García’s 2-run homer in the 10th lifts Rangers over struggling Yankees

NEW YORK – Adolis García hit a two-run homer on Michael King’s first pitch of the 10th inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the slumping New York Yankees 4-2 on Friday night for their fifth win in six games.

New York’s offense again struggled in the absence of injured slugger Aaron Judge. The Yankees are last in the major leagues in batting average and runs in June, managing six hits or fewer in five of their last six games. They are 10-16 this year when Judge has been on the injured list, losing 10 of 16 since he hurt a toe. New York is 31-19 with Judge available.

The team’s other big slugger, Giancarlo Stanton, is hitting .096 since returning from a strained hamstring, going 5 for 52 with a pair of solo homers for his only RBIs.

Texas leads the AL West and tops the majors in scoring and batting average. The Tigers will face them in Arlington, Texas, on Monday-Thursday.

García drove a hanging curve from King (1-4) into the leftfield seats, giving him 17 homers and 60 RBIs. King has struggled of late, with a 9.95 ERA in his previous five outings.

Friday’s other games

Reds 11, Braves 10: Dazzling rookie Elly De La Cruz hit for the cycle, Joey Votto launched tying and go-ahead homers and host Cincinnati extended its winning streak to 12 games, erased an early 5-0 deficit and halted Atlanta’s eight-game winning streak.

De La Cruz became the first Cincinnati player in 34 years to hit for the cycle. He completed it by the sixth inning with a triple that gave him four RBIs. The cycle was the seventh in team history, fifth since 1900 and first since Eric Davis accomplished the feat on June 2, 1989.

Brewers 7, Guardians 1: Willy Adames homered twice and drove in five runs and Wade Miley pitched six sharp, scoreless innings to power visiting Milwaukee in the first game of a 10game trip. Adames belted a three-run homer in the sixth inning off Shane Bieber (5-5). Milwaukee’s hard-hitting shortstop, a former Tigers prospect, added a solo shot in the ninth and a run-scoring single in the first.

Rays 11, Royals 3: Jose Siri homered and drove in four runs, Zach Eflin won his ninth game and MLB-leading Tampa Bay beat visiting Kansas City. Siri had a three-run homer in the second inning and gave the Rays a 4-3 led with an RBI single in the fourth.

Athletics 5, Blue Jays 4: Shea Langaliers hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning and visiting Oakland snapped an eight-game losing streak. Lanagliers hit his ninth home run off Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano as Toronto lost the opener of a three-game series against the team with the worst record (2058) in the majors.

Pirates 3, Marlins 1: Carlos Santana broke a ninth-inning tie with an RBI single and visiting Pittsburgh snapped a 10-game losing streak. Down 1-0 after eight innings, the Pirates scored three runs against relievers A.J. Puk (3-2) and Dylan Floro.

Phillies 5, Mets 1: Taijuan Walker pitched six strong innings, Trea Turner had a pair of RBIs and host Philadelphia took advantage of two defensive miscues for its seventh win in nine games. Brandon Marsh had three hits, a double and an RBI for the Phillies. Bryce Harper also drove in a run for the Phillies before getting ejected in the seventh inning for arguing with home-plate umpire Mike Estabrook after a called third strike.

Seattle’s J-Rod to compete in HR Derby at home

BALTIMORE – This year’s Home Run Derby now has a hometown favorite: Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez is in.

Rodríguez, who finished second last year in the event to Juan Soto, said Friday it’s a no-brainer to participate in front of his home fans. The All-Star game is July 11 in Seattle, with the Home Run Derby the previous day.

“This probably will never happen again in my career – being able to do that for them at the home field definitely will be something that I’m looking forward to,” Rodríguez said before Friday night’s game at Baltimore.

Rodríguez won Rookie of the Year honors last year and helped Seattle make the postseason. The talented outfielder hit 81 homers in the Home Run Derby in Los Angeles.

Angels acquire Escobar from the Mets

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Looking to replenish their injury-depleted infield, the Los Angeles Angels acquired switch-hitter Eduardo Escobar from the New York Mets for two minor league pitchers Friday night.

The 34-year-old Escobar got off to a slow start this season and lost his starting job at third base in April when the Mets called up touted prospect Brett Baty from the minors.

The popular Escobar has flourished in a part-time role at third and second, however, batting .333 (20 for 60) with three home runs, two triples, 10 RBIs and a .951 OPS in his last 25 games.

Mets to play Phillies in London in 2024

LONDON – The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies will play a two-game series in London next season as MLB takes another rivalry abroad.

League commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed the June 8-9 games at London Stadium on Friday, ahead of this weekend’s series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs.

“We think our game is at its best when we have traditional rivals playing and we want to show the fans here in London the very best form of baseball,” Manfred said.

Rays believe ace McClanahan can avoid IL

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash believes that ace Shane McClanahan can avoid going on the injured list due to mid-back tightness.

McClanahan, who leads the majors with 11 wins, left Thursday night’s 6-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals with two outs in the fourth inning.

“I talked to Shane, he’s good,” Cash said before Friday night’s game against the Royals. “Encouraged by that. Happy with that.”

McClanahan’s next scheduled start is Wednesday night at Arizona; he said he’s feeling good.

“Definitely a better spot than yesterday,” McClanahan said.