AROUND THE HORN
Twins: Devin Smeltzer pitched two-hit ball into the seventh for his first major league win, and the Twins beat the visiting Royals 3-0 to finish off a three-game sweep. Jason Castro homered and Eddie Rosario drove in two runs for the AL Central leaders. Smeltzer (1-1) struck out four and walked one in his third career start. Sergio Romo pitched a scoreless eighth, and Taylor Rogers finished the two-hitter for his 17th save in 23 chances.
Astros: Justin Verlander struck out 10 as the host Astros beat the Mariners 3-1 for a three-game sweep. A day after Astros newcomer Aaron Sanchez and three relievers combined on a no-hitter, Verlander (15-4) took over the major league wins lead and left with an AL-best 2.68 ERA. Verlander didn’t give up a hit until Kyle Seager singled with two outs in the fourth. The Astros ace took a two-hit shutout into the seventh and exited after Seager led off with a HR.
Rays: Yonny Chirinos allowed one run in five innings before leaving with a hand injury and the Rays beat the visiting Marlins 7-2 to match their longest winning streak this season at six games. Chirinos (9-5) gave up two hits but was pulled after 63 pitches due to right middle finger inflammation. Mike Brosseau and Jesus Aguilar both homered and had two RBIs each in the victory.
A’s: Tanner Roark pitched five innings to get the win in his A’s debut as the hosts beat the Cardinals 4-2. Jurickson Profar connected for his 15th HR to lift the A’s to their sixth victory in seven games. Dustin Garneau had two hits and two RBIs after he was claimed off waivers Saturday. Roark (7-7) allowed one run and four hits, struck out six and walked two. The veteran right-hander was acquired in a trade with the Reds on Wednesday.
Cubs: Jason Heyward drove in three runs, Yu Darvish pitched five effective innings and the Cubs finished a three-game sweep with a 7-2 win over the Brewers. Heyward and Kyle Schwarber homered as the NL Central leaders won for the 11th time in their last 13 games at Wrigley Field. Christian Yelich hit his major league-best 37th HR for the Brewers, who have dropped four straight. Darvish (4-5) allowed one run and five hits, struck out eight and walked none. He retired 10 straight at one point . ... The Cubs placed All-Star C Willson Contreras on the IL with a strained right hamstring.
Extra innings: Ketel Marte hit an inside-thepark HR, Adam Jones drove in four runs and the Diamondbacks beat the visiting Nationals 7-5 . ... Yankees CF Aaron Hicks was placed on the 10-day IL with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Hicks won’t throw for a week to 10 days, but the club is optimistic he’ll return this season — although it was too soon to project a timeframe . ... Angels RHP Felix Pena will miss the rest of the season with a torn right ACL . ... Eight-time All-Star 2B Robinson Cano left the Mets’ 13-2 rout of the host Pirates with a strained left hamstring. He will undergo an MRI on Monday. The Mets won for the ninth time in 10 games.