Beaten Cardinals sack manager Matheny

ST LOUIS: The visiting Cincinnati Reds defeated St Louis 8-2 in a rain-soaked affair on Saturday, prompting the firing of Cardinals manager Mike Matheny after 6½ seasons at the helm of the club.

St Louis (47-46) announced the decision after the loss. Bench coach Mike Shildt will serve as the team’s interim manager, and hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller were also dismissed.

Cincinnati second baseman Scooter Gennett had two hits and two RBIs and Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run single to cap a go-ahead four-run seventh inning in the Reds’ win. Jose Peraza had five singles, his first career five-hit game.

The game was twice delayed by rain for a total of 2 hours, 43 minutes.

Xander Bogaerts delivered a walk-off grand slam to centre field as Boston got back in the win column with a 6-2 victory over visiting Toronto.

Mookie Betts reached on a fielding error with one out in the 10th against Blue Jays reliever Chris Rowley (0-1). Betts advanced to third after getting a running start from first on Brock Holt’s grounder to left field. After JD Martinez was intentionally walked, Bogaerts proceeded to drive a 2-0 fastball from Rowley to centre to end it.

It was Boston’s first walk-off grand slam since Rico Brogna’s slam on Aug 14, 2000, against the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Martinez contributed a solo shot for his majorleague-leading 29th home run.

Alex Bregman reached base three times while Josh Reddick and Evan Gattis recorded back-to-back home runs as Houston pounded visiting Detroit 9-1.

The Astros struck early and often against Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer (3-9), whose struggles continued unabated. Fulmer surrendered season highs in hits (10) and earned runs (seven) in extending his personal losing skid to four decisions over five starts. Fulmer has recorded only one victory over his last nine outings.

Gerrit Cole (10-2) allowed one run on three hits and four walks and posted eight strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, joining fellow Astros starters Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers Jr with double-digit victories.

Zack Grienke pitched 7 2/3 shut-out innings and won his fifth straight decision as Arizona shut out hosts Atlanta 3-0.

Grienke (10-5) allowed just four hits, no walks and struck out seven in winning his fifth straight road start. Over his last six starts, Grienke has a 1.67 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 38 innings.