Soto’s clutch 2-run double carries Nats over O’s, Yankees’ Severino records 11th win
>> WASHINGTON: Juan Soto lined a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to give the Washington Nationals a 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday at Nationals Park.
The game was tied at 2 until the game-winning rally against Mychal Givens (0-4) in the eighth. Bryce Harper doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a Trea Turner single. One out later, Soto, a 19-yearold rookie, lined a pitch into the gap in left-centre, scoring both runners.
Recently acquired right-hander Kelvin Herrera (2-1) got the win thanks to a scoreless eighth. Sean Doolittle then earned his 20th save in the ninth.
Nationals ace Max Scherzer threw seven strong innings, yielding just solo homers to Colby Rasmus and Mark Trumbo. Baltimore’s Kevin Gausman gave up two runs in six innings.
Luis Severino became the second 11-game winner in the major leagues as hosts New York completed a three-game sweep of Seattle with a 4-3 victory.
In 5 2/3 innings, Severino (11-2) allowed three runs on eight hits. It matched his second-shortest outing of the season and was only the fourth time the right-hander did not complete six innings.
Aaron Judge and rookie Miguel Andujar slugged two-run homers in the first inning off James Paxton (6-2) as the Yankees won for the 17th time in 21 games.
Rookie Jesse Winker belted a grand slam to highlight a six-run sixth inning as hosts Cincinnati rallied to beat Chicago 6-2.
Winker’s fourth home run of the season greeted left-hander Randy Rosario, who was brought on to face the left-handed hitter after Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks exited with one run in, the bases loaded and two outs.
It was the Reds’ fourth straight win and seventh in their past nine games. The Cubs have lost three of their last five but have won 17 of their past 26.
Cincinnati’s Matt Harvey (2-5) matched his longest stint of the season by going six innings. He gave up two runs on five hits.
Jon Jay drove in two runs and scored twice as visiting Arizona roughed up Pittsburgh starter Chad Kuhl for an early eight-run lead en route to an easy 9-3 win.
Jay, a Pirates killer who is hitting .333 against them in his career, was 2-for-4 with two doubles. Ketel Marte and Alex Avila homered for Arizona, which has won 10 of 13, including three of four against the Pirates.
Rookie Austin Meadows went 3-for-4 and scored a run for Pittsburgh.