Yankees split doubleheader with Astros
NEW YORK: George Springer and Alex Bregman paid tribute to Derek Jeter in their own way — with memorable first-inning home runs off Masahiro Tanaka.
Springer led off with a drive run into Monument Park just after Jeter’s No. 2 was retired there in a pre-game ceremony and Bregman capped a six-run first inning with a grand slam that propelled the Houston Astros to a 10-7 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday night and a doubleheader split.
Josh Reddick homered off the facing of the right-field second deck a pitch after Springer’s first homer. Springer also homered leading off the second and Carlos Beltran hit an RBI double against Tanaka (5-2), who left trailing 8-0 after 1 2/3 innings and set career highs for runs and home runs allowed.
Backed by a 9-0 lead, Charlie Morton (5-2) gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
In the opener, Chase Headley hit a tiebreaking bases-loaded triple off Chris Devenski in New York’s six-run seventh inning, and the Yankees rallied to beat Houston 11-6.
Adam Warren (1-0) got the win as the Yankees stopped a three-game slide. Starlin Castro, Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner homered for New York.
Evan Gattis had two hits and two RBIs for the Astros. Will Harris (1-1) got the loss. Phillies 4 Nationals 3, Game 1 Nationals 6 Phillies 5, Game 2: In Washington, Ace Max Scherzer endured a scary line drive to grind out six innings while Michael Taylor hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth and Washington overcame another dodgy bullpen outing in the nightcap for a doubleheader split.
Bryce Harper went 3 for 4 with an RBI double in Game 2. He also hit his 12th home run in Game 1 but Philadelphia won the opener of the day-night affair after Washington’s third blown save in six games.
In Game 2, Freddy Galvis gave Philadelphia another lead against the bullpen when his two-run triple off Jacob Turner (2-1) put the Phillies ahead 5-4 in the eighth.
After striking out three times, Taylor homered off Pat Neshek (0-1), belting a first-pitch slider off the left field foul pole. The runs were Neshek’s first allowed this season.
In the first game, Ty Kelly hit a tiebreaking RBI single in Philadelphia’s three-run ninth. Aaron Altherr opened the ninth with his eighth homer. Maikel Franco and Cameron Rupp hit consecutive doubles off Shawn Kelley (3-1), and Galvis walked before Kelly delivered against Koda Glover.
Rangers 6 Athletics 4: In Arlington, Texas, Nomar Mazara had the go-ahead hit for the second game in a row as the Rangers extended their winning streak to a majors-best six in a row.
Mazara hit a tiebreaking RBI single with two outs in the seventh right after Elvis Andrus’ RBI double, both off Ryan Madson (0-3).
Carlos Gomez had three hits, including a single to start the Texas seventh, but left the game with a right hamstring strain after scoring from second on Delino DeShields’ two-out infield single.
Dario Alvarez (2-0) got two outs for the win and Matt Bush the save.
Cardinals 5 Cubs 0: In St. Louis, Yadier Molina homered twice for the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright threw seven sparkling innings.
Molina recorded the third multihomer game of his career. He drilled a two-run homer off Jake Arrieta (4-3) in the second inning and added a solo drive in the eighth.
Rockies 9 Dodgers 6: In Denver, Pat Valaika homered twice and drove in four runs and Antonio Senzatela got the win in an emotional Mother’s Day start for Colorado.
Senzatela (6-1) was pitching on Mother’s Day for the first time since his mom died of breast cancer last July. Like many around the league, Senzatela used a pink bat to raise awareness about the disease. The rookie right-hander is tied for the major league lead in wins.
Angels 4 Tigers 1: In Anaheim, California, Angels star Mike Trout homered in his third straight game and Alex Meyer pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning.
Danny Espinosa hit a tiebreaking homer off Justin Verlander while Andrelton Simmons added an RBI single to chase Verlander (3-3) in the seventh.
With a first-inning shot to left for his 11th homer, Trout homered in three straight games for the third time in his career, also accomplishing the feat in September 2013 and June 2016.
Brewers 11, Mets 9: In Milwaukee, Manny Pina hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning, capping Milwaukee’s comeback from a six-run deficit.
Pina hit a 3-2 slider from Addison Reed (0-2) over the wall in left. The Brewers scored 10 runs over their final three innings, teeing off on the Mets bullpen after a solid start by Jacob deGrom.
Royals 9 Orioles 8: In Kansas City, Missouri, Mike Moustakas homered and drove in four runs to help Kansas City rally for the win.
Jorge Soler and Drew Butera also connected for the Royals. Soler’s 464foot shot to center leading off the seventh was the longest by a Kansas City player this season.
Blue Jays 3 Mariners 2: In Toronto, Kevin Pillar homered with two outs in the ninth inning to give Toronto a sweep of the four-game series.
Pillar sealed the win with a blast to left off Edwin Diaz after Justin Smoak hit a two-run homer for Toronto.
The Blue Jays have won five straight and seven of eight, and lead the majors with 21 homers in May.