Gators win College World Series over LSU
CLEVELAND » Adrian Beltre had an extra reason to celebrate moving up the all-time home run list. This latest shot also won a game.
Beltre hit his 450th career homer, a solo drive in the ninth inning off Cody Allen that sent the Texas Rangers over the Cleveland Indians 2-1.
“Obviously it’s a good milestone, but I don’t want to get caught up on thinking about that right now,” he said. “Hopefully I can accumulate some more.”
Beltre drove the first pitch from Allen (0-4) into the left field bleachers, and moved into sole possession of 39th place on the career chart.
“That’s just another piece of the legend of Adrian Beltre, really, and just what he’s able to do, especially late in the game,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister.
Beltre has been limited to 24 games because of a right calf injury, but has 13 RBIs in his last nine games, including a three-run homer Monday.
“He got me,” Allen said. “He was ready for it. Didn’t miss it. He’s done it quite a few times.”
Indians manager Terry Francona missed the game after his second trip to the hospital this month. He left Monday night’s game because he wasn’t feeling well and spent several hours at Cleveland Clinic undergoing tests. Bench coach Brad Mills filled in for Francona, who is expected to return Wednesday. NATIONALS 6, CUBS 1 » Max Scherzer pitched six sharp innings, Trea Turner had four of Washington’s seven steals and the Nationals beat Jake Arrieta and Chicago in a showdown of the past two NL Cy Young Award winners.
Scherzer (9-5) struck out six, walked none and retired 16 of his final 17 batters. The right-hander allowed an earned run in the first inning for the first time since April and his streak of 10-plus strikeout games ended at six, but he was in control almost all night. MARLINS 6, METS 3 » Ichiro Suzuki had a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning to put Miami ahead, and Christian Yelich collected three hits for the Marlins.
Suzuki poked a pitch to the opposite field against Jerry Blevins for a 4-3 lead. The 43-year-old Suzuki leads the majors with 12 pinch hits. ORIOLES 3, BLUE JAYS 1 » Kevin Gausman won for the first time in four starts, Mark Trumbo hit an RBI double and Baltimore earned its third straight win.
The Orioles improved to 8-2 against the Blue Jays this season. Toronto lost for the fifth time in seven games. RAYS 4, PIRATES 2 » David Freese misplayed a grounder at third base, allowing Steven Souza Jr. to score in the 10th inning and sending Tampa Bay to the victory. TIGERS 5, ROYALS 3» J.D. Martinez and Miguel Cabrera homered for Detroit, and Justin Verlander pitched seven strong innings.
Verlander (5-4) was down 3-0 before getting an out, but didn’t allow another run as the Tigers won their second straight after an eight-game losing streak. He gave up nine hits, struck out six and walked one. REDS 8, BREWERS 6 » Joey Votto hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth inning, helping the last-place Reds get the win.
Billy Hamilton, Adam Duvall and Eugenio Suarez also connected for Cincinnati, which scored its most runs in 19 games since Scooter Gennett hit four homers in its 13-1 win over St. Louis on June 6. Tim Adleman (5-4) pitched five innings and Raisel Iglesias got three outs for his 13th save.
Young, pitcher who lost 27 in row with Mets, dead at 51
NEW YORK » Anthony Young pitched way better than his record showed. Working as a starter or reliever, whether at home or on the road, he often threw well enough to win. But for the longest time, he never did. Young, who set a major league record with 27 straight losses for the New York Mets, died Tuesday. He was 51.
The team said Young died in Houston after a long illness. He had told Mets teammates at a fantasy camp this year that he had a brain tumor.
“A.Y. took a lot of kidding about his losing records,” said Doug Flynn, a former Mets second baseman and fantasy camp coach. “But he was the victim of some bad luck during the streak. He knew inside that he was a better pitcher than his numbers.”