NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-1 on Thursday to complete a series victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, taking a psychological edge in a clash of two teams that could well meet in a National League playoff series.
John Mayberry Jr hit a two-run homer for the Phillies, who took two of three games in the meeting of NL divisional leaders and have a 14-1-1 record in their past 16 series.
A thunderstorm delayed the game for 2 hours, 17 minutes after three innings. Neither starting pitcher returned when play resumed.
Philadelphia reliever David Herndon (1-2) struck out four over three scoreless innings to earn just his second career win.
Arizona starter Ian Kennedy (15-4) gave up three runs in three innings, ending a run of winning his previous seven starts.
The Diamondbacks remained 2.5 games ahead of San Francisco in the West division.
NATIONALS 3, REDS 1
In Washington, Jonny Gomes hit a two-run single that led Washington to victory over his old team Cincinnati.
Nationals catcher Jesus Flores also had his first home run in more than two years.
Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann (8-10) pitched 6-2/3 scoreless innings.
Reds starter Bronson Arroyo (7-10) got the loss.
DODGERS 5, BREWERS 1
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Clayton Kershaw throttled streaking Milwaukee with eight scoreless innings, leading Los Angeles to victory.
The NL Central-leading Brewers came in winners of 19 of 21 and were looking to complete a 7-0 homestand, but Kershaw (15-5) was tremendous, retiring 13 of his final 14 batters and never facing serious trouble after the third inning.
Rod Barajas hit a solo homer in the second and the Dodgers built a 5-0 lead by scoring twice in the seventh and two more in the eighth; the first runs allowed by Milwaukee’s bullpen in the past 10 games.
Brewers starter Marco Estrada (3-8) allowed three hits in five innings.
In other NL play, it was:
‧ Braves 1, Giants 0
‧ Padres 3, Marlins 1
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles rookie Mark Trumbo hit a game-ending two-run homer as the Angels beat Texas 2-1 to avoid a four-game sweep and claw back one game on the Rangers in the American League West race.
Torii Hunter led off the ninth inning with a single, then Trumbo hit his 23rd homer of the season off Mike Adams (1-2) to end it, snapping the Angels’ five-game skid and ending Texas’ six-game winning streak with one dramatic swing.
Horacio Ramirez (1-0) got one out in the ninth for Los Angeles, which moved within six games of West-leading Texas.
RED SOX 4, ROYALS 3
In Kansas City, Missouri, Dustin Pedroia drove in three runs with a pair of well-timed singles as Boston edged Kansas City.
Jason Varitek drove in the other Red Sox run, while starting pitcher Josh Beckett survived a shaky start to go seven innings.
Beckett (10-5) allowed all three Royals runs in the first three innings and improved to 7-1 in his career against them.
Jonathan Papelbon made it through a perfect ninth to extend his career-best streak to 24 consecutive saves. It was his 29th of the season.
Kansas City starter Luke Hochevar (8-10) labored through 114 pitches in just six innings.
YANKEES 8, TWINS 4
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, New York hit three more home runs to add to its major-league leading total and overpower Minnesota.
Mark Teixeira hit his 33rd homer of the season — a two-run shot in the third inning — and Nick Swisher and Andruw Jones hit back-to-back deep balls in the fifth inning against Twins pitcher Brian Duensing (8-12).
New York starter C.C. Sabathia (17-7) gave up three earned runs over seven innings, struck out nine and walked only one.
The Yankees stayed half a game ahead of Boston in the AL East race.
In other AL play, it was:
‧ Blue Jays 7, Athletics 0
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