Houston’s Morton stymies Cleveland
Houston’s Charlie Morton remained unbeaten this season — and knew where to place the credit for his victory Thursday.
Morton (7-0) pitched six solid innings, Alex Bregman and Jake Marisnick hit three-run homers and the visiting Astros defeated Cleveland 8-2.
“I felt like I was along for the ride,” Morton said. “It was just one of those days for me. They picked me up all night.”
The right-hander allowed two runs and five hits while extending his career-best winning streak to 10 games. Morton, who moved into a tie for the AL lead in wins, hasn’t lost since Sept. 9, 2017, against the A’s. He walked three and struck out five.
Morton fell behind after Michael Brantley’s two-run single in the third, but his offense gave him plenty of support. Houston scored three runs in the fifth and added five in the sixth.
“It was an absolute team win,” Morton said. “It’s pretty fun to be a part of this special team.”
The defending World Series champions have won four straight.
“These guys are really good,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “Even last year, before they won the World Series, the way they played the game really stood out. They’re fun to play, not because you think you’re going to push them around, but because they play so well.”
Cleveland’s Mike Clevinger opened with four scoreless innings, but couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead in the fifth. Bregman capped the inning with his fifth homer over the 19-foot high wall in left field that put Houston ahead. He added an RBI double in the sixth.
Marisnick, recalled from the minors Wednesday, homered to straightaway center in the sixth off Neil Ramirez. Marisnick was sent to Triple-A Fresno on May 15 and recalled when outfielder Josh Reddick went on the 10-day disabled list with a leg infection. Marisnick, batting .141 going into the game, also singled.
Orioles 9, White Sox 3: Dylan Bundy struck out 14 and pitched a twohitter for his second complete game in the majors as Baltimore improved to 6-21 on the road.
Adam Jones and Trey Mancini hit solo homers to help the Orioles take a 9-0 lead after three innings. Jones and Manny Machado each had three hits, and Chance Sisco drove in three runs.
“Man, it was fun,” Bundy said. “Our offense gave us a pretty big lead today early, so I was just trying to attack the hitters with fastballs early in the count and try to get ahead as best I could.” Mets 5, Brewers 0: Brandon Nimmo had four hits and Steven Matz pitched six innings as visiting New York won the opener of the fourgame series.
Nimmo had a triple, two doubles, a single and a walk to raise his onbase percentage to .450, best in the majors among players with at least 100 plate appearances. Asdrubal Cabrera and Wilmer Flores each added two RBIs.
“I’m in a good place right now,” Nimmo said. “I’m really glad I’ve been able to create some traffic for (Cabrera) behind me. He’s really been carrying this offense for a while now.”
Reds 5, Pirates 4: Eugenio Suarez hit a grand slam and Jesse Winker added a solo shot for host Cincinnati.
Ivan Nova dropped his sixth straight start against the Reds as Pittsburgh lost for the fifth time in six games. Angels 8, Blue Jays 1: Mike Trout and Albert Pujols each hit solo home runs and Shohei Ohtani doubled twice as Los Angeles dealt Toronto its 14th loss in its past 18 home games.
Nick Tropeano pitched 71⁄3 innings to snap a five-start winless streak.
Rays 6, Red Sox 3: Blake Snell threw six scoreless innings and Wilson Ramos drove in two runs as host Tampa Bay avoided a three-game sweep.
Snell allowed three hits, walked two and struck out eight. The left-hander is 2-0 in three starts against Boston this season, giving up two runs and 11 hits in 19 innings.
Royals 8, Rangers 2: Danny Duffy took a shutout into the eighth inning and Salvador Perez drove in four runs as visiting Kansas City won its third in a row.
Duffy allowed a run and four hits, struck out five and walked two in 72⁄3 innings in his longest outing of the season. The left-hander entered the game with a 6.88 ERA and had allowed at least five earned runs in five of his previous 10 starts.