Frazier grounds into triple play, but Yankees still find a victory
NEW YORK — Todd Frazier had an unforgettable first at-bat in his home debut at Yankee Stadium, grounding into a rare run-scoring triple play as New York beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 Tuesday night.
Rookie Jordan Montgomery took a no-hit try into the sixth inning, and Didi Gregorius homered to boost the AL East contenders, his third in two games.
Last-place Cincinnati lost for the 10th time in 12 games. Billy Hamilton’s bid for a tying extra-base hit in the eighth was thwarted when pinch-runner Zack Cozart, out of the starting lineup to rest his tender quadriceps, hobbled into third.
Back in the Bronx for the first time since the All-Star break, the Yankees brought along Frazier and relievers David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, all acquired last week in a trade with the Chicago White Sox.
Frazier made the two-hour drive from his hometown of Toms River near the Jersey shore earlier in the day and hoped to do something special for all his family members and friends who came to watch.
He definitely did.
The bases were loaded with no outs when Frazier batted in the second inning. He hit a hard grounder up the middle and shortstop Jose Peraza gloved it, stepped on second and threw to first.
Gregorius, who had been on second base, held up when the ball was hit, in case it was caught. He was late to advance, and first baseman Joey Votto’s throw across the diamond caught him in a rundown. Gregorius was called out for running wide of baseline trying to avoid a tag.
At least there was some consolation for Frazier — a run scored, rarely seen on a triple play, because Matt Holliday scampered home before Gregorius was trapped.
It was the Reds’ first triple play since 1995. New York manager Joe Girardi could only hang his head on the dugout railing after the Yankees hit into their first triple play since 2011.
It was the first time a team scored on a triple play since Seattle against Minnesota in 2006.
Astros 5, Phillies 0
PHILADELPHIA — Derek Fisher drove in two runs just hours after arriving in Philadelphia and Charlie Morton pitched seven innings to lead the Houston Astros to a victory over the Phillies.
Jose Altuve extended his hitting streak to 17 straight games with a sixth-inning double to help the AL West-leading Astros improve to an American League-best 67-33. Houston is 9-0 in interleague play.
Houston suffered an injury for the second straight day, as Alex Bregman left with discomfort in his right hamstring after tripling and scoring in the third. On Monday, outfielder George Springer departed with a left quadriceps injury that resulted in Fisher’s call-up.
Philadelphia had four hits — all doubles — while dropping its major-league worst record to 34-64.
Blue Jays 4, Athletics 1
TORONTO — Cesar Valdez pitched a career-high six innings to win for the first time since his big league debut more than seven years ago, Ryan Goins had two RBIs, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Oakland Athletics.
Making his first start with Toronto and just the fourth of his career, Valdez (1-0) allowed one run and five hits, walked one and struck out four. He left to a standing ovation from the crowd of 40,624 after giving up a leadoff double to Khris Davis in the seventh.
Valdez was pitching for Arizona the only other time he won in the big leagues, pitching five innings to beat Houston in his major league debut on May 3, 2010. Following that season, Valdez did not pitch in the majors again before making four appearances with Oakland earlier this season.
Royals 3, Tigers 1
DETROIT — Whit Merrifield homered on the first pitch of the game and the Kansas City Royals led the rest of the way, beating the Detroit Tigers for their seventh consecutive victory.
Rays 5, Orioles 4
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tim Beckham’s three-run homer capped a five-run inning for Tampa Bay and rookie Jake Faria pitched into the eighth inning to help the Rays snap a five-game losing streak with a win over the Baltimore Orioles.
Brewers 8, Nationals 0
WASHINGTON — Travis Shaw, Eric Thames and Manny Pina homered, Zach Davies tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Washington Nationals.