Trumbo hits O’s to victory
BALTIMORE: Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo hit his major league-leading 38th home run of the season to help the Orioles edge local rival Washington 4-3 on Monday, keeping them right in the intense fight for top spot in the American League East.
The Orioles closed within two games of the AL East lead while Cleveland stretched their lead in the Central out to 7½ games by shutting out Oakland.
The Chicago Cubs built their already impressive lead in the National League Central by winning at San Diego, while an interleague game between wildcard contenders saw Houston defeat Pittsburgh.
Baltimore came into its game against near neighbour Washington with five losses from six games but arrested that slide thanks to the long shots by Trumbo and Jonathan Schoop.
Both those homer came off Washington’s AJ Cole who was called up from the minors for his season debut in place of injured ace Stephen Strasburg.
Cleveland’s Carlos Carrasco pitched eight scoreless innings to guide the Indians to a 1-0 win at Oakland.
Carrasco was masterful, striking out nine, retiring the side in order five times and allowing only one runner to reach second base.
Andrew Miller struck out the side in the ninth to preserve the victory.
Chicago’s Jon Lester was in command as he steered the Cubs to a 5-1 victory at San Diego.
Lester limited the Padres to one run in six innings, striking out eight to make it 10 wins from his past 11 decisions.
Chicago’s Kris Bryant hit his 32nd homer of the year — tied for the NL lead — while Addison Russell and Jason Heyward also cleared the fences.
Houston’s Doug Fister pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Astros past Pittsburgh 3-1.
Fister struck out six, walked one and retired 11 of the first 12 batters.
Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning.
Seattle’s Mike Zunino and Kyle Seager each hit a three-run homer and Nelson Cruz added a solo shot as the Mariners rallied to beat the New York Yankees 7-5.
Boston’s David Price held his old team scoreless for eight innings, leading the Red Sox past Tampa Bay 6-2 to draw level with Toronto for the AL East lead.
Los Angeles’ Adrian Gonzalez hit three of the Dodgers’ seven homers — driving in a career-high eight runs — and rookie Corey Seager also went long in an 18-9 win against Cincinnati.
Milwaukee’s Jimmy Nelson won for the first time in seven starts as the Brewers defeated Colorado 4-2.
Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo homer in the ninth inning to lift the Diamondbacks over Atlanta 9-8.