Motter replaces injured Cano, lifts Mariners to win over Braves
ATLANTA » The Seattle Mariners are hoping Robinson Cano avoided a serious injury when he was pulled with tightness in his left hamstring.
If Cano misses one or more games, Taylor Motter made a case that he can keep the offense moving.
Motter replaced Cano and gave Seattle the lead with a two-run single in the eighth inning, lifting the Mariners over the Atlanta Braves 9-6 on Wednesday night.
Cano pulled up approaching second base in the third inning after his second double of the game. The Mariners also lost center fielder Guillermo Heredia, who left in the eighth after being hit on his right forearm by a pitch from Jason Motte in the seventh.
“The initial signs are they’re going to be all right,” said manager Scott Servais.
Servais said Cano had “pretty good strength” in the hamstring when tested. He said Heredia has been hit in the same spot “a couple times the last week or so.”
Motter had two hits, a double.
“Hopefully Robbie is not out, honestly I hope he is not out too long, but if he is I feel ready,” Motter said. “I feel good in the box and I want to help this team win a wild card.” ORIOLES 8, ATHLETICS 7» Zach Britton’s AL-record run of converting 60 straight save attempts ended amid the evening shadows of Camden Yards, when the Baltimore closer blew a two-run lead and failed to get out of the ninth inning in a game the Orioles ultimately won in the 12th.
Baltimore led 7-5 heading into the ninth when Britton entered to seal the victory, just as he had been doing successfully since the final days of the 2015 season. On this occasion, however, the left-hander gave up three straight hits before a sacrifice including fly by Matt Joyce tied it.
Following a walk to Khris Davis, Britton was replaced by Miguel Castro (3-1), who quelled the uprising. ASTROS 6, NATIONALS 1 » Alex Bregman hit a threerun homer and Jake Marisnick and Max Stassi added solo shots to help Houston beat Washington.
The victory snaps a ninegame losing streak to the Nationals and is just Houston’s second win in the last 15 games against Washington. RED SOX 6, INDIANS 1» Mitch Moreland hit a fifth-inning home run, and Drew Pomeranz and three relievers bested Corey Kluber.
Moreland homered to right on a 1-0 pitch from Kluber (12-4), who allowed two runs over 7.2 innings. YANKEES 10, TIGERS 2 » Gary Sanchez homered and drove in three runs, and Luis Severino pitched impressively into the seventh inning to lead New York to another lopsided win over Detroit.
Didi Gregorius and Chase Headley also homered for the Yankees, who have taken the first two games of this series by a combined score of 23-6. CUBS 9, REDS 3 » Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run homer in the ballpark near his home, Tommy La Stella added a two-run shot while subbing for Kris Bryant, and Chicago kept its second-half surge going with a victory over Cincinnati.
The defending World Series champions have won eight of 10. They are 11 games over .500 for the first time this season and have their biggest lead in the NL Central, 3 ½ games ahead of Milwaukee. BLUE JAYS 7, RAYS 6 » Kevin Pillar hit Toronto’s sixth home run of the game in the eighth inning, lifting the Blue Jays over Tampa Bay.
Pillar snapped a 6-6 tie with a homer off Tommy Hunter (2-5) to help the Blue Jays end a four-game losing streak.
It was Pillar’s of the season. 13th homer METS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 2 » Chris Flexen pitched six effective innings, rookie Dominic Smith homered and New York ended a three-game skid. The Mets won for just the second time in 10 games.
Making his sixth big league start, Flexen (3-2) gave up two runs and six hits. He walked four and struck out five.