hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Dellin Betances in the eighth inning, and the Boston Red Sox rallied for a win over the New York Yankees in the first of 19 meetings between the longtime rivals. Jackie Bradley Jr. had a two-run double for Boston, which won for the fifth timne in six games. Alex Rodriguez moved into 20th place in the all-time hits list with a solo homer for the Yankees, who lost for the 11th time in 15 games.

Mets 13, Giants 1

NEW YORK

Yoenis Cespedes and the New York Mets broke loose for a team-record 12 runs in the third inning, rolling to their seventh straight victory with a blowout of the San Francisco Giants. Cespedes set a club mark with six RBIs in the inning, connecting for a two-run single off starter Jake Peavy (1-2) and a grand slam off reliever Mike Broadway that capped the outburst. The early barrage made it an easy night for Steven Matz (3-1) in the opener of a three-game series.

Rangers 4, Angels 2

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Ian Desmond continued his batting surge with two hits, including the go-ahead double in a three-run sixth inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels. Colby Lewis (2-0) allowed two runs and nine hits in seven innings to reverse his fortunes against the Angels. He went into the game 6-11 all-time against Los Angeles with a 6.82 ERA. Lewis didn’t record a strikeout for the first time in 117 regular season and postseason starts, since May 2011.

Nationals 5, Cardinals 4

ST. LOUIS

Stephen Strasburg struck out nine including seven of eight in one stretch and the Washington Nationals got home runs from Michael Taylor and Danny Espinosa in a victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Taylor’s second leadoff homer of the year ended a 22-inning scoreless drought for the Nationals. Espinosa’s first of the season was a two-run shot that capped a four-run fourth against Mike Leake (0-3). Strasburg (4-0) gave up two runs on eight hits in seven innings with one walk.

Marlins 6, Brewers 3

MILWAUKEE

Marlins lefty Adam Conley threw no-hit ball for 7 2/3 innings before being pulled by manager Don Mattingly after 116 pitches, and Miami’s bullpen wound up holding off the Milwaukee Brewers. Jonathan Lucroy blooped a single with one out in the ninth off reliever Jose Urena to break up the combo no-hit bid. The ball landed in right field just beyond the reach of diving second baseman Derek Dietrich.

Tigers 9, Twins 2

MINNEAPOLIS

Michael Fulmer allowed two earned runs in five innings to win his major league debut and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins. Victor Martinez homered among his four hits, and Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos also went deep for the Tigers, who had a season-high 18 hits. Considered Detroit’s top pitching prospect, Fulmer (1-0) allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out four.

Associated Press