AMERICAN LEAGUE
Baltimore’s Adam Jones had a pair of hits and knocked in two runs as the Orioles took advantage of five Tampa Bay errors to beat the Rays 5-3 on Saturday.
Bill Hall hit a solo homer for the Orioles, who struck out 12 times but scored three unearned runs to beat their nearest rival for top spot in the American League East division.
Baltimore starter Brian Matusz (2-4) gave up two earned runs in 5-2/3 innings.
Tampa Bay starter Matt Moore (1-3) walked four and allowed four runs in 4-1/3 innings.
ANGELS 4, RANGERS 2
In Arlington, Texas, Kendrys Morales hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to lead Los Angeles over Texas.
Angels starter C.J. Wilson worked into the sixth to become the first major leaguer in 11 seasons to start consecutive games. He had faced only five batters before a rain delay in the series opener.
Mark Trumbo launched a towering two-run homer for the Angels off Matt Harrison (4-3).
Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton hit his majors-leading 18th homer and ninth in six games.
Los Angeles reliever David Carpenter (1-1) took the win, facing only two batters after replacing Wilson before the Angels took the lead in the seventh.
ATHLETICS 3, TIGERS 1
In Oakland, California, Brandon McCarthy matched a career high by pitching 10 strikeouts after missing his previous start with shoulder soreness, leading Oakland past Detroit.
He scattered four hits over seven innings to silence concerns about another serious injury setback. McCarthy (3-3) had struck out 10 batters only twice before.
Jonny Gomes, Cliff Pennington and Daric Barton each drove in a run for the Athletics.
Tigers starter Doug Fister had his scoreless streak ended at 11 innings when Gomes singled in the first. Fister (0-1) took the loss despite allowing only one run in six innings.
YANKEES 6, MARINERS 2
In New York, Phil Hughes won consecutive starts for the first time this season, steering New York past Seattle.
Hughes (3-4) allowed one run and one walk in 7-2/3 innings.
New York’s Raul Ibanez homered against his former team for the second straight day.
Former Yankees prospect Hector Noesi (2-4) lasted seven innings for the Mariners, allowing five runs.
In other Al play, it was:
‧ Red Sox 4, Indians 1
‧ Royals 5, White Sox 0
‧ Blue Jays 2, Twins 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, ST LOUIS, MISSOURI
Atlanta’s Brandon Beachy allowed only two singles in six innings, and helped himself by driving in a run, as the Braves beat the St Louis Cardinals 7-2 on Saturday.
Beachy (4-1) lowered his ERA to 1.60, fifth best in the National League.
Michael Bourn hit his first homer of the season, and went three for six with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Atlanta did most of its damage against Cardinals starter Adam Wainright (2-4), who lasted just 4-1/3 innings, allowing five runs with five walks.
METS 9, MARLINS 3
In Miami, David Wright homered and singled three times in his fourth consecutive multi-hit game as New York beat Miami.
Wright singled home a run in the first inning, hit a homer in the third, singled and scored in the sixth, and added an RBI single in the ninth, raising his batting average to an NL-best .402. His on-base percentage of .489 leads the majors.
Mets starter R.A. Dickey (5-1) gave up two runs and has allowed only seven in his past four starts. The knuckleballer also earned a painful RBI when he was hit on his pitching hand in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. He stayed in the game as New York made it six wins from seven games.
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco (4-1) missed a chance to break the team record for career victories and remained on 68. He allowed six runs in 4-2/3 innings.
In other NL play, it was:
‧ Dodgers 2, Rockies 1
‧ Nationals 2, Reds 1
‧ Giants 5, Diamondbacks 2
‧ Pirates 5, Astros 2
‧ Brewers 8, Cubs 2
‧ Padres 2, Phillies 1
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Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
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