AROUND THE HORN Wednesday’s other MLB games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Astros 7, Blue Jays 6

HOUSTON

Alex Bregman’s two-run homer in the ninth completed a big rally to lift the Houston Astros to a win over the Toronto Blue Jays. It was Bregman’s third straight game with a homer and it capped a huge comeback for the Astros, who trailed 5-0 in the middle of the first inning after a terrible start by Dallas Keuchel. The Astros trailed by one when Tony Kemp singled off Ryan Tepera (5-3) with no outs in the ninth and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Then with one out in the inning, Bregman sent a fastball to left field, where it bounced off the wall above the Crawford Boxes, to give Houston the victory.

Athletics 3, Tigers 0

DETROIT

Jed Lowrie hit an RBI double in the fourth inning and Chris Bassitt pitched six innings, helping the Oakland Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers. Lowrie did his part at the plate again with a game-winning RBI for the third straight game. He drove in a tiebreaking run in the top of the ninth inning the previous two wins against the Tigers. Bassitt (1-3) gave up two hits and five walks while striking out five. He had lost nine straight since his last win in the majors in 2015.

Mariners 8, Orioles 7, 11 innings

BALTIMORE

Denard Span hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the 11th inning after Kyle Seager delivered a two-run homer in the ninth, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Orioles. The Mariners got a home run from Ryon Healy and collected 14 hits while improving their record in extra innings to 7-0.

White Sox 6, Twins 1

CHICAGO

Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia homered for Chicago and James Shields limited Minnesota to four hits over seven innings, leading the White Sox to a victory over the Twins. Shields (3-9) struck out five and walked just two in his only scoreless start of the season. The veteran right-hander lasted just 42/3 innings in a loss to Oakland on Friday. Before that, he had worked at least six innings in 11 straight turns and has gone at least seven innings five times.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Reds 6, Braves 5

ATLANTA

Adam Duvall had a two-run single in the seventh inning, Jose Peraza homered and scored twice, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Atlanta Braves. The Reds have won two straight and nine of 10, taking two of three from the NL East-leading Braves as closer Raisel Iglesias had a perfect ninth to earn his 15th save in 17 chances. The Reds took advantage of another shaky outing by reliever Sam Freeman (2-4), scoring three runs in the seventh inning for a 6-5 lead on Scooter Gennett’s RBI single and Duvall’s single.

Diamondbacks 2, Marlins 1

MIAMI

Robbie Ray pitched six scoreless innings in his first game in nearly two months to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Miami Marlins. Daniel Descalso homered and Deven Marrero knocked in a run for the Diamondbacks, who have won six of seven. Brad Boxberger allowed a home run to Starlin Castro to lead-off the ninth and walked the ensuing batter before retiring the next three for his 19th save in 23 chances. Ray (3-0) allowed two hits and issued two walks. He struck out six while throwing 56 of his 83 pitches for strikes in his first game since April 29.

INTERLEAGUE

Royals 5, Brewers 4

MILWAUKEE

Mike Moustakas’ solo homer opened a five-run seventh inning that snapped an extended run-scoring slump for the Kansas City Royals, who held off the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth. Danny Duffy (4-7) allowed five hits over six effective innings for the Royals, who split a two-game interleague series with the NL Central-leading Brewers. The Royals then called on Wily Peralta, a former Brewer, to close out the game after Brad Miller hit a three-run homer off reliever Tim Hill with nobody out in the ninth to get the Brewers within 5-4. Eric Thames struck out before pinch-hitter Erik Kratz singled. Peralta then got Ryan Braun to bounce into a game-ending double play that was upheld on review.

Phillies 3, Yankees 0

PHILADELPHIA

Zach Eflin continued to shine for Philadelphia with a four-hitter over seven shutout innings, and Rhys Hoskins hit a three-run homer to help the Phillies beat the New York Yankees. Eflin (6-2) became the first Phillies pitcher to win five starts in a month (he had a 1.76 ERA in June) since Cole Hamels went 5-0 in May 2012. Eflin has turned into a stopper of sorts for Philly: He won his fourth game this month following a Phillies loss. Eflin walked two, struck out six and helped the Phillies avoid a three-game sweep before beginning a key four-game series against the division rival Washington Nationals.

Rangers 5, Padres 2

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Mike Minor took a perfect game into the seventh inning, Shin-Soo Choo reached base for the 40th straight game and the Texas Rangers beat the San Diego Padres. Minor (6-4) was perfect until Eric Hosmer’s single up the middle with one out in the seventh. One out later, center fielder Delino DeShields preserved Minor’s shutout by leaping to rob Hunter Renfroe of a home run. Minor struck out five and threw 85 pitches. The left-hander benefited from two strong defensive plays.

Associated Press