Shildt, Cards continue red-hot run

Rookie Jack Flaherty pitched seven sharp innings, and the Cardinals beat the Pirates 5-2 in Mike Shildt’s first game since being promoted to full-time manager.

The Cardinals have won six of seven and are 20-5 in August. Earlier in the day, they took the interim tag off Shildt, who was put in charge after Mike Matheny was fired a day before the All-Star break.

St. Louis is 27-12 under Shildt. He was rewarded with a contract through 2020 after guiding the Cards back into playoff contention.

Flaherty (8-6) retired his first 12 batters and allowed one run and four hits. He has allowed only 14 hits and three runs in 32 innings.

Jose Martinez and Tyler O’Neill homered for the Cardinals.

Brewers continue to fade

The Reds withstood Christian Yelich’s first multihomer game for a 9-7 victory, extending the Brewers’ fade in August. Since trailing the Cubs by a game Aug. 4, Milwaukee has gone 8-11 and slid to third in the NL Central.

Red Sox win on throwing error to end skid

J.D. Martinez scored when Marlins shortstop JT Riddle threw away a potential double-play ball in the ninth inning, lifting the Red Sox over the Marlins 8-7 after a wild, back-and-forth final two innings. Boston snapped a three-game skid and avoided its first four-game losing streak of the season.

Gaffe by pinch-running pitcher costs Phils

Pinch-running pitcher Vince Velasquez was called out for leaving second base early while tagging up, resulting in a game-ending double play that gave the Nationals a 5-4 win over the Phillies, who watched Washington rally for three runs in the ninth to take a 5-3 lead.

A’s end Astros’ six-game win streak

Nick Martini hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning, and the Athletics snapped the Astros’ six-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory. The A’s moved within 1½ games of the AL West-leading Astros.