Reds get another slam from pitchers
Lorenzen clears the bases a week after Desclafani did it
Reliever Michael Lorenzen hit the second grand slam by a Reds pitcher in a week, and Cincinnati pulled away to a 12-3 victory Saturday that ended its seven-game losing streak against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Lorenzen’s pinch-hit grand slam off Jacob Barnes in the seventh inning completed an eight-run rally — Cincinnati’s biggest of the season. Lorenzen’s fifth career homer drew a curtain call from the crowd of 24,640.
The reliever has homered in his past three at-bats. He also connected Friday during Milwaukee’s 8-2 win.
Reds starter Anthony Desclafani homered against the Cubs last week. cubs 14, twins 9: Minnesota’s Eddie Rosario, Bobby Wilson and Max Kepler all left early because of heat illness on a scorching afternoon at Wrigley Field, and Chicago beat the Twins. Rosario homered in the top of the fifth inning, then was pulled from left field shortly after fielding a hit by Anthony Rizzo in the bottom half. The Cubs said it was 96 degrees at the time with a heat index of 107 — that’s a calculation of how hot it actually feels, with the humidity factored in.
Phillies 3, nationals 2: Hit on his pitching arm by a line drive, Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez made a dazzling throw with his left hand, and Philadelphia overcame an injury to its starting pitcher to beat Washington. Velasquez then dropped to the ground, writhing in pain and clutching his right arm. He was pulled from the game with a bruise, having allowed one run and three hits. Victor Arano (1-0) followed Velasquez with two scoreless innings of relief. Odubel Herrera homered and Jorge Alfaro and Aaron Altherr had RBI doubles as the Phillies bounced back from a 17-7 loss.
angels 6, Orioles 2: Albert Pujols’ RBI double highlighted a five-run eighth inning and Los Angeles beat the Orioles, extending Baltimore’s latest losing streak to seven games. Playing their 3,000th game under manager Mike Scioscia, the Angels trailed 2-1 before using three hits, three walks and a hit batter to take control against the Orioles.
athletics 7, indians 2: Journeyman Edwin Jackson earned his first win with Oakland, pitching neatly into the seventh inning as the Athletics beat Cleveland for their season-high sixth straight victory. Matt Olson, Dustin Fowler and Josh Phegley homered to help the A’s win for the 12th time in 14 games.
Blue Jays 4, tigers 3: Justin Smoak led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a home run and Toronto beat Detroit, handing the Tigers their 11th straight loss.
rays 5, astros 2: Wilson Ramos drove in four runs in the first two innings against Justin Verlander, and Tampa Bay went on to defeat Houston.
rockies 3, Dodgers 1: German Marquez (6-8) pitched two-hit ball over eight innings and Ian Desmond homered as Colorado beat Los Angeles.
Braves 11, cardinals 4: Nick Markakis hit a grand slam, Max Fried took a shutout into the seventh inning and Atlanta won.
notes: The Rockies have sent opening-day starter Jon Gray down to the minors, optioning the right-hander to Triple-a Albuquerque. Gray was 7-7 with a 5.77 ERA over 17 starts this season, but has particularly struggled since May 13 while posting a 7.25 ERA in his last nine outings . ... The Indians say pitcher Danny Salazar will have exploratory surgery on his troublesome right shoulder and there is no timetable for his return.