Hamels shines in debut with Cubs

PITTSBURGH — Cole Hamels had little trouble in his return to the National League, keeping the Pittsburgh Pirates in check over five innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 9-2 victory on Wednesday night.

Hamels (6-9), acquired in a trade with Texas last week, gave up one unearned run on three hits. The four-time All-Star struck out nine and walked two to pick up his first win for a National League team in more than three years.

Willson Contreras went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs for the Cubs. Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist had three hits apiece. Brandon Kintzler worked 11⁄3 innings of scoreless relief a day after arriving in a trade from Washington.

Carlos Carrasco struck out 10 INDIANS 2, TWINS 0: while taking a shutout into the eighth inning, winning his fourth straight start since returning from the disabled list to carry Cleveland to a win at Minnesota.

Sonny Gray was chased in the ORIOLES 7, YANKEES 5: third inning by the team with worst record in the majors, and big league-loss leader Alex Cobb ended a nine-start winless streak as Baltimore won at New York.

Sean Manaea pitched effectively ATHLETICS 8, BLUE JAYS 3: into the seventh inning, Jonathan Lucroy drove in four runs, and host Oakland completed a season sweep of Toronto. The win put Oakland into a tie with Seattle for the second A.L. wild-card spot.

Tyler O'Neill hit a tiebreaking CARDINALS 6, ROCKIES 3: pinch-hit single in the sixth inning as St. Louis won at home.

Rookie Willy Adames homered RAYS 7, ANGELS 2: and drove in two runs, leading Tampa Bay to a victory at home. Adames drove in a run with a two-out single off Angels starter Nick Tropeano in the fourth inning, then scored on Mallex Smith’s triple.

Tommy Milone worked seven NATIONALS 5, METS 3: innings for his first win in more than a year, and Anthony Rendon had a home run as Washington won at home.

Jose Iglesias drove in three runs, TIGERS 7, REDS 4: Jim Adduci homered, and host Detroit survived the loss of pitcher Mike Fiers to an early injury. Fiers left after the second with a bruised left shin.

Alex Gordon hit a two-run ROYALS 10, WHITE SOX 5: homer and drove in four, helping Kansas City win on the road.