The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Yanks win first series in 6 weeks
The New York Yankees won a series for the first time in six weeks when Aroldis Chapman struck out Ben Gamel with a runner on to preserve a 6-4 victory over host Seattle on Sunday, their third win in four games against the Mariners this weekend.
The Yankees had been 0-8-2 in series since sweeping Baltimore on June 9-11. New York had lost 13 straight games with a chance to win a series.
After Seattle overcame a 3-0 deficit with a four-run fourth inning against Caleb Smith, Brett Gardner hit a tying, bases-loaded single in the sixth and Clint Frazier followed with a two-run double off former Yankee James Pazos (2-3).
Didi Gregorius had his first career multihomer game with solo shots in the second and fourth innings for New York, both on 0-1 pitches from Yovani Gallardo. Gregorius has 14 home runs.
Gardner opened the game with his 17th home run.
A converted starter pitching on consecutive days for the first time in big league career, Chad Green (1-0) struck out three in 2 1/3 perfect innings. Dellin Betances and David Robertson each threw a hitless inning, and Chapman had another shaky finish for his 11th save. ANGELS 3, RED SOX 2 » At Ana-
heim, California, Luis Valbuena hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the seventh inning, Mike Trout and Andrelton Simmons also homered and Los Angeles beat Boston.
Valbuena hit his ninth shot of the season into short right field to leadoff the inning, rounding out a trio of solo homers for the Angels.
Parker Bridwell (4-1) gave up two earned runs on five hits in seven innings. Bud Norris earned his 15th save while only giving up a single to Hanley Ramirez to start the ninth. Xander Bogaerts hit into a double play to end the game.
Rick Porcello (4-13) allowed three earned runs on five hits in eight innings, his 18th consecutive start where he threw at least 6 innings. He struck out six and walked one. ATHLETICS 3, METS 2 » At New York, Rookie Matt Chapman quickly atoned for a baserunning blunder by hitting a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning that sent Oakland over New York, ending the Mets four-game winning streak.
With the July 31 trade deadline nearing and far back in the NL wild-card race, the Mets now start a 10-game trip, and there’s no telling whether veterans such as Jay Bruce and Lucas Duda will remain on the team when it returns to Citi Field.