Kansas City leapfrogged Detroit to the top of the American League standings by beating the Tigers 8-1 on Thursday, led by a strong pitching effort by Danny Duffy.
The Royals went to the top of the AL Central and are equal with Houston for the league lead after the surprising Astros edged Seattle to take their seventh straight win.
In the National League, Washington inflicted the New York Mets’ first home loss of the season, and league leader St Louis defeated Philadelphia.
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Kansas City’s Duffy (2-0) held Detroit scoreless over the first seven innings. He struck out seven and walked two before being replaced after giving up a run to start the eighth.
Eric Hosmer, who also homered on Wednesday at Cleveland, drove a pitch to center for a two-run homer as the Royals took a potentially important early-season win over their division rivals. Last year, Kansas City won only six of 19 against Detroit and finished a game behind the Tigers, who have won the past four AL Central titles.
Houston extended its winning streak with a 3-2 victory over Seattle, with Jose Altuve providing the winning hit in the 10th inning.
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With one out in the tenth, Marwin Gonzalez doubled down the right-field line off reliever Dominic Leone (0-2). After a walk, Altuve got his third hit of the game — a lined single to left field for his first career walk-off hit.
Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg settled down in a hurry after a rocky start to guide the Nationals to an 8-2 win at the Mets.
Strasburg (2-2) gave up two runs in 5-1/3 innings, striking out seven, as the Nationals — regarded as strong NL contenders — claimed a third-straight win after having started a disappointing 7-13.
New York had won its opening 10 home games of the season.
St Louis’ Matt Adams had three hits, including a tiebreaking two-run homer that gave the Cardinals a 9-3 victory over Philadelphia.
With the score at 3-3 in the third inning, Adams hit a two-run home run and the Cardinals were in control from there.
St Louis starting pitcher Tim Cooney made his major league debut at age 24, but only lasted 2-1/3 innings, having given up seven hits.
Cincinnati’s Mike Leake pitched eight strong innings and hit only his fifth career home run to help the Reds beat Atlanta 5-1.
The Los Angeles Angels hung on for a 6-5 victory at fast-finishing Oakland, with Kole Calhoun contributing two hits and three RBIs.
Toronto’s Kevin Pillar hit a two-run double that highlighted a five-run fourth inning that was enough for the Blue Jays to win 5-1 at Cleveland.
Minnesota’s Brian Dozier had a homer and four RBIs as the Twins overpowered the Chicago White Sox 12-2.
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