Nationals stay hot, beat Orioles in interleague play

BALTIMORE Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer to back a sharp pitching performance by Gio Gonzalez, and the surging Washington Nationals beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-0 Monday.

Gonzalez (6-2) allowed six hits over 7 2/3 innings to end a six-game losing streak against Baltimore. The left-hander won his first start against the Orioles in 2009 before coming up empty in his next nine outings.

Matt Adams and Michael Taylor both had two hits and an RBI for the Nationals, who have won four straight and 13 of 18.

BRAVES 4, METS 3

ATLANTA — Charlie Culberson’s pinch-hit, two-run homer off Seth Lugo in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Braves a victory in the first game of a doubleheader.

BREWERS 8, CARDINALS 3

MILWAUKEE — Jonathan Villar and Christian Yelich homered, while Ryan Braun had three hits to lead the Brewers.

CUBS 7, PIRATES 0

PITTSBURGH — Mike Montgomery pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, Anthony Rizzo went 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs, and the sleep-deprived Cubs beat the slumping Pirates.

ASTROS 5, YANKEES 1

NEW YORK — Justin Verlander tamed the Yankees again, slowing down the highest-scoring team in the majors.

Verlander exited in the seventh inning with a major league-best 1.11 ERA. J.D. Davis hit an early three-run homer and Jose Altuve had a solo drive, helping Houston win for the sixth time in eight games.

TIGERS 9, ANGELS 3

DETROIT — James McCann hit a grand slam in the third inning as the Tigers routed the Angels.