A’s too strong for White Sox
CHICAGO: Matt Olson hit his first two major league home runs, Jaycob Brugman and Franklin Barreto also launched their first career shots and the Oakland Athletics routed the Chicago White Sox 10-2 on Saturday.
Barreto homered in his big league debut. He joined Olson and Brugman in becoming the second trio of teammates to hit their first homers in the same game, the Elias Sports Bureau said. It also happened in 1914 with the Kansas City Packers of the Federal League — the rival circuit lasted a couple of seasons, and included many big leaguers.
Former White Sox ace Mark Buehrle had his No.56 jersey retired in a pre-game ceremony. After the 30-minute tribute ended, the A’s roughed up James Shields (1-1).
Daniel Gossett (1-2) took advantage of an early 6-0 lead to win for the first time in three big league starts. He gave up two unearned runs in six innings.
White Sox manager Rick Renteria was ejected for the second straight game.
In St Petersburg, Dylan Bundy helped Baltimore avoid a dubious pitching record, throwing seven solid innings as the Orioles beat Tampa Bay 8-3.
The Orioles had given up at least five runs in 20 straight games, matching the major league mark set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies.
In Washington, Michael Taylor homered twice among his four hits, Trea Turner went 5 for 5 and the Nationals romped 18-3 over the Reds.
Daniel Murphy had four RBIs for the Nationals. All of Turner’s career-high five hits were singles including a pair of runscoring hits.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx pitched seven dazzling innings in his first shot at the New York Yankees after 12 seasons in the minors, and Carlos Gomez homered for Texas, who won 8-1.
Jason Vargas became the first major league pitcher to reach 11 wins this season, pitching seven efficient innings to lead surging Kansas City 3-2 over Toronto.
Brian Dozier hit a leadoff homer against closer Cody Allen to break an eighth-inning tie and Minnesota defeated Cleveland 4-2.
In Atlanta, Brandon Phillips homered for the third straight game, RA Dickey threw seven strong innings and the Braves beat Milwaukee 3-1.
Jon Lester gave up a three-run homer to JT Realmuto in the first inning and then settled down to help the Chicago Cubs beat Miami 5-3.
Jacob deGrom pitched eight strong innings and Wilmer Flores homered as the New York Mets defeated San Francisco 5-2.
In St Louis, Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison homered and starter Gerrit Cole pitched six innings, lifting Pittsburgh 7-3 over the Cardinals.
JC Ramirez rebounded from his shortest career start with six solid innings, Cameron Maybin doubled home a run and scored another and the Los Angeles Angels held off the Boston Red Sox 6-3.
In Seattle, Josh Reddick homered, Brian McCann added a three-run double and Lance McCullers pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the disabled list to lift the Houston Astros 5-2 over the Mariners.
Jake Lamb homered, Chris Herrmann drove in three runs and Daniel Descalso had three hits, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks past the Philadelphia Phillies 9-2.
Clayton Kershaw threw six innings and Joc Pederson kept the streaking Dodgers’ power surge alive with a home run in a 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles’ ninth consecutive win.
In San Diego, Pinch-hitter Hector Sanchez slugged a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, powering the Padres past Detroit 7-3 and sending the Tigers to their eighth consecutive loss.