Pujols homers twice in Cards’ sweep

PITTSBURGH » Albert Pujols hit two home runs, then caught the warmup tosses when star catcher Yadier Molina made his first pitching appearance to close out the St. Louis Cardinals’ romp over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Molina gave up a pair of homers and four runs while working the ninth inning, eventually completing the Cardinals’ three-game sweep.

MARLINS 4, BRAVES 3 MIAMI »

Sandy Alcantara pitched a six-hitter and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves. The 26-year-old-Alcantara limited the Braves to three unearned runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out seven for his fourth career complete game.

TIGERS 4, GUARDIANS 2 CLEVELAND » Rookie Alex Faedo allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings for his first major league win and Miguel Cabrera had an RBI double as the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Guardians. RED SOX 8, MARINERS 4 BOSTON » Franchy Cordero hit a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the surging Boston Red Sox to a victory over the Seattle Mariners.

ASTROS 5, RANGERS 2 HOUSTON » Jose Altuve hit a leadoff home run and double, José Urquidy tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers. CUBS 5, D’BACKS 4

CHICAGO » Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel hit consecutive homers against Ian Kennedy in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks to avoid a fourgame series sweep. NATIONALS 8, BREWERS 2 MILWAUKEE » Lane Thomas hit two RBI doubles and the Washington Nationals broke out of their hitting slump in a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, who lost Freddy Peralta to shoulder tightness in the fourth inning.

REDS 3, BLUE JAYS 2 TORONTO »

Joey Votto hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the Cincinnati Reds held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, avoiding a three-game sweep.