Around the Horn

Around the Horn

Wednesday’s other MLB games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Astros 12, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON

Justin Verlander struck out 11 to win his fifth straight start since getting traded to Houston, major league batting leader Jose Altuve reached 200 hits for the fourth season in a row, and the AL West champion Astros completed a dominating three-game sweep by routing Texas. Carlos Correa hit two home runs and George Springer had a grand slam.

Athletics 6, Mariners 5

OAKLAND

Mark Canha hit a game-ending home run in the ninth inning to lead Oakland past Seattle. Canha’s fifth homer this season came on a 1-0 pitch from Shae Simmons (0-1). Blake Treinen (3-4) pitched a scoreless ninth. The A’s led 5-3 going into the top of the eighth, when Robinson Cano hit a two-run homer off Chris Hatcher.

Red Sox 10, Blue Jays 7

BOSTON

Reigning AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello struggled in his final playoff tuneup, and David Price relieved him to solidify his role on the postseason roster as Boston beat Toronto. Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogaerts homered in a five-run third inning for Boston after Porcello (11-17) gave up three runs in the first. The Red Sox scored one in the first and three in the second and then took a 9-4 lead in the third to chase Marco Estrada (10-9).

Yankees 6, Rays 1

NEW YORK CITY

Luis Severino cruised through his final postseason tuneup and Starlin Castro, Greg Bird and Aaron Hicks all homered during a four-run sixth inning, lifting New York over Tampa Bay. Severino (14-6) is lined up to start the playoff opener. Castro crushed a solo shot off the back wall in the Rays’ bullpen to lead off the sixth, chasing starter Matt Andriese (5-5).

Royals 7, Tigers 4

KANSAS CITY

Paulo Orlando hit a two-run homer, his first of the season, as Kansas City rallied from a three-run deficit to beat Detroit. Scott Alexander (5-4), the third Kansas City pitcher, picked up the victory with 11/3 scoreless innings. Drew VerHagen (0-3) gave up the home run to Orlando with Alcides Escobar, who had tripled, aboard. The Royals padded their lead with a three-run eight, which was highlighted by a two-run double by Escobar.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 7, Nationals 5

PHILADELPHIA

Aaron Altherr went 2-for-4 with a triple, drove in two runs and scored the go-ahead run as Philadelphia beat Washington. Washington starter Tanner Roark walked five Phillies hitters and allowed six earned runs and seven hits in 41/3 innings. Hector Neris worked a perfect ninth.

Cubs 5, Cardinals 1

ST. LOUIS

Addison Russell hit a three-run homer and John Lackey pitched six strong innings as Chicago clinched their second consecutive National League Central title with a victory over St. Louis. Lackey (12-11) retired the final 10 batters he faced.

Rockies 15, Marlins 9

DENVER

Ian Desmond hit a three-run homer as part of a six-run second inning and playoff-chasing Colorado beat Miami. Down 15-5, Miami began the ninth with four straight doubles and later added two more singles.

Diamondbacks 4, Giants 3

PHOENIX

David Peralta capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning by drawing a one-out, bases-loaded walk, giving Arizona a win over San Francisco. Daniel Descalso jogged home with the winning run. Pablo Sandoval doubled twice and drove in two runs.

Mets 7, Braves 1

NEW YORK CITY

Terry Collins was a winner in perhaps his final home game as manager of the New York Mets, who beat Atlanta behind rookie pitcher Robert Gsellman. Travis d’Arnaud drove in three runs and pinch-hitter Dominic Smith launched a three-run homer for the Mets.

Reds 6, Brewers 0

MILWAUKEE

Milwaukee rookie Brandon Woodruff was chased in a five-run third inning and the Brewers’ postseason hopes took another hit when they fell to last-place Cincinnati. Joey Votto hit his team-high 36th home run and Homer Bailey (6-9) threw seven strong innings for the Reds.

Associated Press