MAJOR LEAGUES
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ NL Central chances were hurt when Todd Frazier had a tying two-run homer in the seventh inning and Ramon Santiago hit a grand slam in the 10th, powering the Cincinnati Reds to a 10-6 victory on Saturday.
Pittsburgh started the day a game behind first-place St Louis, who played at Arizona later.
The Pirates have already clinched at least a wild card and would host that game on Wednesday.
John Axford (0-1) walked Frazier to open the 10th and gave up Chris Heisey’s single and another walk with one out. Left-hander Bobby LaFromboise relieved, retired Bryan Pena on a shallow fly out, then gave up Santiago’s first career grand slam.
Dylan Axelrod (2-1) retired the side in the top of the 10th.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, CARDINALS 2
In Phoenix, Arizona, Mark Trumbo homered twice as Arizona prevented St Louis from clinching the NL Central title.
The Cardinals secured at least a tie for the division crown when Pittsburgh lost to Cincinnati earlier on Saturday, but they needed to win or have the Pirates lose yesterday to finish alone in first place.
Trumbo’s three-run shot off Seth Maness (6-4) broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning. Trumbo hit a solo drive in the first in his second multi-homer game in six days. David Peralta also had a solo shot in the first.
Randal Delgado (4-4) pitched three scoreless innings of relief to get the win. Addison Reed worked a perfect ninth for his 32nd save in 38 tries.
The Cardinals, who are the losers of four of six, scored on a sacrifice fly and wild pitch.
TWINS 12, TIGERS 3
In Detroit, Eduardo Escobar had a homer, four hits and a career-high six RBIs as Minnesota ensured that the AL Central race will come down to the very end with a rout of Detroit.
The Tigers entered with a one-game lead over second-place Kansas City, but the Tigers fell short of clinching. Minnesota scored six runs in the fifth. Escobar and Eric Fryer both hit two-run singles during that big rally, and Escobar added a three-run homer in the eighth.
Rookie Kyle Lobstein (1-2) allowed six runs in 4-2/3 innings for the Tigers.
Ricky Nolasco (6-12) allowed two runs and five hits, including a solo homer by Detroit’s Nick Castellanos in the second.
The Tigers have secured a post-season spot, but the division will was to be in doubt when they were to send David Price to the mound yesterday against Minnesota in Game 162.
WHITE SOX 5, ROYALS 4
In Chicago, Jose Abreu hit a two-run homer, and the Chicago White Sox kept Kansas City out of first place in the AL Central.
Kansas City clinched at least a wild-card spot on Friday.
Danny Duffy (9-12) lasted only two innings for the Royals. He allowed four runs, five hits and one walk. The White Sox jumped on him, scoring three runs in the first inning. Abreu capped the rally with his 36th home run.
Abreu broke a 31-year-old franchise record for the most homers in a season by a rookie, previously held by Ron Kittle. They are the most by a rookie since St Louis’ Albert Pujols hit 37 in 2001.
White Sox catcher Josh Phegley homered in the second and seventh innings for the first career multi-homer game.
John Danks (11-11) pitched seven solid innings to earn his first home win since June 17.
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Mariners 2, Angels 1, 11 inns
‧ Rangers 5, Athletics 4
‧ Red Sox 10, Yankees 4
‧ Blue Jays 4, Orioles 2
‧ Nationals 5, Marlins 1
‧ Dodgers 6, Rockies 5, 12 inns
‧ Giants 3, Padres 1
‧ Mets 2, Astros 1
‧ Rays 2, Indians 0
‧ Braves 4, Phillies 2
‧ Brewers 2, Cubs 1
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