Kluber, Indians spoil Gray’s Yankees debut
Corey Kluber upstaged Sonny Gray’s debut for the Yankees by pitching a three-hitter and leading the Indians to a 5-1 win over sloppy New York last night in Cleveland.
Kluber struck out 11 and the Indians ace threw his third complete game this season as the defending AL champions won the opener of a four-game series with a potential playoff opponent. It ended their losing streak at three.
For five innings, Gray was nearly as good as Kluber, but New York made three errors in the first behind the right-hander, acquired at Monday’s trade deadline from Oakland to help the Yankees return to the postseason.
Gray allowed only two hits until the fifth, when Yan Gomes broke an 0-for13 slide by hitting a twoout, two-run double to put Cleveland up 4-0.
Kluber was locked in from the start and carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh inning before Gary Sanchez belted his 17th homer, a 427-foot laser shot to center.
The Yankees sat struggling slugger Aaron Judge for the series opener. The major league home run leader is batting just .164 (11 of 67) with 29 strikeouts since the All-Star break.
Rangers 4, Twins 1 — In Minneapolis, Joey Gallo hit another massive homer, a three-run shot in the fourth inning that spurred Texas past Minnesota.
A.J. Griffin (5-2) made his first start in more than two months, returning from a muscle strain around his chest to win for the first time since May 9.
Royals 6, Mariners 4 — Brandon Moss hit two home runs and Lorenzo Cain drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh as host Kansas City beat Seattle.
The Royals rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 for their 32nd comeback victory that snapped a threegame losing streak.
Tigers 7, Orioles 5 — Justin Upton homered and drove in two runs, and Detroit shook off two rain delays and a triple play to win in Baltimore.
Ian Kinsler hit his 45th career leadoff home run for the Tigers, who built a 7-0 lead in the third inning and ended Baltimore’s fivegame winning streak. Before the game, the Tigers placed right-hander Michael Fulmer on the 10-day disabled list with an elbow injury.
Interleague
Giants 11, Athletics 2 — Ty Blach pitched eight strong innings and hit a three-run homer and Jarrett Parker had three hits and three RBI in his first game back from the disabled list as host San Francisco Giants defeated Oakland to split the four-game home-andhome Bay Bridge Series.
National League
Diamondbacks 10, Cubs 8— Paul Goldschmidt snapped a tie in the ninth inning with his third home run of the game, and Arizona pulled out a raindelayed victory over host Chicago.
Goldschmidt hit a 3-2 pitch from Wade Davis (21) deep into the right-center bleachers with one out. J.D. Martinez followed Davis with another solo blast off the Cubs closer. Dodgers 7, Braves 4 — Alex Wood allowed one run in six innings to avenge his lone loss of the season, Chris Taylor hit a two-run homer, and Los Angeles beat host Atlanta.
The Dodgers are a red hot 21-3 since July 4, with all three losses against the Braves.
Brewers 2, Cardinals 1 — Keon Broxton drove in the go-ahead run and saved a run with a leaping catch, Matt Garza made a strong start in his return from the disabled list, and host Milwaukee beat St. Louis.
Rockies 5, Mets 4 — Charlie Blackmon and Mark Reynolds homered, and Nolan Arenado walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and Colorado beat New York in Denver.
Pirates 6, Reds 0 — Chad Kuhl allowed four hits in seven innings, Starling Marte went 3-for-4 and scored three times and host Pittsburgh had little trouble with Cincinnati.