Yanks, Nats split in quirky twin bill

WASHINGTON — Aaron Hicks’ go-ahead two-run homer helped the New York Yankees beat Washington 4-2 in the second game of an unusual semi-doubleheader Monday after pinch hitter Juan Soto’s tiebreaking two-run shot for the Nationals won the opener 5-3.

These games originally were scheduled more than a month ago, and Game 1 resumed after being suspended because of rain in the middle of the sixth — so technically, Soto managed to homer in a game played before he made his major league debut. Huh? Soto, 19, was called up from the minors for the first time five days after Game 1 started May 15; it picked back up at 3-all and the Nationals about to bat in the bottom of the sixth. After Bryce Harper — who had a beard back on May 15, when the game began but was clean-shaven this time — struck out and Anthony Rendon singled, Soto drove a fastball from Chad Green to the back of the second deck in right field.

RANGERS 6, ROYALS 3: Adrian Beltre had a three-run homer, and Shin-Soo Choo added a slot shot in Texas’ victory at Kansas City, Mo. Bartolo Colon (4-4) earned his 244th win, passing Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for the most by a pitcher born in the Dominican Republic.

PHILLIES 6, CARDINALS 5: Left fielder Marcell Ozuna dived for and missed Aaron Altherr’s two-run double with two out in the 10th inning, allowing Philadelphia to rally past visiting St. Louis.

PIRATES 1, MARLINS 0: Trevor Williams pitched onehit ball over seven innings, and two Pittsburgh relievers closed out a two-hitter agaisnt visiting Milwaukee. Williams struck out seven and walked two for his first victory in a month.

METS 12, ROCKIES 2: Brandon Nimmo homered twice, including an inside-the-park shot to begin the game, and visiting New York finally gave Jacob deGrom some run support in a rout of Colorado.

INDIANS 6, WHITE SOX 2: Trevor Bauer shut out Chicago for seven innings before a rain delay ended his night, and Jason Kipnis homered to lead Cleveland past visiting Chicago.