Freeman’s bat sparks Braves
Freddie Freeman homered, doubled and tied a career high with five RBI, powering the Braves past the New York Mets, 13-5, yesterday in Atlanta.
Freeman put the Braves ahead with a two-run double off former Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka in the first inning. Freeman made it 6-1 with a three-run homer a dozen rows deep into the right-field seats in the second.
Jordan Schafer had four hits and stole three bases for Atlanta before leaving with a lower back strain.
Matsuzaka (0-3) lasted three innings and allowed six runs on seven hits. He has a 10.95 ERA in three starts since signing with the Mets. The 32-year-old is 0-7 in his last eight starts since Sept. 2, 2012, with the Red Sox
Dodgers 10, Rockies 8 — In Denver, Clayton Kershaw surrendered a career-high 11 hits in five shaky innings yet got the win as Yasiel Puig scored the go-ahead run before leaving with a strained right knee as surging Los Angeles beat Colorado.
Marlins 4, Cubs 3— Henderson Alvarez hit his first career home run and pitched six innings before exiting with a hamstring injury, and Miami beat host Chicago.
Reds 7, Cardinals 2 — Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Votto homered as Cincinnati roughed up Adam Wainwright for the second start in a row, helping Mat Latos to a victory over visiting St. Louis in the opener of a four-game series between the NL Central rivals.
Pirates 5, Brewers 2 — Neil Walker hit a three-run homer, Charlie Morton pitched seven strong innings and Pittsburgh beat host Milwaukee to retake the NL Central lead. Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 12 chances.
Padres 4, Giants 1 — Ian Kennedy beat an NL West opponent for the first time in 12 starts this season, pitching San Diego past visiting San Francisco.
Phillies 3, Nationals 2 — Carlos Ruiz hit a tiebreaking RBI single in host Philadelphia’s two-run eighth inning to key a win over Washington.
American League
Angels 11, Rays 2 — Garrett Richards worked around a career-high seven walks in five innings and Erick Aybar drove in four runs, helping host Los Angeles beat Tampa Bay, which has lost five straight and remains 5A games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.
Yankees 9, White Sox 1 — Derek Jeter ended a slump with two hits and two RBI, Alex Rodriguez reached base twice in an eight-run fourth inning and host New York battered Chicago in a game interrupted nearly two hours by rain.
Orioles 7, Indians 2 — Bud Norris stayed unbeaten as a starter with Baltimore and Nate McLouth homered and had three RBI during this victory over reeling host Cleveland in a matchup of two teams scrapping for an AL wild card berth.
Athletics 4, Rangers 2 — Coco Crisp hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth that was confirmed by a video review, and host Oakland pulled into a firstplace tie with Texas atop the AL West.
Royals 3, Mariners 1— In Kansas City, Mo., Felix Hernandez lost his fourth straight start and Will Smith struck out a career high eight to help the Kansas City beat Seattle.
Twins 10, Astros 6 — Rookie Chris Colabello homered twice, including a tiebreaking grand slam in the ninth inning, to lift Minnesota to a win over host Houston.
Interleague
Blue Jays 4, Diamondbacks 1 — In Phoenix, Esmil Rogers pitched 6B innings of one-hit ball to lead Toronto to a win against Arizona. Rogers struck out five and walked one in one of his best starts of the season. It was his first victory since June 18 against Colorado.