NATIONAL LEAGUE
Ramon Hernandez broke open a close game with his sixth career Grand Slam as the Cincinnati Reds overpowered the Pirates 11-2 on Saturday, sending Pittsburgh to their fifth loss in six games.
Hernandez’s fifth-inning homer was his third hit off James McDonald (0-1), who let a tied game get away quickly. The Reds sent 10 batters to the plate for seven runs in the inning, capped by Drew Stubbs’ two-run homer.
Photo: Reuters
Jonny Gomes also had a solo shot and a two-run homer. The Reds’ four homers matched their season high.
Mike Leake (2-0) was a little off with his control in an unexpected start. He filled in for Edinson Volquez, who was pushed back a day because of a stiff neck. Leake gave up four hits and walked four in six innings.
National League most valuable player Joey Votto had a triple among his three hits, raising his average to .451.
CARDINALS 9, DODGERS 2
In Los Angeles, Allen Craig hit a three-run homer as St Louis defeated the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers to win their fourth in a row and sixth in seven games.
It was the seventh straight game that the Cardinals scored six or more runs and the first time in six games that they didn’t put up at least 14 hits. They had 13, including five straight in the ninth off Ramon Troncoso, to win their third in a row over Los Angeles.
Kyle McClellan (2-0) allowed one run and six hits in seven innings to earn his second major league victory as a starter in six days. He did not walk a batter.
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (2-2) labored through 4-2/3 innings. The left-hander gave up five runs and six hits, struck out a season-low five and walked a season-high five.
BRAVES 4, METS 2, 1ST GAME
BRAVES 4, METS 0, 2ND GAME
In Atlanta, Georgia, Jair Jurrjens threw seven sharp innings in his return from the disabled list as Atlanta shut out struggling New York on two hits to complete a doubleheader sweep.
In the opener, Alex Gonzalez hit two of Atlanta’s four solo homers and the Braves finally provided some offense for Derek Lowe.
The Mets were swept in a doubleheader for the second time in three days to extend their losing streak to seven games, their longest since dropping 11 straight in 2004. Colorado swept the Mets in New York on Thursday.
The Mets (4-11) have matched the third-worst start in franchise history, according to STATS LLC. They opened 3-12 in 1962 and 1964. They also lost 11 of their first 15 games in 1974 and 1981.
New York has lost 10 of 11 after winning three of their first four games under new manager Terry Collins.
Jurrjens (1-0) looked strong in his return from a right oblique strain, facing the minimum 15 batters through five innings. He gave up two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. George Sherrill and Scott Linebrink finished the two-hitter.
Chipper Jones and rookie Freddie Freeman also homered for the Braves in the opener.
In other NL play, it was:
‧ Astros 5, Padres 3
‧ Giants 5, Diamondbacks 3
‧ Cubs 8, Rockies 3
Postponed:
‧ Nationals v Brewers
‧ Phillies v Marlins
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Alex Gordon added three hits to his league-leading total and drove in two runs and Sean O’Sullivan out-pitched Felix Hernandez to lead the Kansas City Royals past the Seattle Mariners 7-0 in the American League on Saturday.
Mike Aviles had two hits and three RBIs as the Royals beat the Mariners for the third straight day and handed them their 11th loss in 13 games.
O’Sullivan (1-1) threw five shutout innings in his first start of the year. He allowed five hits and two walks, striking out four. He was helped by shortstop Alcides Escobar’s run-saving defensive play on a hard-hit grounder by Ichiro Suzuki, who was 0 for 5 and had his Kauffman Stadium hitting streak stopped at 16 games.
Only two of the five runs charged against Hernandez (1-2) were earned. Last year’s Cy Young winner took his second straight loss after going five innings and giving up six hits.
YANKEES 5, RANGERS 2
In New York, Freddy Garcia allowed two hits over six innings in his first start of the season, and Mark Teixeira drove in three runs as New York held off Texas.
The Yankees’ fifth starter, Garcia was scheduled to make his debut last week against Minnesota. When rain postponed the game, he was pushed back more than a week — though the weather wasn’t a whole lot better this time, with near-freezing showers. The veteran threw only 84 pitches before turning over a three-run lead to the Yankees bullpen.
Robinson Cano hit a two-run homer off Derek Holland (2-1).
RED SOX 4, BLUE JAYS 1
In Boston, Josh Beckett held Toronto to one run over seven innings and Jed Lowrie provided a spark at the top of Boston’s lineup with a two-run homer to end a three-game losing streak. Boston still has the major’s worst record at 3-10.
Beckett (2-1) used a nasty curveball to go with his fastball to hold the Blue Jays to a pair of singles and a double. He struck out nine and walked two. Lowrie, in the leadoff spot to replace struggling outfielder Carl Crawford, went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .500.
Travis Snider had an RBI single and stole a pair of bases for the Blue Jays, who lost for the sixth time in nine games.
In other games, it was:
‧ Indians 8, Orioles 3
‧ Rays 4, Twins 3
‧ Angels 7, White Sox 2
‧ Athletics 6, Tigers 2
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