AROUND THE HORN | Tuesday’s other Major League Baseball games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Orioles 7, Royals 2

BALTIMORE

Dylan Bundy allowed three hits over a career-high eight innings, newcomer Tim Beckham had two hits and scored twice and the resurgent Orioles beat the Royals for their fourth straight victory. Seth Smith drove in three runs to help the Orioles move within two games of .500 (52-54) for the first time since July 3. Kansas City will seek to avoid a three-game sweep today.

Mariners 8, Rangers 7

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Robinson Cano doubled twice and drove in three runs as the Mariners beat the Rangers. Cano’s two-run double in the sixth was the 499th of his career, moving him into a time with Rusty Staub for 63rd in MLB history.

Rays 6, Astros 4

HOUSTON

Evan Longoria became the second Tampa Bay player to hit for the cycle and drove in three runs to lead the Rays over the Astros. He was a double shy when he came to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning and laced a laser to left field. Longoria dashed to second base and slid in to avoid the tag of Jose Altuve. He was initially ruled out, but the call was overturned after a crew chief review.

Tigers 4, Yankees 3

NEW YORK

John Hicks hit a three-run homer in his first big league game in more than a month, Justin Upton added a solo drive off CC Sabathia, and the Tigers held on to beat the Yankees. A 27-year-old rookie recalled Monday for his fifth major league stint this season, Hicks drove a slider over the right-center field wall in the second inning, capping a 10-pitch at-bat.

Blue Jays 8, White Sox 4

CHICAGO

Justin Smoak hit his 31st homer, Josh Donaldson homered and drove in three runs, and the Blue Jays beat the White Sox. Smoak and Donaldson each connected for the second straight night and third time in five games. Donaldson also had a sacrifice fly and RBI double. Marcus Stroman (10-5) went seven innings, allowing four runs and seven hits.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cubs 16, Diamondbacks 4

CHICAGO

Jon Lester hit his first major league homer and struck out nine to reach 2,000 for his career, helping the Chicago Cubs pound the Arizona Diamondbacks. Anthony Rizzo went deep twice and Ian Happ and Javier Baez also connected as Chicago kicked off a six-game homestand with its 14th win in 17 games since the All-Star break. Rizzo, Baez and Albert Almora Jr. each drove in three runs, and Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras had two RBIs apiece. The NL Central leaders rapped out 17 hits in their highest-scoring game of the season and stayed 21/2 games ahead of second-place Milwaukee.

Marlins 7, Nationals 6

MIAMI

Max Scherzer hit his first career homer to help build a six-run lead, but he pitched only one inning before departing with a neck spasm, and the Miami Marlins rallied to beat the Washington Nationals. Scherzer slept funny and left the game as a precaution, the Nationals said. The Marlins took the lead with a four-run fifth inning. Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run homer off Matt Albers (5-2).

Brewers 3, Cardinals 2

MILWAUKEE

Jimmy Nelson finally beat St. Louis with six strong innings, and the Milwaukee Brewers held on. Nelson (9-5) entered 0-8 with a 7.01 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) against the Cardinals. This time, the right-hander overcame his division rival by allowing just two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts.

Dodgers 3, Braves 2

ATLANTA

Kenta Maeda allowed only two hits in seven scoreless innings, Cody Bellinger homered and the streaking Dodgers beat the Braves 3-2 on Tuesday night for their ninth straight win. The slumping Braves were shut down by Maeda (10-4) but cut their deficit to one with Johan Camargo’s two-run homer off Josh Ravin in the eighth.

Associated Press