Mercer, Bell power Pirates
Josh Bell hit his second home run in as many games and the Pirates got to CC Sabathia early for a 6-3 win against the New York Yankees in interleague action last night in Pittsburgh.
Jordy Mercer led off with a solo shot against Sabathia (2-1) in the first and Bell followed an inning later with a two-run homer to give Pittsburgh a four-run cushion after its first pair of at-bats.
Juan Nicasio (1-2) pitched 11⁄ innings of scoreless relief after Tyler Glasnow faltered with two outs in the fifth. Tony Watson got out of a two-on, two-outs jam in the ninth for his fifth save as the Pirates ended a three-game losing streak.
American League
Astros 6, Rays 3 — In St. Petersburg, Fla., Carlos Beltran homered and Houston rallied by Tampa Bay, which led early on homers by Corey Dickerson, Logan Morrison and Evan Longoria.
With 1,040 extra-base hits, Beltran is one behind Pete Rose for third all-time among switch-hitters behind Eddie Murray (1,099) and Chipper Jones (1,055).
Indians 3, White Sox 0 — Corey Kluber (2-1) pitched a three-hitter and faced two over the minimum, leading Cleveland to the shutout against Jose Quintana (0-4) and host Chicago.
Austin Jackson scored on a wild pitch and Brandon Guyer hit a two-run homer.
Rangers 6, Royals 2 — In Arlington, Texas, Joey Gallo and Robinson Chirinos each homered twice off Nate Karns (0-1) to back a season-high eight innings from Cole Hamels (1-0), and Texas topped Kansas City.
Twins 6, Tigers 3 — In Minneapolis, Eddie Rosario’s three-run homer capped a six-run sixth inning, helping Minnesota overtake Justin Verlander (1-2) and Detroit, whose Miguel Cabrera left with a groin strain.
Athletics 3, Mariners 1— Yonder Alonso and Trevor Plouffe homered, and Sean Manaea allowed one run over five innings, fanning six, as host Oakland Athletics beat Seattle.
National League
Rockies 6, Giants 5 — In Denver, Trevor Story hit his first career grand slam and Charlie Blackmon had an inside-the-park homer as part of a six-run fourth that led Colorado by San Francisco, which welcomed manager Bruce Bochy back from a minor heart procedure but also placed ace Madison Bumgarner (ribs, shoulder) on the disabled list following his dirt bike accident Thursday.
Nationals 4, Mets 3 — Bryce Harper homered early, then doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the 11th inning on a bases-loaded walk issued by Jeurys Familia, giving visiting Washington its fifth straight win, against New York, which started Matt Harvey in place of Jacob deGrom (neck).
Cubs 6, Reds 5 — Anthony Rizzo tied it with a twoout, three-run homer in the ninth inning, and Kris Bryant hit a sacrifice fly in the 11th, rallying Chicago past host Cincinnati.
Phillies 4, Braves 3 — Jeremy Hellickson (3-0) allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks in seven innings, and Cesar Hernandez had three hits and scored twice as host Philadelphia beat Atlanta.
Padres 5, Marlins 3 — Austin Hedges hit a threerun home run and host San Diego held off Miami, which got homers from Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton, whose two-run shot made things interesting in the ninth inning.
Cardinals 6, Brewers 3 — Adam Wainwright (1-3) pitched five innings for his first win of the season, and hit a two-run homer and a two-run single, leading visiting St. Louis by Ottawa.
Diamondbacks 13, Dodgers 5 — In Phoenix, Paul Goldschmidt, Yasmany Tomas and Chris Iannetta each drove in two runs in a nine-run eighth and Arizona turned a close game into a rout of Los Angeles.