Nationals blast eight homers vs. Brewers
Harper, Zimmerman hit two each; Scherzer surpasses 200 Ks
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals tied a franchise record with eight home runs, including two apiece by Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, and Max Scherzer pitched six innings of three-hit ball in a 15-2 rout of the fading Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
Washington matched two major league records in a seven-run third inning: Most consecutive home runs (four) and most home runs in an inning (five).
After Harper connected off Michael Blazek (0-1) in the first inning, Brian Goodwin started the long-ball barrage in the third with a two-run drive. Wilmer Difo, Harper and Zimmerman followed with long home runs.
The streak was interrupted when Daniel Murphy flied out, after which some of the fans reacted with good-natured booing.
Anthony Rendon resumed the fun with a shot to dead center that finally chased Blazek, whose first major league start was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton both homered off Wily Peralta in the fourth for a 15-1 lead.
The eight home runs tied the franchise mark set in July 1978 by the Montreal Expos against Atlanta.
Scherzer (12-5) allowed one run and struck out nine to bring his total this year to 201 — his sixth consecutive season with at least 200, the longest active streak in the majors.
INDIANS 2, ANGELS 1: In Cleveland, Trevor Bauer pitched a season-high eight innings, Francisco Lindor singled to break a tie in the seventh and the Indians won their seventh straight game.
Cleveland is on its longest winning streak of the season and is a season-high 10 games over .500. The Indians completed a 7-0 homestand.
Bauer (9-8) is 4-0 in five career starts against the Angels. He struck out six and allowed seven hits. Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his 18th save. JC Ramirez (9-9) took the loss.
BLUE JAYS 8, ATHLETICS 4 (10): In Toronto, Steve Pearce hit a game-winning grand slam in the 10th inning and the Blue Jays completed a four-game sweep.
Oakland reliever Liam Hendriks (3-2) walked the bases loaded with two outs before Pearce hooked a 3-2 pitch down the left field line and into the second deck.
CUBS 6, WHITE SOX 3: In Chicago, Kyle Schwarber homered twice and drove in four runs, and the rolling Cubs beat the White Sox for their third consecutive victory.
Anthony Rizzo also connected and Jon Lester pitched seven effective innings as the Cubs improved to 11-2 since the All-Star break. The NL Central leaders also increased their advantage over the second-place Brewers to 1½ games ahead of their big series this weekend in Milwaukee.
DIAMONDBACKS 4, CARDINALS 0: In St. Louis, J.D. Martinez hit a grand slam and Zack Godley pitched seven innings as Arizona beat St. Louis.
The Diamondbacks won their third game out of four, improved to 59-43 and snapped the Cardinals’ three-game winning streak.
MARLINS 4, REDS 1: In Miami, Chris O’Grady pitched seven scoreless innings to help Miami beat Cincinnati.
Derek Dietrich, who drove in five of Miami’s franchise-record 22 runs in a win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, homered and knocked in three.
YANKEES 6, RAYS 5 (11): In New York, shortstop Adeiney Hechavarria and second baseman Tim Beckham watched Gary Sanchez’s playable grounder bounce between them on the left side of the infield for a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Brett Gardner homered leading off the 11th, and New York beat Tampa Bay.
Aroldis Chapman (3-1) needed just 19 pitches to strike out four over two innings — including three in a row in the 11th — his longest outing since last year’s World Series.
PADRES 7, METS 5: In San Diego, Manuel Margot came within a triple of the cycle and fellow rookie Dusty Coleman hit his first major league home run, leading San Diego past New York.
Margot drove in three runs, a career-high for the former Boston Red Sox prospect.
The Mets lost for the third time in nine games despite Jay Bruce’s 26th home run, a two-run blow off Jose Torres that drew them to 7-5 in a four-run seventh.
RAYS-METS: The Mets started their veteran dispersal by trading first baseman Lucas Duda to Tampa Bay for minor league pitcher Drew Smith.
BRAVES: Atlanta has optioned struggling shortstop Dansby Swanson to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Swanson was expected to be the figurehead of a rebuilding team. He was the No. 1 overall pick by Arizona in 2015 and was regarded as one of the National League’s top rookies. He has hit only .213 with six homers and 35 RBIs. He has only three hits in 25 at-bats since the All-Star break.