Red-hot Tribe sweep Yanks
Trevor Bauer and Ryan Merritt shut down the Yankees offense, leading the visiting Cleveland Indians to a doubleheader sweep yesterday that damaged New York’s chances to win the AL East.
Bauer won his career-best seventh straight decision, Jose Ramirez tied his big league best with four hits and the Indians took advantage of Gary Sanchez’ passed ball in a two-run first inning that stood up for a 2-1 win in the opener.
Yandy Diaz hit a two-run single in a four-run first inning against rookie Jordan Montgomery in the second game, and Edwin Encarnacion, Yan Gomes and Francisco Lindor added home runs in a 9-4 blowout that completed a three-game series sweep and extended the Indians’ winning streak to seven games.
Defending AL champion Cleveland has won 16-of-20.
New York dropped 5A games behind the first-place Red Sox in the AL East heading into a four-game series against them starting tonight.
Orioles 8, Mariners 7 — Welington Castillo was 4-for-4 with a homer and three RBI, Jonathan Schoop singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and host Baltimore beat Seattle for its season-high seventh straight victory.
The Mariners acquired right-hander Mike Leake from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Rangers 8, Astros 1 — Andrew Cashner pitched eight strong innings, Mike Napoli hit a three-run homer and Texas beat Houston in a game relocated to St. Petersburg, Fla., because of Hurricane Harvey.
The Astros announced they will return home and open a three-game series against the New York Mets on Saturday.
Twins 11, White Sox 1 — In Minneapolis, Jose Berrios pitched seven scoreless innings, Brian Dozier had four hits and Eddie Rosario homered twice as Minnesota routed Chicago.
Rays 5, Royals 3 — Logan Morrison, Steven Souza Jr. and Adeiny Hechavarria each went deep and visiting Tampa Bay beat Kansas City.
National League
Nationals 4, Marlins 0 — Stephen Strasburg tossed a six-hitter and also homered, Wilmer Difo added a home run and host Washington blanked Miami to complete a three-game sweep.
Brewers 6, Cardinals 5 — Domingo Santana and Jonathan Villar homered in the sixth inning, and center fielder Keon Broxton made a leaping catch over the wall for the final out in host Milwaukee’s win against St. Louis.
Mets 2, Reds 0 — Rafael Montero (3-9) took a onehitter into the ninth inning and New York beat host Cincinnati for the 15th time in the teams’ past 16 meetings.
Braves sweep Phillies — David Freitas lined a goahead double for his first career hit, Ender Inciarte had three hits and Atlanta completed a doubleheader sweep with a 5-2 win in Philadelphia.
Inciarte was 5-for-5 with four RBI to lead the Braves to a 9-1 rout in the opener.
Cubs 17, Pirates 3 — Kyle Schwarber hit two home runs, Ian Happ and Anthony Rizzo also went deep to back Jose Quintana, and host Chicago pounded Pittsburgh.
Padres 5, Giants 0 — Travis Wood homered and pitched into the fifth inning, Jose Pirela also went deep and host San Diego beat San Francisco.
Diamondbacks 6, Dodgers 4— In Phoenix, Paul Goldschmidt homered for the third straight game, Robbie Ray fanned 10 in 62⁄ innings
3 and Arizona sent Los Angeles to its first four-game losing streak of the season.
Interleague
Tigers 6, Rockies 2 — Justin Verlander struck out nine in six commanding innings and aided his own cause by driving in his first career run as Detroit beat Colorado in Denver.