Hicks’ 2 HRs power Yanks
Aaron Hicks homered twice and rookie Jordan Montgomery pitched seven stellar innings to lead the Yankees to an 8-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles in American League action last night in New York.
Starlin Castro also connected for the AL East leaders in the opener of a three-game series between division foes. New York has won three straight, outscoring the Red Sox and Orioles by a 25-3 margin over the last three nights.
Jonathan Schoop hit an early two-run homer for the third-place Orioles.
Rays 13, Athletics 4 — In St. Petersburg, Fla., Tampa Bay tied a season high with five home runs, and Alex Cobb went six innings, in a rout of Oakland.
Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier is expected to miss at least two months after breaking his right hip during a slide Thursday. Tampa Bay recalled Mallex Smith from Triple A.
Angels 9, Astros 4 — Cameron Maybin starred in his return from the disabled list, finishing with three hits and a career-high four steals, Martín Maldonado had a two-run homer and Kole Calhoun had three RBI to lead Los Angeles past host Houston.
Indians 7, White Sox 3 — Edwin Encarnacion hit a go-ahead two-run homer, Corey Kluber went six innings to win his second straight start since coming off the disabled list and Cleveland beat visiting Chicago.
Mariners 4, Blue Jays 2 — Danny Valencia and Jarrod Dyson had RBI singles as part of a seventh-inning rally, and host Seattle beat Toronto for its 10th win in 12 games.
National League
Rockies 5, Cubs 3 — Rockies closer Greg Holland walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning before escaping with his majorsbest 23rd save, and Colorado held off host Chicago, which managed just three singles, for its season-high sixth win in a row.
Cubs shortstop Addison Russell returned to the team a day after the club told him not to come to Wrigley Field while MLB investigates a domestic abuse claim. He didn’t play.
Braves 3, Mets 2 — Dansby Swanson hit a two-run double in the sixth inning, then turned a grounder up the middle into a hustle double in the ninth and scored on pinch-hitter Rio Ruiz’ single to push Atlanta past visiting New York.
Cardinals 3, Phillies 2 — Aledmys Diaz hit a solo home run and Michael Wacha (3-3) pitched six strong innings as host St. Louis snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win against Philadelphia.
Marlins 12, Pirates 7 — Tyler Moore hit a pair of home runs, Giancarlo Stanton added a long homer and visiting Miami went on the offensive to outlast Pittsburgh.
Dodgers 7, Reds 2 — Justin Turner hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat off the disabled list, Enrique Hernandez added a solo shot and Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda combined on a five-hitter to lead host Los Angeles over Cincinnati.
Interleague
Rangers 5, Nationals 2 — Andrew Cashner (3-5) quieted the National League’s top-hitting lineup for seven innings, Jonathan Lucroy and Rougned Odor homered, and visiting Texas topped Washington.
Twins 4, Giants 0 — Ervin Santana pitched a four-hitter for his third shutout of the season and hit a threerun double in another stellar bounce-back start, leading visiting Minnesota over San Francisco.
Padres 6, Royals 3— Pinch-hitter Matt Szczur hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning and host San Diego beat Kansas to snap a five-game losing streak.