MLB roundup: Kershaw propels Dodgers,, who are one game back of Giants.
Clayton Kershaw pitched five sharp innings for his first win since June 27, Gavin Lux and Corey Seager each hit two-run homers and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the host Cincinnati Reds 8-5 on Sunday.
Will Smith also homered as the Dodgers won for the eighth time in nine games to move one game behind the first-place Giants in the NL West.
Kershaw (10-7), who allowed one run and three hits, missed more than two months with inflammation in his left elbow before returning Monday to throw 41⁄3 innings against Arizona.
“I felt a little more crisp with each pitch,” Kershaw said of his outing Sunday. “I’ve still got a little ways to go with my stamina. I got up to, I think, 75 pitches, but we still have a couple more (starts) before the playoffs.”
Cardinals 8, Padres 7: San Diego center fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. dropped Nolan Arenado’s bases-loaded popup and heaved the ball home, rather than throwing to second for a force, leading to a five-run first inning as St. Louis extended its winning streak to eight. “Looking back, maybe you’d take the out at second,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said. “After the ball went on the ground, he just went with those instincts.”
Red Sox 8, Orioles 6: Kiké Hernandez’s game-tying RBI single caromed off second base and into shallow center field, sparking a three-run, seventh-inning rally for host Boston.
Blue Jays 5, Twins 3: Bo Bichette homered in a five-run first inning and host Toronto remained one game behind Boston in the race for the AL’s top wild-card spot.
Indians 11, Yankees 1: Gerrit Cole allowed seven runs over 52 ⁄3 innings in a home defeat as New York dropped 11 ⁄2 games behind Toronto for the second AL wild card.
Astros 7, D’backs 6: Jose Siri and Chas McCormick hit backto-back home runs in the eighth inning as host Houston won for the fourth time in five games.
Mariners 7, Royals 1: Rookie outfielder Jarred Kelenic homered and doubled twice for visiting Seattle.
Mets 3, Phillies 2: Jeff McNeil hit a tie-breaking homer leading off the seventh inning and host New York snapped a five-game losing streak.
Cubs 6, Brewers 4: St. Mary’s alum Patrick Wisdom hit his franchise rookie-record 27th home run to help Chicago win in Milwaukee. Wisdom had been tied with Kris Bryant (2015) for the mark.
White Sox 7, Rangers 2: Yasmani Grandal homered for the second game in a row for visiting Chicago.
Tigers 2, Rays 0: Wily Peralta gave up three hits in seven innings and visiting Detroit beat AL East-leading Tampa Bay.
Marlins 6, Pirates 5: Lewin Diaz led off the bottom of the 10th with a two-run homer off Chad Kuhl as host Miami beat Pittsburgh.
Nationals 3, Rockies 0: Juan Soto homered and Washington ended Colorado’s five-game road winning streak.