MAJOR LEAGUES
Vidal Nuno rebounded from two awful starts to pitch two-hit ball into the sixth inning, while Kelly Johnson and Brett Gardner hit consecutive homers as the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 6-0 on Friday night in the opener of a series between struggling powers.
Brian McCann added a two-run homer for New York,who have won six of their eight meetings with Boston this season.
In his first at-bat as a 40-year-old, Derek Jeter fisted a single to right field with one out in the first. His birthday was on Thursday, the Yankees’ final day off before playing 17 straight going into the All-Star break.
After Jacoby Ellsbury doubled, Jeter scored on Mark Teixeira’s sacrifice fly off Brandon Workman (1-1) for the early lead. The Yankees captain also singled in the fourth for hit No. 3,390 and went two-for-four in New York’s second win in six games.
CARDINALS 3, DODGERS 1
In Los Angeles, Jhonny Peralta hit a tiebreaking two-run double and Yadier Molina homered for St Louis.
Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez could not make it out of the fifth inning despite the two-run lead. Manager Mike Matheny pulled him after a one-out single by Dee Gordon and a walk to Yasiel Puig, but Seth Maness (3-2) retired Adrian Gonzalez on a double-play grounder. Maness allowed one hit through 2-1/3 innings with two strikeouts.
Maness got a huge assist from center fielder Jon Jay, who robbed Juan Uribe of a potential RBI double in the sixth when he sprinted
REDS 6, GIANTS 2
In San Francisco, Billy Hamilton and Jay Bruce drove in two runs apiece to power Cincinnati.
Johnny Cueto (8-5) pitched a three-hitter over 8-1/3 innings and the Reds won their third straight and sixth of seven overall.
Cueto walked two and struck out three, allowing both runs and raising his majors-leading ERA from 1.86 to 1.88.
Aroldis Chapman got the final two outs for his 16th save in 17 chances.
ASTROS 4, TIGERS 3, 11 INNS
In Houston, Jason Castro hit a solo homer in the 11th inning to send Houston to victory and snap Detroit’s seven-game winning streak.
Castro launched a pitch from Blaine Hardy (0-1) into the seats in right field with one out.
The Tigers tied it when Eugenio Suarez scored on an error in the eighth inning. Jake Buchanan (1-1) pitched a perfect 11th for his first major league win.
In other MLB action it was:
‧ Rays 5, Orioles 2, game 1
‧ Orioles 4, Rays 1, game 2
‧ White Sox 5, Blue Jays 4
‧ Braves 4, Phillies 2
‧ Cubs 7, Nationals 2
‧ Athletics 9, Marlins 5
‧ Pirates 3, Mets 2, 11 inns
‧ Royals 8, Angels 6
‧ Rangers 5, Twins 4
‧ Brewers 3, Rockies 2
‧ Mariners 3, Indians 2
‧ Diamondbacks 2, Padres 1
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