NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Colorado Rockies returned from the All-Star break in impressive style, knocking the Milwaukee Brewers off top spot in the National League Central Division with a 12-3 pounding on Thursday.
The Rockies roughed up Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo, chasing him from the mound after he allowed six runs in four innings, and added a late offensive flurry to drop the Brewers (49-44) a half game behind the St Louis Cardinals.
Photo: AFP
Ryan Spilborghs went four-for-six with four RBIs, blasting a homer in the first inning and adding a two-RBI double in the seventh.
The Rockies (44-48) scored four runs in the fourth to take a 6-2 advantage and added a run in the sixth on Mark Ellis’ RBI double. Ellis finished with three RBIs and the Rockies tallied a season-high 20 hits on the night.
“[Getting] quality at-bats and getting guys in from third base with less than two outs is important,” Spilborghs told reporters. “It’s been our Achilles’ heel all year.”
Photo: Reuters
Starter Ubaldo Jimenez tossed six innings and allowed two runs to earn the victory for Colorado, who sit third in the five-team National League West Division.
Jimenez (5-8) started the season 0-5, but has regained the form that fired him to 19 wins last year.
“Earlier this year, when guys got on base, I’d start worrying: ‘Oh, is this guy going to score?’ But I’m feeling more confident now. I’m a lot more comfortable,” he said.
Jimenez allowed an RBI double to All-Star MVP Prince Fielder in the first and another run in the second.
Despite the loss, Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun returned to the lineup in style after missing eight games with a calf injury. He added two hits to extend his hitting streak to 23 games.
GIANTS 6, PADRES 2, 12 INNINGS
In San Diego, California, Mike Fontenot brought in the go-ahead run, a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the 12th, to give San Francisco victory over San Diego.
Cody Ross started the winning rally in the 12th with a leadoff walk against Luke Gregerson (2-3).
Aubrey Huff had hit a tying homer off All-Star closer Heath Bell leading off the ninth inning to tie it. Bell had gone 99 games and 102 innings — the longest stretch in franchise history — since giving up his last homer.
It was Bell’s second blown save in 28 opportunities and the bullpen collapse extended the Padres’ losing streak to six games, tying their season-worst.
Giants All-Star closer Brian Wilson came on with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 12th for his 27th save. Santiago Casillas (2-1) threw two perfect innings for the win.
MARLINS 6, CUBS 3
In Chicago, Florida scored six runs in the ninth inning to overwhelm Chicago.
Cubs closer Carlos Marmol (2-3) picked up his seventh blown save. He walked three batters, throwing just one strike in the process, and pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs followed with a double that along with a throwing error gave Florida a 3-2 lead.
Marmol walked another batter, before Kerry Wood came on in relief and allowed a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring single. A further reliever, James Russell, gave up an RBI single to make it 6-2.
The Marlins trailed 2-0 before sending 11 batters to the plate in their final in the ninth and they won a season-best sixth straight game.
Florida reliever Edward Mujica (7-2) recorded the final out in the eighth to take the win.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, TORONTO
The Toronto Blue Jays used an eight-run first inning to set up a 16-7 win over the New York Yankees in the American League on Thursday.
Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames had three hits and three RBIs each for the Blue Jays, who set season-highs in runs and hits (20) to win their fourth straight game.
The Blue Jays lost slugger Jose Bautista to a twisted right ankle in the fourth inning. Bautista, who leads the majors with 31 home runs, limped off after an awkward slide into third base. His fitness will be assessed day-to-day.
The defeat ended a nine-year streak for the Yankees of winning their first game after an All-Star break.
Toronto starter Jo-Jo Reyes (5-7) allowed 10 hits in 5-1/3 innings.
New York’s Bartolo Colon (6-5) lost consecutive starts for the first time this season, allowing eight runs in 2/3 of an inning, his shortest start of the year.
RANGERS 5, MARINERS 0
In Seattle, Derek Holland pitched a complete game shutout to steer Texas to their season-best eighth straight win, downing Seattle.
Holland (8-4) did not allow a single baserunner through five innings and recorded his fourth career complete game — all shutouts — his third this season and the second straight.
Mike Napoli, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz homered for Texas.
Jason Vargas (6-7) went six innings for Seattle, allowing a season-worst 12 hits.
INDIANS 8, ORIOLES 4
In Baltimore, Maryland, Cleveland moved to the top of the American League Central by beating Baltimore, who lost their eighth straight.
Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana connected in a three-run first inning against Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-13). The Indians are 4-0 against Baltimore this season.
Justin Masterson (8-6) struck out eight in six innings, giving up four runs while improving to 3-0 in his past three starts.
TWINS 8, ROYALS 4
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Trevor Plouffe hit a two-run homer to help the Twins overcome Kansas City.
Delmon Young had three hits in his return to the lineup, Joe Mauer had two hits and two RBIs, while Alexi Casilla and Tsuyoshi Nishioka both had two hits for the Twins.
Minnesota starter Francisco Liriano (6-7) gave up one earned run in seven innings.
The Royals bullpen let a close game get out of hand, with Blake Wood walking three and hitting another batter while being charged with four runs in the seventh inning in relief of Bruce Chen (5-3).
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