Ohtani goes deep twice
CLEVELAND Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs in a game for the first time in the major leagues, and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Cleveland Indians 7-4 on Friday night.
Ohtani, whose four hits were also the most of his big league career, singled in the eighth and scored the goahead run on David Fletcher’s double.
The Angels won at Progressive Field for the first time since June 17, 2014, breaking a 10-game skid.
Ohtani also hit his first home run on the road and has 11 in his rookie season. The Japanese two-way star has homered four times and is batting .643 (9 for 14) against the Indians in four games this season. Ohtani was sidelined from June 7July 2 with a sprained ligament in his right elbow.
Ohtani, starting for the first time since Tuesday, took a 5-for-37 slump into the game. He hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo home run in the third off Mike Clevinger.
RED SOX 4, YANKEES 1
BOSTON — Rick Porcello pitched a one-hitter, Steve Pearce homered for the fourth time in two nights and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 4-1 Friday after manager Alex Cora’s ejection to open a season-high 7 1/2-game lead in the AL East.
BRAVES 2, METS 1
NEW YORK — Ozzie Albies hit a tiebreaking double off Jacob deGrom, Anibal Sanchez pitched six effective innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets for their fifth straight win.
Albies gave the Braves the lead in the fifth when he doubled to left field corner as Ronald Acuna Jr. easily scored from second after getting a two-out double.
CUBS 5, PADRES 4
CHICAGO — Javier Baez tied his career high with his 23rd home run and took over the National League lead with 84 RBIs, helping the Chicago Cubs defeat the San Diego Padres.
Jose Quintana (10-7) allowed one run and four hits in six innings, leaving with a 31 lead.
PHILLIES 5, MARLINS 1
PHILADELPHIA — Vince Velasquez allowed two hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to victory over the Miami Marlins.