STRASBURG STANDS 9-0 AFTER NATS ROUT CARDS

washington» Stephen Strasburg won his 12th consecutive decision dating to last season and Jayson Werth connected for a pinch-hit grand slam Sunday, helping the Nationals rout the Cardinals 10-2.

Wilson Ramos had three hits, including a two-run homer, and drove in four runs. Bryce Harper hit an RBI single during Washington’s three-run fourth inning off struggling Michael Wacha (2-6).

Strasburg (9-0) pitched six innings of one-run ball as Washington salvaged a split of the four-game series. The righthander from San Diego State improved to 12-0 in 15 starts since losing to the Mets last Sept. 9, and the Nationals have won all 15 of those games.

Washington is 11-0 this season in games started by Strasburg, who lowered his ERA to 2.69 and tied Cubs ace Jake Arrieta for the National League lead in wins.

SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Starlin Castro’s two-run homer off Jake Odorizzi in the seventh inning was the Yankees’ only hit of the game, and it was enough to give them a 2-1 victory over the Rays. Brett Gardner took a 3-2 pitch with one out in the seventh to draw the Yankees’ first walk and become their second baserunner. Castro then sent a 91 mph pitch over the center-field fence . ... Hyun Soo Kim’s first major-league home run broke a seventh-inning tie, helping the Orioles beat the Indians 6-4. Kim, signed as a free agent after playing 10 seasons in South Korea, drove a 2-2 pitch from Jeff Manship into the seats in right with two outs. Nolan Reimold added a leadoff homer in the ninth . ... Cheslor Cuthbert drove in the go-ahead run with an infield hit in a three-run eighth inning for the Royals, who beat the White Sox 5-4 with a winning rally for the third consecutive day. White Sox relievers allowed 17 runs, 15 hits and eight walks in 6L innings during the three-game series . ... Jonathan Lucroy drove in three runs for the Brewers, who beat the Reds 5-4 . ... Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI double in the 11th inning for the Red Sox, who beat the Blue Jays 5-3 . ... Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland homered during the Rangers’ four-run fourth inning, helping them beat the Pirates 6-2 . ... The Cubs improved the majors’ best record to 34-14 with a 7-2 victory over the Phillies. Ben Zobrist hit a three-run homer for Chicago. Zobrist extended his hitting streak to 15 games and propelled the Cubs to their sixth series sweep of the season. “Many times you’ll see a team not have the same sense of urgency on sweep day after you’ve won the series,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. “I really like that our guys aren’t satisfied with just winning a series.”... Joe Mauer and Miguel Sano both homered for a third consecutive game, helping the Twins beat the Mariners 5-4 . ... Billy Butler delivered a pinch-hit, two-run single in the sixth inning for the Athletics, who rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Tigers . ... Archie Bradley struck out a career-high nine in 7L innings for the Diamondbacks, who defeated the Padres 6-3 . ... The Braves dropped to 4-21 at home with a 7-3 loss to the Marlins . ... Carlos Correa blasted a pinch-hit, threerun homer in the 13th for the Astros, who defeated the Angels 8-6 . ... Adrian Gonzalez’s two-run single in the ninth gave the Dodgers a 4-2 victory over the Mets.

FOOTNOTE

Perez hit with thigh injury. Royals catcher Salvador Perez likely will be out seven to 10 days because of a bruised thigh, an injury he suffered Saturday. “Hopefully it’s not going to require a trip to the DL,” manager Ned Yost said. The Associated Press