Scherzer, Nats thump Cubs
WASHINGTON — Max Scherzer allowed one run and two hits as the Washington Nationals knocked Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta out in the fifth inning on the way to a 6-1 victory on Tuesday night in a showdown of the past two NL Cy Young Award winners.
Scherzer (9-5) was dominant in his six innings of work, striking out six with no walks and retiring 16 of the final 17 batters he faced.
Arrieta (7-6), on the other hand, issued a season-high six walks and allowed five earned runs, getting the hook two batters into the fifth. The 2014 Cy Young winner hadn’t walked more than three batters in a game this season.
He and catcher Miguel Montero allowed seven stolen bases, matching the Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record. Nationals shortstop Trea Turner had four of those.
RAYS 4, PIRATES 2 (10): David Freese misplayed a groundball at third base, allowing Steven Souza Jr. to score in the 10th inning and give Tampa Bay a win at Pittsburgh. Josh Harrison broke up a no-hit bid by Tampa Bay righthander Alex Cobb in the seventh inning.
REDS 8, BREWERS 6: Joey Votto hit a tiebreaking tworun homer in the fifth inning, helping last-place Cincinnati top visiting Milwaukee.
RANGERS 2, INDIANS 1: Adrian Beltre hit his 450th career home run, a solo drive in the ninth inning off Cody Allen that sent Texas over host Cleveland.
WHITE SOX 4, YANKEES 3: Jose Abreu hit a game-ending, two-run single off Dellin Betances, and host Chicago snapped a four-game losing streak.
RED SOX 4, TWINS 1: Chris Sale pitched 61⁄3 overpowering innings with nine strikeouts, Mitch Moreland homered for the third straight game, and Boston beat visiting Minnesota.
ORIOLES 3, BLUE JAYS 1: Kevin Gausman won for the first time in four starts, Mark Trumbo hit an RBI double, and Baltimore won at Toronto.
TIGERS 5, ROYALS 3: J.D. Martinez and Miguel Cabrera homered, and Justin Verlander pitched seven strong innings as Detroit topped visiting Kansas City.
MARLINS 6, METS 3: Ichiro Suzuki had a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning, Christian Yelich had three hits, and Miami defeated visiting New York.