Panik homers as Giants overpower Cubs
Joe Panik hit his first career leadoff homer and doubled twice to help the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 6-4 on Monday. Brandon Belt also connected while Ty Blach (2-2) pitched into the eighth inning in the first meeting between the teams since San Francisco was eliminated by Chicago in the NL Division Series last year. Panik, Belt and Justin Ruggiano each had two RBIs as the Giants won for the eighth time in 10 games. Ruggiano’s leadoff drive in the eighth made it 6-0 and gave San Francisco 18 straight solo homers, just three from matching its major league record of 21 set in 2011. The Cubs responded with four in the bottom half on two-run homers by Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist. But the rally stalled from there.
YANKEES 4, ROYALS 2
Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Chris Carter all homered as New York beat Jason Vargas again in defeating Kansas City. A reversed call in the seventh inning kept the Yankees ahead and enabled Michael Pineda (5-2) to top Vargas for the second time in a week. The Royals, with the worst record in the AL, have lost five of seven. Vargas (5-3) began the day with a 2.03 ERA, tied for second-best in the majors. But the lefty fell to 0-7 lifetime against the Yankees when he was tagged by Gardner and Gregorius, the only left-handed hitters in New York’s lineup.
ASTROS 1, TIGERS 0
Brad Peacock and three relievers combined on a one-hitter while Jose Altuve provided the offense with an RBI double as Houston nipped Detroit. Peacock was solid moving out of the bullpen to make a spot start for injured ace Dallas Keuchel. In his first start since September, Peacock allowed the lone hit and struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings. He was lifted after walking Tyler Collins in the fifth. Chris Devenski (3-2) took over and pitched 2 2/3 innings before Will Harris worked the eighth. Ken Giles struck out two in the ninth for his 12th save, allowing the Astros to bounce back after being swept by Cleveland last weekend. Houston struck early against Michael Fulmer (5-2) when George Springer drew a leadoff walk and scored on Altuve’s one-out double in the first.
TWINS 14, ORIOLES 7
Max Kepler homered and drove in four runs while Miguel Sano and Jorge Polanco each had a career-high four hits as Minnesota roared back to beat Baltimore. The Twins trailed 5-0 in the second inning and 6-2 entering the fifth before cranking up the offense against Ubaldo Jimenez and an ineffective Orioles bullpen. Tyler Wilson (2-2) gave up six runs in 1 1/3 innings. A two-run double by Kepler helped the Twins tie the scores in the fifth. Minnesota sent 11 batters to the plate in a six-run sixth and Sano added a two-run homer in the ninth. Joe Mauer had three hits, two RBIs and scored twice for the Twins, who reached season highs in runs and hits (21).
ROCKIES 8, PHILLIES 1
Jeff Hoffman struck out seven and tossed three-hit ball over seven innings to lead Colorado over Philadelphia. Hoffman (2-0) also had his first big league hit and the National League-leading Rockies continued to cruise away from home. They are best in the majors with a 16-7 road record and are 5-2 on this 10-game trip, their longest of the season. Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer in a four-run ninth after the Rockies scored four times off Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (0-5). Charlie Blackmon had a two-run double.
REDS 5, INDIANS 1
Scott Feldman struck out a season-high nine while ending Cincinnati’s long stretch of ineffective starts while Scott Schebler homered for the third straight game in leading Cincinnati past Cleveland. The Reds took the opener of the annual intrastate series. The teams play two games in Cincinnati followed by two in Cleveland. The Indians had won their last four at Great American Ball Park and six straight overall in the Ohio series. Feldman (3-4) got the first victory by a Reds starter since May 9. He gave up four hits, including Jason Kipnis’ homer, while becoming the first Cincinnati starter in the last 10 games to make it through six innings. The Reds’ rotation is last in the NL in ERA and innings pitched. Three relievers closed out a seven-hitter for Cincinnati’s second victory in 10 games. Schebler connected against Josh Tomlin (2-6) for his third homer in a span of seven at-bats. It’s the first time he’s homered in three consecutive games. Zack Cozart’s two-run single in the seventh off Dan Otero put Cincinnati in control.
BRAVES 5, PIRATES 2
Matt Adams hit a two-run homer in his second start since being traded to Atlanta and Ender Inciarte had a career-high five hits as the Braves beat Gerrit Cole. Brandon Phillips also homered for the Braves, who have won eight of 11. Adams was acquired from St. Louis on Saturday as a fill-in for injured first baseman Freddie Freeman, expected to miss about 10 weeks with a broken left wrist. Adams had two hits, including his fifth-inning homer high into the rightfield seats for a 5-1 lead. David Freese and Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle were ejected by plate umpire Phil Cuzzi in the fourth.
ANGELS 3, RAYS 2
Jefry Marte scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning to help Los Angeles beat Tampa Bay. The Angels, who have won six of eight, pushed across the decisive run without a hit against relievers Jumbo Diaz (0-3) and Ryne Stanek. After walking Mike Trout intentionally to load the bases with two outs, Stanek threw a ball in the dirt while facing Albert Pujols, allowing Marte to score easily. Corey Dickerson and Logan Morrison homered off Angels starter JC Ramirez (4-3).— AP