McCann, McCullers lead Astros past Yankees
Brian McCann hit a three-run homer against his former team and Lance McCullers Jr. pitched four-hit ball over six shutout innings to lead the Houston Astros past the New York Yankees 5-1 on Friday night for their fifth straight victory.
Carlos Correa added a pop-fly RBI single for the Astros, who boosted the top record in the majors to 25-11. Off to the best start in team history, Houston has won 10 of 12 and matched its longest winning streak of the season.
Suddenly slumping at the plate, the Yankees barely avoided being shut out for the first time this year when Didi Gregorius hit an RBI single off James Hoyt with two outs in the ninth. New York (21-12) has dropped three in a row for the first time since the opening week of the season.Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman gave up Josh Reddick’s two-out RBI single in the ninth and was checked by a trainer on the mound moments later. Chapman initially remained in the game, then was removed after allowing another single.
Rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery (2-2) gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings, the first time he has permitted more than three runs in six major league starts.
The 23-year-old McCullers (3-1) struck out seven and walked none in his first start at Yankee Stadium. He has not given up an earned run in either of his last two outings.
The right-hander’s father, Lance, pitched for the Yankees from 1989-90.
Flashing a 95-96 mph fastball and sharp breaking pitches, McCullers worked around Aaron Judge’s leadoff double in the fifth — New York’s first extra-base hit in 19 innings since Tuesday at Cincinnati — by striking out the next three hitters. Correa and Marwin Gonzalez singled in the fourth before McCann drove Montgomery’s changeup into the second deck in right field, just inside the foul pole.
Joe Biagini and four relievers combined on a seven-hitter, Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners.
Tyler Flowers homered and drove in four runs to help the Atlanta Braves end a six-game losing streak by beating the Miami Marlins.
Alex Cobb took a one-hit shutout into the seventh inning before tiring, Evan Longoria hit a homer over the Green Monster completely out of Fenway Park and the Tampa Bay Rays held off the Boston Red Sox.
Eric Hosmer delivered another key hit, doubling home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and lifting the Kansas City Royals over the Baltimore Orioles. Austin Hedges homered and drove in three runs with two out, and the San Diego Padres handed the Chicago White Sox their sixth straight loss. Joey Gallo hit a gameending three-run homer and the Texas Rangers won with a four-run ninth inning for the second night in a row, this time beating the Oakland Athletics.