Indians push streak to 17
Francisco Lindor homered and Cody Allen finished off another impressive performance by the bullpen with his 25th save, helping the Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles, 4-2, yesterday in Cleveland for the defending American League champs’ 17th straight victory.
Jay Bruce’s fourth-inning single put the Indians ahead to stay, and Josh Tomlin pitched into the sixth to win his fifth straight decision.
Athletics sweep Astros — Normally reliable reliever Chris Devenski allowed two runs in the seventh inning, including Chad Pinder’s tiebreaking homer with two outs, and Houston lost 11-4 as host Oakland completed a doubleheader sweep.
Houston’s third straight loss to the last-place A’s loss dropped manager A.J. Hinch’s ballclub into a tie with streaking Cleveland for the best record in the AL.
Houston lost the first game 11-1 when Astros pitchers forced in five runs with bases-loaded walks and the team tied a franchise record with 13 free passes.
Yankees 3, Rangers 1 — In Arlington, Texas, Tyler Austin hit a go-ahead single in the ninth and Aroldis Chapman earned his first save since being removed as closer to finish a one-hitter as New York beat Texas.
Texas’ only hit was a runscoring double in the fifth off Luis Severino, who went seven innings. Chase Headley drove in two runs with a tying sacrifice fly in the eighth and a walk in the ninth.
Blue Jays 5, Tigers 4 — Kevin Pillar had four hits, including a tiebreaking homer, and made another sparkling play in the outfield, Brett Anderson pitched six innings for his first victory with his new club as host Toronto beat Detroit.
Royals 5, Twins 2 — Eric Hosmer drove in the goahead run with his third hit in a three-run eighth, as host Kansas City beat Minnesota.
Mariners 8, Angels 0 — Andrew Albers (4-1) threw six shutout innings as host Seattle cruised past Los Angeles, moving within three games of Minnesota for the second wild card spot.
National League
Rockies 6, Dodgers 5 — Trevor Story hit a two-run homer and drove in three as Colorado won in Los Angeles, sending the NL West leader to its ninth straight loss and worst skid since 1992.
The majors’ best team has lost eight in a row at Chavez Ravine for the first time in 30 years. The Dodgers have dropped 14-of-15 overall.
Brewers 15, Cubs 2 — Hernan Perez homered and drove in five runs and Chase Anderson pitched five scoreless innings as Milwaukee pounded host Chicago to pull within three games of the NL Central leaders.
Brewers hurler Jimmy Nelson has a shoulder injury that will sideline the right-hander for the rest of the season.
Phillies 5, Nationals 4 — Rhys Hoskins went deep and drew three walks, Maikel Franco hit his 20th home run and visiting Philadelphia beat Washington, but Odubel Herrera had his 21-game hitting streak snapped.
Braves 6, Marlins 5 — Ender Inciarte’s bases-loaded walk from Kyle Barraclough with two outs in the ninth lifted host Atlanta over Miami, shrinking Washington’s magic number to clinch the NL East to two.
Cardinals 4, Pirates 3 — Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter homered, and host St. Louis beat Pittsburgh to pull within three games of NL Central-leading Chicago.
Padres 8, Diamondbacks 7 — In Phoenix, Carlos Asuaje hit a tying single and an error by left fielder David Peralta allowed the go-ahead run to score as San Diego overcame a five-run deficit in the ninth to beat Arizona.
Interleague
White Sox 13, Giants 1 — Jose Abreu became the first Chicago player to hit for the cycle in 17 years, and was one of six ChiSox to homer in a rout of visiting San Francisco.