Yankees top Jays, extend streak to 9

TORONTO — Jameson Taillon and two relievers combined on a five-hitter, Aaron Hicks lined a threerun double and the New York Yankees extended their winning streak to nine by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 Saturday.

Taillon (8-1) allowed four hits and struck out eight in52 ⁄3 innings to win his eighth straight decision.

Michael King worked two innings and Clay Holmes got the final four outs. The Yankees pitched their 11th shutout of the season and improved to a major leaguebest 49-16.

Toronto put runners at second and third with one out in the second inning, but Taillon retired the next eight batters in a row.

Alek Manoah (8-2) lost for the first time in 16 career home starts, disappointing a sellout crowd of 45,055. Manoah came in 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA in four career starts against New York, but allowed four runs and six hits in 5 1⁄3 innings. He walked one and struck out five.

Cubs 6, Braves 3: Willson Contreras had three hits and stole a base in his first game against younger brother William, helping Chicago win at home.

The Contreras brothers both started at catcher, marking the first time they shared a field. They hugged before the 30-year-old Willson, a two-time All-Star, singled in the first inning. Contreras then stole second base against his brother, and scored on Jonathan Villar’s two-run single.

Willson Contreras later doubled and drove in a run. His 24-year-old brother had two hits for the Braves.

Mets 3, Marlins 2: Taijuan Walker retired 18 in a row and pitched into the seventh inning, Francisco Lindor homered for the second straight game and

New York won at home.

The Mets have won three straight and five of six, earning their NL-best 44th victory and improving to a season-high 21 games over .500.

Walker (5-2) pitched one-run ball and struck out nine over 6 2⁄3 innings in front of a large crowd on an unseasonably cool and breezy day.

Royals 2, Athletics 0: Brad Keller allowed one hit in seven crisp innings to lift visiting Kansas City.

Jose Cuas retired two batters and allowed a one-out double in the eighth. Scott Barlow set down the final four batters for his eighth save to complete the twohitter and give the Royals a third consecutive win.

The A’s were shut out for the eighth time this season, dropped their eighth straight at home, and fell to a majors-worst 22-45. Oakland has lost 15 of 17.