NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Los Angeles Dodgers turned a bizarre triple play in the top of the ninth inning as they beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep.
It was 4-4 when the Dodgers turned their first triple play in 15 years.
San Diego’s Chris Denorfia led off with a single against Javy Guerra (1-0) and Chase Headley walked. With two men on base, Jesus Guzman then squared to bunt, but the high, tight pitch hit his bat as he backed away.
The ball landed fair in front of the plate and the catcher picked it up and threw to third for the out. The third baseman threw to second for the second out and the ball was relayed to first where Guzman was out because he had been stunned by the pitch and hadn’t run to the base.
In the bottom of the inning, Dee Gordon singled home the winning run.
Brad Brach (0-1) was the loser for the Padres, who have lost four straight.
REDS 8, NATIONALS 5 (11)
In Washington, Joey Votto hit a two-run double in the 11th inning to lift Cincinnati to victory, avoiding a four-game sweep by Washington.
The Reds, who had scored just 10 runs in losing five of six, scored their most runs in a game this season.
Drew Stubbs, who had been 1-for-15 in the series, singled off Tyler Clippard (1-1) to open the 11th. After an unsuccessful bunt, Zack Cozart singled and Votto doubled to left. Scott Rolen followed with an RBI single.
Jose Arrendondo (1-0) threw a scoreless 10th for the win. Sean Marshall worked the 11th for his first save of the season.
PHILLIES 8, METS 2
In Philadelphia, Cole Hamels pitched seven strong innings to lead Philadelphia past New York.
Hamels (1-1) struck out 10. It was the 19th double-digit strikeout game of his career.
Ty Wigginton drove in four runs for the Phillies, who scored twice in the seventh inning against Mets reliever Ramon Ramirez (1-1). The Phillies blew the game open with five unearned runs in the eighth off two Mets relievers.
In other NL action, it was:
‧ Cardinals 10, Cubs 3
‧ Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 2
‧ Braves 7, Brewers 4
‧ Marlins 5, Astros 4 (11)
‧ Pirates 4, Giants 1
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, CHICAGO
Detroit’s Gerald Laird homered among his three hits to power the Tigers to a 5-2 win over Chicago on Sunday, ending the White Sox’s four-game winning streak.
Laird homered to left against Chris Sale (1-1) leading off the third.
His efforts were backed by a strong outing by Rick Porcello (1-0), who was sharp and aggressive, not issuing any walks in 7-2/3 innings.
The White Sox brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Jose Valverde struck out Dayan Viciedo to end the game.
BLUE JAYS 9, ORIOLES 2
In Toronto, Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run homer and Brett Lawrie added a solo shot in Toronto’s win over Baltimore.
The Blue Jays used a seven-run sixth inning to avoid what would have been their first three-game sweep by the Orioles in seven years.
Toronto starter Kyle Drabek (2-0) allowed one earned run in 7-1/3 innings, striking out six.
Baltimore’s Brian Matusz (0-2) allowed five runs in 5-2/3 innings, extending his winless streak to 11 starts.
RANGERS 4, TWINS 3
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Josh Hamilton’s two-run homer in the eighth capped a three-run inning that lifted Texas over Minnesota.
Glen Perkins (0-1) walked a batter to start the eighth and Elvis Andrus followed with an RBI triple to bring the Rangers within one. Hamilton then hit the first pitch he saw from Perkins into the upper deck above right field.
Robbie Ross (2-0) struck out three in two scoreless innings for his second win in two days and the Rangers completed their first series sweep in Minnesota in 13 years.
MARINERS 5, ATHLETICS 3
In Seattle, Brendan Ryan hit a two-run homer and Justin Smoak added a solo shot as Seattle defeated Oakland.
Smoak snapped a skid of 11 straight at-bats without a hit when he lined a solo homer with two outs in the third off Graham Godfrey (0-2).
Blake Beavan (1-1) threw seven strong innings.
In other AL action, it was:
‧ Red Sox 6, Rays 4
‧ Yankees 11, Angels 5
‧ Indians 13, Royals 7
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