Bassitt and Marte lead Mets by Reds
NEW YORK — Chris Bassitt pitched eight strong innings, Starling Marte had two hits including a two-run home run and Tyler Naquin contributed a two-run triple as the New York Mets defeated the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 on Monday night at Citi Field.
Bassitt (9-7) allowed a run on nine hits and a walk while striking out eight.
The Mets won their fourth consecutive game and ninth in their last 11.
Marte put the Mets up 2-0 in the first with him homer off Reds starter Justin Dunn (0-1).
Naquin’s triple with two outs in the eighth off Ryan Hendrix upped New York’s lead to 5-1.
Orioles power past Blue Jays
Ramon Urias hit a three-run homer, and Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Hays also homered as host Baltimore beat Toronto 7-4 .
The Orioles, who entered the day two games behind Seattle and Tampa Bay for the final two wild cards, pulled within three games of Toronto.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to 19 games, the longest in the AL this year.
Cubs claim Reyes; Heyward to leave
The Chicago Cubs claimed outfielder Franmil Reyes from Cleveland.
The Guardians had sent Reyes to Class AAA Columbus last week before designating him for assignment on Saturday. Cleveland will be responsible for the $1.5 million left on Reyes’ $4.55 million contract.
Reyes, who hit 30 homers with 85 RBIs last season, began the season as Cleveland’s cleanup hitter.
But he went on the disabled list in May with a right hamstring injury and was never was able to find his swing after reappearing in the big league lineup on June 21.
The Cubs will cut ties with right fielder Jason Heyward after the season.
“We’re not going have him with the team next year,” Jed Hoyer, Cubs President of Baseball Operations, said Monday. “We’ve already talked to him about that. We want to give him the full offseason to find an opportunity.”
Heyward, who turns 33 on Tuesday, signed an eight-year, $184 million contract prior to the 2016 season but has batted only .245 with 62 home runs in seven seasons with the Cubs.
Eckersley leaving broadcast booth
Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley said Monday that he will be leaving the Boston Red Sox broadcasts at the end of the season, his 50th in Major League Baseball.