Elflin, Phils shut out Yanks

Zach Eflin continued to shine with a four-hitter over seven shutout innings, and Rhys Hoskins hit a three-run homer to help the Phillies beat the New York Yankees 3-0 last night in Philadelphia.

Eflin, acquired in the 2014 trade that sent fan favorite and former NL MVP Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers, won his fifth straight start and kept the surprising Phillies in the thick of the NL East race.

Eflin (6-2) became the first Phillies pitcher to win five starts in a month (he had a 1.76 ERA in June) since Cole Hamels went 5-0 in May 2012. Eflin walked two, struck out six and helped the Phillies avoid a three-game sweep before beginning a key four-game series against the division rival Washington Nationals.

The Yankees, who have the best record in baseball at 52-26, sat slugging outfielder Aaron Judge for the series finale. Manager Aaron Boone wanted to pair a day of rest with today’s off day to keep Judge fresh when the team returns to the Bronx for a weekend set with the Red Sox.

Rangers 5, Padres 2 — In Arlington, Texas, Mike Minor took a perfect game into the seventh inning, ShinSoo Choo reached base for the 40th straight game and Texas beat San Diego.

Minor (6-4) was perfect until Eric Hosmer’s single up the middle with one out in the seventh.

Royals 5, Brewers 4 — Mike Moustakas’ solo homer opened a five-run seventh inning that snapped an extended run-scoring slump for Kansas City, which held off host Milwaukee in the ninth for the win.

Danny Duffy (4-7) allowed five hits over six effective innings for the Royals, who split a two-game interleague series with the NL Centralleading Brewers.

American League

Astros 7, Blue Jays 6 — Alex Bregman’s two-run homer in the ninth inning completed a big rally to lift host Houston to a win over Toronto.

It was Bregman’s third straight game with a homer and it capped a huge comeback for the Astros, who trailed 5-0 in the middle of the first inning after a terrible start by Dallas Keuchel.

Mariners 8, Orioles 7 — Denard Span hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the 11th inning after Kyle Seager delivered a two-run homer in the ninth, and visiting Seattle beat Orioles.

Athletics 3, Tigers 0 — Jed Lowrie hit an RBI double in the fourth inning and Chris Bassitt pitched six innings, helping visiting Oakland beat Detroit.

Before the game the Tigers fired pitching coach Chris Bosio because of insensitive comments that violated team policy.

National League

Reds 6, Braves 5 — Adam Duvall had a two-run single in the seventh inning, Jose Peraza homered and scored twice, and visiting Cincinnati beat Atlanta.

Pirates 5, Mets 3 — David Freese hit a go-ahead, two-run single and visiting Pittsburgh rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to beat New York.

Diamondbacks 2, Marlins 1— Robbie Ray pitched six scoreless innings in his first game in nearly two months to help visiting Arizona beat Miami.