MLB: Soto’s double pushes Nats by Orioles

Juan Soto hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning, and the Nationals beat the Orioles 4-2 on Thursday night in the deciding matchup of a three-game interleague series between neighboring rivals.

Anthony Rendon homered for the Nationals, who received seven strong innings from starter Max Scherzer and flawless work from their bullpen. Scherzer left a tied game after allowing two runs — both on solo homers — and striking out nine. Newcomer Kelvin Herrera pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Sean Doolittle got three straight outs for his 20th save in 21 tries.

In Minneapolis, Rick Porcello allowed one hit in seven innings, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi homered, and the Red Sox beat the Twins 9-2. Xander Bogaerts had two RBIs for the Red Sox, who had a season-high 16 hits.

After a first-inning single by Logan Morrison, ending a 0-for-30 stretch against Boston, Porcello retired 19 of 20 Twins hitters, including the last 16. Throwing 97 pitches, he struck out five and walked one over seven innings.

In Cincinnati, Jesse Winker hit his first career grand slam during a big sixth-inning rally, putting Matt Harvey in line for his second win for the Reds, 6-2 over the Cubs.

The Reds sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six times in the sixth, matching their biggest inning of the season. Kyle

Hendricks walked three to set up the two-out rally, including Eugenio Suarez with the bases loaded. Winker connected on the second pitch from left-hander Randy Rosa

rio, who hadn’t allowed a homer this season. Harvey went six innings for his first victory since May 22, allowing five hits, including Javier Baez’s two-run double.