Yanks top Red Sox, deny division clincher
NEW YORK — Neil Walker hit a threerun homer, Zach Britton started a gameending double play on New York’s third try in the ninth inning and the Yankees kept the Boston Red Sox from a bubbly celebration in the Bronx for at least another night with a 3-2 victory Tuesday.
Batting from the left side, Walker golfed a no-doubter in the seventh inning off Ryan Brasier for the Yankees’ third hit of the game and a 3-1 lead. Walker dropped his bat, admired the shot for a moment and then pointed into the Yankees dugout as he jogged to first base.
Aaron Judge returned to New York’s lineup for the first time since breaking his right wrist July 26, while AL MVP candidate Mookie Betts got a day off for Boston after injuring his left side Sunday. Judge hit a pop fly to the warning track but finished 0 for 4.
New York entered the night with a 1½-game lead over Oakland for the top AL wild card. The A’s hosted the Angels later.
Boston is trying to clinch the AL East at Yankee Stadium for the second time in three years. The Red Sox lead the Yankees by 10½ games and entered the night with a magic number of four over the Astros to lock up baseball’s best record.
The game started about six hours after it was supposed to begin. Originally scheduled for 1:05 p.m., it was pushed back earlier in the morning because heavy rain was in the forecast.
Britton had two on in the ninth after Brock Holt walked and Christian Vazquez reached when second baseman Gleyber Torres was unable to handle a wide feed from third on the first potential game-ending double play. Britton then scooped a short grounder by Sam Travis and threw it into center field with runners at first and third, allowing Holt to score. Ian Kinsler followed with an almost identical ball back to Britton, and the lefthander hit the target this time for the final two outs.
ASTROS 7, MARINERS 0
In Houston, Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in a four-run third inning that helped Houston eliminate Seattle from contention for the AL West title.
Houston entered the day four games ahead of Oakland atop the division standings. The Athletics played later against the Angels.
Rookie starter Josh James (1-0) struck out seven and scattered four hits over 5⅓ innings for his first major league win. Four relievers completed the shutout.
Seattle starter Mike Leake (10-10) yielded six hits and five runs in 6⅓ innings to snap a twogame winning streak.
REDS 3, BREWERS 1
In Milwaukee, Jose Peraza capitalized on Chase Anderson’s home run troubles with a drive in the first inning and Cincinnati dealt Milwaukee its third loss in four games.
The Brewers’ edge for the top NL wild-card spot was cut to two games by St. Louis, with Colorado also in close contention.
Milwaukee managed only three hits against five Cincinnati pitchers. It was the third lowscoring loss for the Brewers in four games — they fell to Pittsburgh 3-1 on Saturday and 3-2 on Sunday.
Michael Lorenzen, making his first start since 2015 after 151 relief appearances, allowed one unearned run on one hit in four innings. Sal Romano (8-11) followed with 2⅓ scoreless innings for the victory.
Raisel Iglesias struck out three in the ninth after a leadoff walk for his 28th save.
Anderson (9-8) gave up three runs on six hits with two walks in 3⅔ innings, matching his shortest start of the season. Six relievers blanked the Reds the rest of the way.
CARDINALS 8, BRAVES 1
In Atlanta, Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer, Yadier Molina added a two-run single in a fourrun eighth inning and St. Louis won ITS third straight game.
Austin Gomber pitched five effective innings for St. Louis, which holds a slim lead for the second NL wild card. The Cardinals top the National League with 36 victories since All-Star break, and their 43 road wins this season rank second.
Atlanta’s division lead dropped to 5½ games over Philadelphia as the Braves lost their fourth in a row after a season-best six-game winning streak. They are 38-38 at Sun Trust Park and have dropped 14 of 18 at home.
The Braves’ magic number remained at seven as they try to clinch a division title for the first time in five years. Philadelphia beat the New York Mets 5-2.
Anibal Sanchez (6-6) allowed four hits and two runs and struck out six in five innings.
Gomber (6-1) gave up six hits, one run and three walks while striking out five for his fifth victory in his last six decisions.