Birthday boy Judge stars in Yankees’ win
BOSTON: Luis Severino allowed three hits in seven innings of shut-out ball and Aaron Judge celebrated his 25th birthday with a two-run homer and spectacular catch, carrying the surging New York Yankees to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night in the longtime rivals’ first meeting this season.
It was the 11th win in 14 games for the Yankees after they opened the season 1-4.
Severino (2-1) struck out six and walked two, posting his third straight strong start. Dellin Betances worked a perfect eighth and Aroldis Chapman got three outs for his fifth save despite giving up a run.
AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello (1-3) lost his third straight start, giving up three runs — two earned — in 6 2/3 innings. He didn’t lose consecutive starts last season.
Gift Ngoepe, the first player from Africa to reach the major leagues, singled in his first plate appearance and Josh Harrison hit a leadoff homer to lead Pittsburgh past Chicago 6-5 at home.
In Detroit, James Paxton struck out nine in seven outstanding innings, and Nelson Cruz and Guillermo Heredia homered to guide Seattle to an 8-0 whitewash of Detroit.
Eric Thames scored twice before leaving with an injury and Orlando Arcia homered and had three RBIs to help Milwaukee beat Cincinnati 9-4 for a three-game sweep.
Ryan Braun had a two-run double and a single off Reds starter Rookie Davis (0-1). Jett Bandy had three hits and two RBIs as the Brewers improved to 6-1 against the Reds this season.
In Chicago, Avisail Garcia and Leury Garcia homered to back run-starved starter Jose Quintana, and Chicago defeated Kansas City 5-2 to complete a threegame sweep.
Chicago won their fourth straight, while Kansas City dropped every game on a seven-game trip.
In Cleveland, Michael Brantley drove in three runs as Cleveland topped Houston 7-6, while Trea Turner nearly hit for the cycle for a second straight night and Bryce Harper had four more hits as Washington routed Colorado 11-4.
Maikel Franco hit his second grand slam of the month, helping Philadelphia beat Miami 7-4 for their fifth straight win, and Atlanta handed New York their fifth straight loss with an 8-2 victory.
Seth Smith drew a bases-loaded walk from Danny Farquhar to force in the winning run with two outs in the 11th inning, and Baltimore rallied to beat Tampa Bay 5-4.
Joey Gallo scored the tie-breaking run on a painful trip around the bases, Ryan Rua hit a grand slam and Texas avoided a series sweep by breaking it open late against Minnesota for a 14-3 win.
Hunter Pence hit a game-winning sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the 10th inning and San Francisco rallied to beat Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3, while San Diego also recorded a comeback 8-5 win over Arizona.