Baker gets 2,000th win as Astros down Mariners
HOUSTON >> Dusty Baker became the 12th manager in major league history and the first Black man to reach 2,000 wins with the Houston Astros' 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve each hit a solo homer and rookie Jeremy Peña had two RBIs to help the Astros to their second consecutive victory.
Ten of the 11 other managers who have accumulated at least 2,000 wins are in the Hall of Fame. Bruce Bochy (2,003), who isn't yet eligible, is the only exception.
The 72-year-old Baker's career record is 2,000-1,745 and he's the only manager in major league history to take five different teams to the postseason.
Baker, one of two Black managers in the majors, said being the first to reach the milestone makes it even more meaningful.
“It means extra,” he said. “It means extra to the culture. It means extra to society. It means extra to my race, and it means extra hopefully for others to get an opportunity (so) I'm not the last.”
Cristian Javier (2-0) allowed two hits over 5 1/3 innings in his second start after opening the season in the Houston bullpen. Three relievers combined after Javier's exit to shut out the Mariners for the second straight game after getting a 3-0 win in the series opener Monday. YANKEES 9, BLUE JAYS 1 >> Aaron Judge homered and drove in three runs, Jameson Taillon allowed one run in six innings, and New York extended its winning streak to 11 games by beating Toronto.
Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run home run in the ninth, his fifth of the season. New York leads the MLB with 34 home runs this season, including 23 in the past 11 games.
Judge's homer was his ninth, tying teammate Anthony Rizzo for the bigleague lead. New York's winning streak also is the longest in the majors this season.
Taillon (2-1) allowed five hits, walked none, and struck out four to win his second straight decision.
Toronto snapped a streak of 32 games without consecutive losses, dating back to Sept. 24, 2021. The Blue Jays also lost a series for the first time this season.
Blue Jays right-hander Alex Manoah retired 15 straight batters, striking out six. Adam Cimber (4-1) replaced Manoah in the sixth and ended up with the loss. TWINS 7, ORIOLES 2 >> Ryan Jeffers hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the sixth inning and surging Minnesota defeated Baltimore for its fourth straight victory.
The Twins have won 12 of 13 to move six games over .500 (15-9) and into first place in the AL Central, which does not have another team with a winning record.
This game was tied at 2 before the Twins took control in the sixth. Gary Sanchez hit a one-out double off Joey Krehbiel (1-3), Trevor Larnich walked and Jeffers followed with a drive over the center-field wall. He has three home runs this season, all in his last seven games.
Minnesota pulled away with a two-run ninth that featured an RBI double by Byron Buxton.
Twins starter Joe Ryan gave up two runs in 4 2/3 innings. He was followed by Caleb Thielbar (1-0), the first of three Minnesota relievers.
METS 5, BRAVES 4, GAME 1>> Pete Alonso had two RBI singles as the Mets pounced early against Charlie Morton, and New York's bullpen closed out a five-hitter for a win over Atlanta.
Morton (1-3) had 56 pitches through two innings but rebounded to cover 5 2/3 on 99 pitches, allowing five runs — four earned — on six hits. The 38-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA this season to 6.85.
Matt Olson hit a threerun homer in the fifth against starter David Peterson (1-0), his third of the season, to pull Atlanta within 5-4. The drive came one pitch after Peterson made his first career error.
Peterson stumbled during a three-run fifth but was otherwise sharp after being recalled Tuesday from Triple-A. The lefthander was charged with four runs — three earned — and four hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
Edwin Díaz struck out two and worked around a single in the ninth for his fifth save.
METS 3, BRAVES 0, GAME 2 >> Carlos Carrasco dodged trouble for eight innings, Pete Alonso homered against Kyle Wright on an off night for Atlanta's breakout right-hander and New York Mets beat the Braves to complete a doubleheader sweep.
BREWERS 6, REDS 3 >> Brandon Woodruff struck out 12 to tie his career high, Willy Adames hit a threerun homer and Milwaukee Brewers beat Cincinnati.
RANGERS 6, PHILLIES 4 >> Mitch Garver and Jonah Heim homered and Zach Reks snapped a tie game with a two-RBI double, leading Texas over Philadelphia.
RED SOX 4, ANGELS 0 >> Rafael Devers homered, Michael Wacha pitched into the sixth inning and Boston beat Los Angeles.
ROYALS 7, CARDINALS 1 >> Bobby Witt Jr. hit his first major league home run, Brad Keller pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and Kansas City Royals beat St. Louis to end a four-game losing streak.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, MARLINS 4 >> Christian Walker had a home run, double and three RBIs, and Arizona held on to beat Miami.
WHITE SOX 3, CUBS 1 >> Tim Anderson homered and José Abreu made two nice plays at first base, helping the Chicago White Sox beat the Chicago Cubs on a rainy, chilly night at Wrigley Field.
NATIONALS 10, ROCKIES 2 >> Erick Fedde pitched seven sharp innings, Josh Bell and Juan Soto homered, and Washington continued its high-scoring ways on the road by beating Colorado.
Keibert Ruiz had three hits and three RBIs and Yadiel Hernández added three hits and two RBIs for the Nationals, who entered the game averaging a major-league high 6.4 runs on the road.