AROUND THE HORN Monday’s other MLB games

NATIONAL LEAGUE

National 3, Marlins 2

WASHINGTON

Max Scherzer pitched seven sharp innings in his first start since he was sidelined by neck spasms. Bryce Harper homered for Washington, and pinch hitter Adam Lind singled in the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning. The Nationals expanded their lead in the NL East over second-place Miami to 14 games. Brandon Kintzler (4-2) worked the eighth and Sean Doolittle got three outs to earn his sixth save. Both pitchers were acquired shortly before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Giancarlo Stanton hit his major league-leading 37th homer for the Marlins, matching his previous career high. Jarlin Garcia (0-2) got the loss. Scherzer struck out nine and gave up two runs. The right-hander was coming off an abbreviated start against the Marlins six days earlier, when he was pulled after one inning.

Reds 11, Padres 3

CINCINNATI

Joey Votto homered for the third straight game and pulled into a tie with Ted Kluszewski on the Reds’ career list. The Reds homered four times in all, with Patrick Kivlehan hitting his first career grand slam. Adam Duvall and Zack Cozart also connected. Votto’s 251st career homer off Jhoulys Chacin (11-8) moved him into a tie for fifth place with Big Klu, the first baseman who cut the sleeves off his uniform to free his big upper arms. Votto’s 136th homer at Great American bumped him ahead of Jay Bruce for the ballpark record. Jose Pirela drove in all of San Diego’s runs with his first career multihomer game. The first was a two-run shot off Tim Adleman, who went only 42/3 innings. Adleman hasn’t won since June 27, going 0-5 in seven starts with a 6.88 ERA. Blake Wood (1-4) replaced Adleman in the fifth and pitched out of a two-on threat.

INTERLEAGUE

Twins 5, Brewers 4

MINNEAPOLIS

Eddie Rosario doubled home the tying run in the seventh inning and scored the winning run on a balk. Reliever Buddy Boshers (1-0) retired one batter in the seventh to earn the victory in relief of starter Ervin Santana.

Cardinals 11, Royals 3

KANSAS CITY, MO.

Matt Carpenter hit a three-run homer in St. Louis’ six-run fourth inning, and the Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 11-3 on Monday night for their third consecutive victory. Paul DeJong and Kolten Wong also connected for the Cardinals, who returned to .500 at 56-56. Carlos Martinez (8-9) pitched eight innings of two-run ball for just his second win in his last nine starts. St. Louis also got some help from Kansas City during its outburst in the fourth. Ian Kennedy (4-8) walked No. 9 hitter Greg Garcia on five pitches with the bases loaded, and shortstop Alcides Escobar and catcher Drew Butera each committed an error.

Associated Press