Rookie gets game-tying, winning hits

CHICAGO — Rookie Yoan Moncada tied the game with a home run in the ninth inning and then drove home the winning run in the 11th to lift the White Sox past Houston, 3-2, on Thursday, as the American League’s worst team swept a three-game series from its best.

Leury Garcia led off the 11th by hitting a single past a diving second baseman Jose Altuve, and then advanced to second after right fielder Josh Reddick bobbled the ball. Then, on the second pitch from reliever Francis Martes, Moncada knocked a single past a diving Altuve again for the game-winner.

Earlier, Moncada, the top White Sox top prospect, connected against Astros closer Ken Giles for his second career home run. It was the third blown save of the season for Giles, who has converted 22.

Martes (4-2) struck out all three batters he faced in the 10th inning, but allowed the pair of hits in the 11th.

David Holmberg (2-3) got the last out of the 11th to earn the win. Carlos Rodon threw his third straight quality start without earning a win.

RAYS 4, INDIANS 1

In St. Petersburg, Fla., Corey Dickerson’s three-run homer in the eighth inning carried the Rays.

Dickerson’s two-out blast off Nick Goody (1-2), his 22nd, came after Adeiny Hechavarria singled and Jesus Sucre was hit by a pitch.

Tommy Hunter (2-2) worked 1⅔ scoreless innings in relief of Blake Snell to get the win. Alex Colome pitched the ninth for his 34th save.

Francisco Lindor opened the game with a double and scored on Jose Ramirez’s single. It was the only run for the AL Central-leading Indians off Snell, who gave up four hits and two walks in 6⅓ innings.

Snell (0-6, 4.69 ERA) made his 15th start, the most of any winless pitcher in the majors this season.

Logan Morrison drove in Tampa Bay’s first run with a single in the fifth.

BLUE JAYS 4, YANKEES 0

In Toronto, Marco Estrada and two relievers combined on a sixhitter, Jose Bautista hit a solo home run and the Blue Jays beat New York.

Making his second start for the Yankees, Sonny Gray (6-7) allowed three runs, two of them earned, in six innings. He walked four and struck out six.

NATIONALS 3, MARLINS 2

In Washington, Brian Goodwin had two hits, including a home run leading off the eighth inning, and the Nationals rallied past Miami.

Giancarlo Stanton hit his major league-leading 39th home run of the season for the Marlins.

METS 10, PHILLIES 0

In Philadelphia. Jacob deGrom pitched brilliantly until leaving in the seventh inning due to a contusion on his right triceps after being hit on a line drive by Nick Williams, and New York homered four times in a rout of the Phillies.

PIRATES 7, TIGERS 5

In Detroit, rookie Josh Bell hit his 20th home run and drove in three runs, leading Pittsburgh past the Tigers.

REDS 10, PADRES 3

In Cincinnati, Scooter Gennett hit a grand slam in the seventh inning, ending left-hander Brad Hand’s long scoreless streak and rallying Cincinnati over San Diego.

CARDINALS 8, ROYALS 6

In St. Louis, Dexter Fowler hit a grand slam and drove in a careerhigh five runs to lead the Cardinals over Kansas City.

TWINS 7, BREWERS 2

In Milwaukee, Byron Buxton and Joe Mauer each had three singles and Minnesota beat the Brewers for the fourth consecutive game.