Yankees’ rally comes up shy against Rays
NEW YORK » Gary Sánchez and Rougned Odor both struck out with two runners on to blunt a ninthinning rally and the New York Yankees’ lead atop the AL wild-card standings got even tighter with a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
The Yankees’ edge fell to one game over Boston and two games over Toronto after those contenders each won. Seattle was two games back of New York going into the night.
The Yankees lost for the second time in 10 games.
Rookie Wander Franco gave the Rays a 4-1 lead by chopping a grounder up the middle for a two-run single in the ninth.
CARDINALS 4, CUBS 3 » Paul Goldschmidt hit a walkoff RBI single in the ninth inning, and the playoffbound St. Louis Cardinals won for the 19th time in their last 20 games,.
RED SOX 4, NATIONALS 2
Hunter Renfroe and Bobby Dalbec hit back-toback homers during a fourrun sixth inning, and Boston maintained its playoff position by beating Washington.
BLUE JAYS 6, ORIOLES » Steven Matz pitched seven solid innings to win his fifth straight decision, Danny Jansen homered and drove in three runs, and Toronto beat Baltimore to keep its playoff hopes alive.
METS 4, BRAVES 3 » Brandon Nimmo hit two solo home runs, Tylor Megill allowed one hit in five scoreless innings and New York ended NL East champion Atlanta’s six-game winning streak.
ROYALS 11, TWINS 6 » Salvador Perez went hitless on a night when every other Royals starter had at least one hit, and Kansas City beat Minnesota.
PHILLIES 5, MARLINS 0 » Bryce Harper had three hits including his 35th homer, Ranger Suárez pitched seven scoreless innings, and Philadelphia beat Miami.
PIRATES 9, REDS 2 » Second baseman Cole Tucker made a spectacular diving catch, then hit his first career grand slam to cap an eight-run rally in the eighth inning that sent Pittsburgh over Cincinnati.
CLEVELAND 9, RANGERS 4 » Austin Hedges and Bobby Bradley homered, Jose Ramirez drove in three runs, and rookie Eli Morgan won his third straight start.
WHITE SOX 8, TIGERS 1 » Lance Lynn pitched onerun ball over five innings, José Abreu homered and drove in four runs, and Chicago White Sox beat Detroit for their fifth straight win.