Marlins’ Nolasco handcuffs Braves

ATLANTA — Ricky Nolasco tossed seven strong innings amid persistent trade rumors, Justin Ruggiano hit a three-run homer and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Wednesday night.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond said before the game that Nolasco has not been affected by trade speculation and the righthander supported that claim by giving up only two runs on six hits.

Nolasco (5-8) had no walks with seven strikeouts, giving him 1,001 for his career.

The Braves led 2-0 before Ruggiano’s homer off Mike Minor (8- 4) in the fifth.

There was steady rain but no delay in the game.

The Marlins got their first win in five games against the Braves this season and ended an eightgame losing streak in the NL East rivalry, dating to Sept. 19, 2012. Nolasco improve to 6-10 in his career against Atlanta. He holds the Marlins’ franchise record with 81 career wins.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers 4, Nationals 1 at Washington: Kyle Lohse tossed eight sharp innings on short rest and Milwaukee beat Washington, shutting down Bryce Harper and Co. for the second night in a row.

Lohse (4-6) allowed one run and four hits, and had a season-high seven strikeouts against the eagerswinging Nationals,

Lohse pitched on two days’ rest after his last start, Sunday at Pittsburgh, was cut short at 1 2/3 innings because of a 2-hour, 20-minute rain delay.

Pirates 6, Phillies 5 at Pittsburgh: Jeff Locke ran his personal winning streak to eight games, Pedro Alvarez hit a threerun homer and Pittsburgh hung on to beat Philadelphia.

Locke (8-1) was scored upon for the first time in four home starts but extended his unbeaten streak to 16 outings.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Orioles 4, White Sox 2 at Chicago: Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 32nd homer and added a tiebreaking two-run double to lead Baltimore over Chicago.

Scott Feldman pitched six solid innings in his debut for the Orioles, who held on to win for the fifth time in six games after the White Sox threatened against Jim Johnson in the ninth.

Tigers 6, Blue Jays 2 at Toronto: Max Scherzer worked into the seventh inning to become the first pitcher in 27 years to get off to a 13- 0 start, leading Detroit over Toronto.

Scherzer (13- 0) is the first pitcher to begin the season with 13 wins and no losses since Roger Clemens was 14- 0 for the Boston Red Sox in 1986.

Astros 4, Rays 1 at Houston: Chris Carter homered twice, including a goahead three-run shot in the seventh, to back seven strong innings from Bud Norris and give Houston a win over Tampa Bay.

The victory breaks a f ive- game skid for the Astros, who had been shut out in their last two games.

Yankees 3, Twins 2 at Minneapolis: CC Sabathia won his 200th career game to stretch his winning streak over Minnesota to nearly six years, and Robinson Cano hit a tying two-run double to spark New York in a 3-2 victory over Minnesota.

Mari a no R i ve r a notched his 28th save in 29 tries with a scoreless ninth. Sabathia is 11- 0 with a 2.01 ERA in his last 12 starts against the Twins with a 2.01 ERA.

INTERLEAGUE

Red Sox 2, Padres 1 at Boston: Pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes homered leading off the ninth inning to lift Boston over suddenly offensively challenged San Diego.

Mike Carp had two hits and scored a run for Boston, which is 7-1 on its nine-game homestand that concludes Thursday against the Padres.