ASTROS CLINCH DIVISION FOR FIRST TITLE SINCE ’01
HOUSTON» Justin Verlander struck out 10 in seven innings, Derek Fisher and Marwin Gonzalez homered to put Houston on top in a big fifth inning, and the Astros clinched the American League West with a 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.
George Springer and Carlos Correa also homered for the Astros, who won their first division title since 2001 and seventh overall. The Astros become the first team in major-league history to win titles in three divisions after previously winning the NL West and NL Central.
Houston’s Yuli Gurriel singled and homered off Andrew Moore (1-4).
SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Pablo Sandoval homered and drove in three runs, rookie Chris Stratton pitched six strong innings and the Giants beat the Diamondbacks 7-2. Stratton also had the first of three singles leading off San Francisco’s three-run fifth. He scored when Austin Slater drew a four-pitch walk off starter Taijuan Walker (9-8). … Corey Kluber pushed to the front of the Cy Young race with another dominant start and Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run homer as the Indians celebrated a division title and edged the Royals 3-2. Kluber (17-4), who has lost once since July 4, allowed three singles in seven innings and has not given up a run in 22 straight innings. … Matthew Boyd’s no-hit bid ended when Tim Anderson doubled with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Tigers’ left-hander closed out a 12-0 win over the White Sox. … Travis Shaw, Jesus Aguilar and Manny Pina each had two hits in Milwaukee’s eight-run fourth inning, lifting the Brewers to a 10-3 victory over the Marlins. With two outs in the fourth and Milwaukee leading 1-0, Miami starter Dillon Peters (0-2) walked Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff (2-2) on five pitches to load the bases. The next six hitters reached base and the Brewers opened an 8-0 lead. … Eddie Rosario homered twice, Joe Mauer hit a grand slam and the Twins overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Blue Jays 13-7 and maintain control for the second AL wild card. … Ubaldo Jimenez struck out 10 in five innings, Tim Beckham hit a three-run homer and the Orioles beat the Yankees 6-4. Jimenez gave up three hits and one run — Gregorius’ 24th homer tied the Yankees’ record for a shortstop set by Derek Jeter in 1999. … David Price returned from a nearly twomonth layoff by pitching two hitless innings for the Red Sox in a 3-2 loss to the Rays. Jake Odorizzi (9-8) gave up one hit in six innings and the Rays salvaged the finale of a three-game series. … Eugenio Suarez and Scooter Gennett hit two-run home runs in the sixth inning to back Robert Stephenson’s impressive pitching, and the Reds completed their second threegame sweep of the Pirates this season with a 5-2 win. … Joey Wendle hit a goahead grand slam in the sixth inning to lift the Athletics to a 6-3 win over the Phillies. … Robert Gsellman didn’t allow an earned run over seven innings, pinch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera had a two-run, pinch-hit homer and the Mets beat the Braves 5-1. … Jason Heyward hit a tiebreaking RBI single with two out in the seventh, and the Cubs swept the Cardinals with a 4-3 victory. … Joey Gallo hit a monster home run and Miguel Gonzalez pitched well to lead the Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the Angels. … Ryan Zimmerman hit two home runs and the Nationals beat the Dodgers 7-1 to avoid a sweep. Dusty Baker reaches 90 wins for the 10th time in his career. — The Associated Press