AROUND THE HORN
Red Sox:
Franchy Cordero hit a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the surging Red Sox to an 8-4 win over the visiting Mariners, Trevor Story continued his recent power surge with his fifth HR over the Green Monster in four days and Christian Arroyo added a solo shot for the Red Sox, who posted their season-high fifth straight victory and completed a four-game sweep.
Cardinals: Albert Pujols hit two HRs, then caught the warmup tosses when C Yadier Molina made his first pitching appearance to close out the Cardinals’ 18-4 romp over the host Pirates. Molina gave up a pair of HRs and four runs while working the ninth, eventually completing the Cards’ three-game sweep. But it wasn’t all fun and games for the Cards. Starter Steven Matz lasted only four pitches before being pulled with stiffness in his left shoulder. After Matz exited, Angel Rondón (1-0) allowed just one hit in five innings for his first career victory in the majors, striking out four and walking three.
Mets: Francisco Lindor broke a scoreless tie with a single in the sixth, Taijuan Walker and three relievers combined on a six-hitter and the Mets extended their streak of rebounding from losses by beating the Rockies 2-0. The Mets dropped the second game of a doubleheader Saturday, which led to them win their franchise-best 14th straight game following a loss. By taking two of three, the NL East-leading Mets also captured their 11th series win this season. This marked the first time the Rockies have been shut out at Coors Field since Aug. 31, 2020, against the Padres. Walker (2-0) was in complete command over seven stellar innings, scattering five hits and striking out six.
Extra innings: Sandy Alcantara pitched a six-hitter and the Marlins beat the visiting Braves 4-3. The 26-year-old-Alcantara (4-2) limited the Braves to three unearned runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out seven for his fourth career complete game. Braves OF Ronald Acuña Jr. had two of the hits against Alcantara, extending his on base games streak to 29. Brian Anderson and Stallings doubled, singled and had RBIs each for the Marlins, who avoided the three-game sweep . ... Lane Thomas hit two RBI doubles and the Nationals claimed an 8-2 road victory over the Brewers, who lost Freddy Peralta to shoulder tightness in the fourth. Peralta (3-2) left after allowing a run-scoring double to Thomas during the Nats’ six-run outburst in the fourth. That marked the Nationals’ highest-scoring inning of the season . ... Gio Urshela hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth to complete the Twins’ comeback from a six-run deficit, lifting the visitors over the Royals 7-6. Down 6-0, the Twins scored five times in the eighth, capped by Kyle Garlick’s two-run HR. ... Manny Machado set a career-high and matched a franchise record with four extra-base hits, and the Padres completed a threegame sweep of the host Giants with a 10-1 victory. Machado’s big afternoon included three doubles, a triple and two RBIs. The five-time All-Star was also intentionally walked. The Padres won their fourth straight and sixth of seven to pull within one-half game of the NL West-leading Dodgers.