Bird returns in Yankees win
NEW YORK — Greg Bird reached base three times in his long-awaited return to the Yankees’ lineup and Jacoby Ellsbury homered and drove in four runs, leading Sonny Gray and New York over the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Saturday.
Bird singled, walked twice and scored in his first game since May 1. Hobbled by ankle and foot problems, the young first baseman could provide a spark for the AL wild-card leader — after his hit, the Yankee Stadium sound system played the theme song from ’70s sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter.”
Ellsbury hit a three-run homer and an RBI single. Relegated to a role of a fourth outfielder during an injury-slowed season, he connected off Yovani Gallardo (5-10) in a matchup of playoff contenders. A ORIOLES 7, RED SOX 0: Kevin Gausman allowed four singles over 7 2⁄3 innings and Baltimore beat host Boston. A BREWERS 3, DODGERS 0: Zach Davies pitched seven dominant innings against host Los Angeles in Milwaukee’s win. A NATIONALS 9, METS 4: Adrian Sanchez drove in three runs to help bench-heavy Washington beat visiting New York. A INDIANS 4, ROYALS 0: Mike Clevinger pitched six sharp innings in host Cleveland’s win over Kansas City. A ROCKIES 7, BRAVES 6: Charlie Blackmon hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and Colorado beat host Atlanta. A CUBS 17, PHILLIES 2: Anthony Rizzo and Tommy La Stella each homered twice as Chicago routed host Philadelphia. A BLUE JAYS 10, TWINS 9: Josh Donaldson had three hits as Toronto held off a late rally by visiting Minnesota for the win. A CARDINALS 6, RAYS 4: Tommy Pham hit a two-run homer and host St. Louis rallied for a victory over Tampa Bay. A DIAMONDBACKS 2, GIANTS 1: A.J. Pollock and J.D. Martinez homered for host Arizona in a win over San Francisco. A ATHLETICS 8, RANGERS 3: Chad Pinder homered twice to help host Oakland with a victory over Texas. A MIAMI 2, SAN DIEGO 1(11): Miguel Rojas hit a one-out sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and host Miami beat San Diego. A TIGERS 6, WHITE SOX 3: Justin Upton and Miguel Cabrera hit back-to-back homers in visiting Detroit’s win over Chicago. A PIRATES 1, REDS 0: Gerrit Cole hit a solo homer and pitched seven innings in Pittsburgh win over host Cincinnati.