Pirates finally solve the Reds
Pittsburgh had lost eight straight to Cincinnati
Troy Stokes Jr. drove in runs with each of his first two major league hits, JT Brubaker pitched six strong innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates finally beat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-2, on Tuesday night.
Two days after making his debut, Stokes hit an RBI single in the fourth inning. The right fielder also doubled in a run in the eighth.
Brubaker (3-2) allowed one run on five hits to win for the first time in four starts. He had four strikeouts and one walk.
The Pirates had lost eight straight games to the Reds, including all four this season by a combined score of 44-9. Pittsburgh has won three of its past 12 overall.
Astros 5, Angels 1: Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance Mccullers Jr., and then Houston broke loose against the Angels’ bullpen to beat Los Angeles. Ohtani allowed one run and four hits with one walk in seven innings, solving his control troubles.
Indians 3, Cubs 2: Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run homer, sending Cleveland to a win over Chicago. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out.
Blue Jays 5, Braves 3:
Vladimir Guerrero homered and drove in three runs and Toronto took advantage of Atlanta’s indecisive fielding in the eighth inning. Guerrero had three hits, including a tying single in a three-run eighth. Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his major league-leading 11th homer for Atlanta.
Giants 4, Rangers 2: Logan Webb tied a career high with 10 strikeouts in six innings and San Francisco beat Texas, keeping the Rangers winless in interleague play this season.
Tigers 8, Royals 7: Robbie Grossman singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth and Detroit, after squandering a seven-run lead late, recovered to beat skidding Kansas City.
Phillies 6, Nationals 2: Bryce Harper treated heckling fans to a long home run, Andrew Knapp delivered a key pinch-hit in place of injured catcher J.T. Realmuto and Philadelphia won.