Yankees hit five homers

Yankees 7, Pirates 1: Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer, one of five home runs by host New York in its victory over Pittsburgh yesterday.

Zoilo Almonte, Brett Gardner and Alfonso Soriano also homered off a struggling Edinson Volquez to back five scoreless innings from David Phelps. Brian McCann added a tworun homer in the eighth against reliever Vin Mazzaro as New York won for only the second time in its past eight home games.

YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Cardinals 4, Braves 1: Rookie Kolten Wong sparked St. Louis’ offense with his legs in support of Shelby Miller’s strongest outing of the season, and the Cardinals defeated visiting Atlanta to tie a season high with their fourth straight victory.

Wong scored on Yadier Molina’s sacrifice fly just beyond the infield to tie the score in the fourth. He bunted for a hit and drew a wild throw in St. Louis’ go-ahead, two-run rally off Aaron Harang in the sixth. Cubs 3, Brewers 0: Edwin Jackson struck out 11 in seven innings and Welington Castillo hit a two-run double to lead host Chicago over Milwaukee.

La Russa joins front office of Arizona

The Arizona Diamondbacks have hired Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa as their chief baseball officer.

La Russa, who retired from managing in 2011, will report to team President Derrick Hall and oversee the entire baseball operations. He won three World Series titles and six league championships in 33 seasons.