Displaced Astros finish time in Florida by beating Rangers

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After a difficult three-game “home” series in front of sparse crowds 1,000 miles from their ballpark, the Houston Astros are heading back to their floodravaged city. And they’re putting their inconvenience in perspective.

Jose Altuve homered, the Houston bullpen pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings and the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 5-1 on Thursday in the last game before they return to Houston.

Josh Reddick added an RBI single for the AL West-leading Astros, who avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of their instate rivals at Tropicana Field, where the series was relocated because of Hurricane Harvey.

Diamondbacks 8, Dodgers 1

PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Dodgers have been swept in a series for the first time this season and former teammate Zack Greinke was a big reason why.

That and a parade of Arizona hits against another suddenly struggling Dodgers starter.

Greinke earned his major league-best 16th victory with six strong innings and the Diamondbacks wrapped up the three-game sweep with a dominant victory.

Chris Iannetta and A.J. Pollock homered for the Diamondbacks, who matched their seasonbest seventh straight victory and pulled 3 1/2 games ahead of idle Colorado for the National League’s top wild card spot.

The Dodgers, still with by far the best record in the majors (91-40), have lost a season-worst five in a row.

Twins 5, White Sox 4

MINNEAPOLIS — Max Kepler took one for the team — and wound up with a hop-off winner for the Minnesota Twins.

Kepler was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Twins rallied to beat the Chicago White Sox for their fourth straight victory.

Reds 7, Mets 2

CINCINNATI — The Reds ended New York’s domination in Cincinnati with an emphatic win and a feel-good moment — Joey Votto giving a bat and a jersey to a young cancer patient.