Gonzalez, Astros stomp Mariners
Marwin Gonzalez hit two of Houston’s four home runs, and the Astros knocked the Mariners from the lead for the second wild card in the American League with an 8-3 win yesterday in Seattle.
After a five-game losing streak, the Astros rebounded to win the final two games of the series. Houston has a five-game cushion over Seattle in the AL West and dropped the Mariners into a tie with surging Oakland for the second AL wild card spot.
Dallas Keuchel improved to 6-1 in his past nine starts, throwing seven innings, allowing three runs and striking out two.
Rays 7, Angels 2 — In St. Petersburg, Fla., rookie Willy Adames homered and drove in two runs on the day he got the regular shortstop job, as Tampa Bay beat Los Angeles.
Jake Bauers added a two-run homer in the ninth. Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (three IPs, one run, 5 Ks) and left fielder Tommy Pham (0-for-3, BB) played in their first game for the Rays a day after being acquired on the interleague trade deadline.
Indians 2, Twins 0 — In Minneapolis, Carlos Carrasco struck out 10 while taking a shutout into the eighth inning, winning his fourth straight start since returning from the disabled list, to carry Cleveland past Minnesota.
Brad Hand recorded the last five outs for his second save with the Indians, who stretched their lead over the Twins in the AL Central to 10 games.
Athletics 8, Blue Jays 3 — Sean Manaea pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Jonathan Lucroy drove in four runs and host Oakland completed a season sweep of Toronto, winning all seven games between the teams this year.
National League
Cubs 9, Pirates 2 — Cole Hamels had little trouble in his return to the National League, keeping host Pittsburgh in check over five innings to lead Chicago to victory.
Hamels gave up one unearned run on three hits, fanning nine and walking two. Willson Contreras went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI for the Cubs.
Nationals 5, Mets 3 — Tommy Milone worked seven strong innings to get his first win in more than a year, Anthony Rendon homered and host Washington moved above .500 by beating New York the day following its 25-4 blowout of the Mets.
Shawn Kelley’s outburst on the mound in that blowout got him booted from the Nationals, who designated Kelley for assignment, a day after he threw his glove to the ground and glared into the dugout while working the ninth inning.
Mets left-hander Steven Matz will be evaluated by doctors after experiencing forearm discomfort and pain after he failed to get out of the first inning in Tuesday’s blowout.
Braves, Marlins ppd. — Atlanta’s home game against Miami was postponed following steady rain throughout the day. The game never started and was called about 90 minutes after its scheduled starting time.
The game will be made up as the first game of a split doubleheader on Aug. 13, when Miami returns to Atlanta.
Interleague
Tigers 7, Reds 4 — Jose Iglesias drove in three runs, Jim Adduci homered and host Detroit survived the loss of pitcher Mike Fiers to injury to beat Cincinnati.