Mets’ Verlander gets 250th win
Justin Verlander earned his 250th career victory in what could be his final start for the Mets, who beat the Nationals, 5-2, in New York Sunday after trading Max Scherzer.
Francisco Lindor homered and had three hits for the fourth-place Mets (50-55), who took three of four from last-place Washington. Pete Alonso drove in two runs.
After news of the agreement broke Saturday, the Mets and Rangers announced the deal involving Scherzer shortly before first pitch Sunday at Citi Field.
New York also sent cash to Texas and received one of the Rangers’ top prospects in infielder Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. New York said he will be optioned to Double A Binghamton.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said before his club’s 5-3 loss in San Diego that Scherzer will make his Texas debut Thursday at home against the White Sox
With Scherzer and closer David Robertson traded away in the past few days, it’s possible Verlander could be next as the disappointing Mets look to get younger and improve their farm system.
Verlander intends to speak with general manager Billy Eppler after being surprised by Scherzer’s trade.
“I think it largely depends on how the organization views next year. I think Max is a tough sign for trying to go back at it,” said Verlander, who has a no-trade clause.
Verlander (6-5) allowed one run in 5‚ innings to become the 49th major leaguer to reach 250 wins.
He became the first pitcher to reach 250 wins since CC Sabathia for the Yankees on June 19, 2019.
Orioles break out early
Adam Frazier hit a three-run homer as part of a seven-run first for the host Orioles in a 9-3 win over the Yankees.
The Orioles led, 6-0, before they made an out against Luis Severino (2-5), and took two of three in the series. Baltimore is 1½ games ahead of Tampa Bay atop the AL East. The Yankees are 3½ behind the last playoff spots in the AL.
Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson hit consecutive singles to start the bottom of the first, and Anthony Santander followed with an RBI double. Ryan O’Hearn then doubled home two more runs.
After a walk to Austin Hays, Frazier’s drive gave the Orioles a six-run lead after six batters. Rutschman’s single made it 7-0.
The Orioles optioned righthander Tyler Wells to Double A Bowie. Wells is among the major league leaders with a 1.02 WHIP, and is 7-6 with a 3.80 ERA, but he’s lasted only nine innings over three starts since the All-Star break.
Renfroe lifts Angels
Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run homer in the 10th and the Angels beat the host Blue Jays, 3-2, to avoid a three-game sweep.
Los Angeles trails Toronto by four games in the AL wild-card race. The Red Sox and Yankees are ahead of the Angels.
Renfroe’s 17th home run of the season came off Blue Jays righthander Yimi García (3-4). Renfroe went 3 for 4 and drove in all three runs. He also hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly.
After the game, the Blue Jays said they acquired righthanded reliever Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals for minor league righties Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein.
The Angels put outfielder Taylor Ward on the 10-day injured list with facial fractures a day after he was hit in the head by a 91-mile-per-hour pitch. Angels manager Phil Nevin said Ward did not have vision damage. Surgery is an option, but no decision was made.
After the game, Los Angeles reacquired slugger C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk from Colorado, bolstering its injury-plagued roster as it fights for a playoff spot. The Angels sent two minor league pitchers to the Rockies.
Palacios has a blast
Josh Palacios hit a two-run homer in the 10th in Pittsburgh, and the Pirates rallied twice from two down to beat the Phillies, 6-4, and clinch the three-game series.
With Jared Triolo on as the automatic runner, Palacios led off the 10th by driving a slider from Andrew Vasquez (2-1) to right. He celebrated his 28th birthday with his second homer of the season as the Pirates took two of three from the Phillies, who fell a half-game behind for the third NL wild card.
Palacios, who went 3 for 5, is the first Pirates player to hit a walkoff home run on his birthday, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Reds move into first
Elly De La Cruz, Joey Votto, and Matt McLain homered, and the Reds routed the Dodgers, 9-0, in Los Angeles to take sole possession of first place in the NL Central by a half-game over the Brewers . . . Matt Olson drove in five runs with two homers, including a go-ahead, two-run blast in the eighth, and the Braves beat the Brewers, 8-6, in Atlanta to cap a series sweep. Olson has 35 homers, tops in the NL, and 88 RBIs, tops in the majors.