Lance McCullers got Ian Kinsler to ground into a triple play in the fifth inning as the Houston right-hander went on to earn his first career victory on Saturday, leading the Astros over the Detroit Tigers 3-2.
Detroit led 2-1 in the fifth and had runners on first and second when Kinsler hit a grounder to third. Jonathan Villar stepped on the bag and threw to second, where Jose Altuve relayed the ball to first.
It was Houston’s first triple play since 2004, and the Astros followed that up by scoring two runs in the sixth to go ahead.
Photo: AFP
McCullers (1-0) allowed two runs and six hits with six strikeouts over six innings in his second career start.
The Houston bullpen did not allow a baserunner. Luke Gregerson pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances.
Kyle Lobstein (3-5) gave up three runs in 5-2/3 innings.
INDIANS 2, REDS 1
After Reds manager Bryan Price was ejected before the first pitch in Cleveland, Ohio, Corey Kluber threw eight effective innings and led Cleveland over Cincinnati for their fifth straight win.
The Reds lost their season-high seventh in a row.
Price was tossed by umpire Jim Reynolds after the exchange of lineup cards. They got into a lengthy argument that carried on as the Indians took the field.
Kluber (2-5) worked around constant trouble, but recorded his third strong start in a row. He allowed nine hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter.
The Indians’ Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his ninth save.
Tony Cingrani (0-1) walked Roberto Perez to start the eighth. Following a force play, Jason Kipnis lined a double to left-center that scored Michael Bourn.
RANGERS 15, YANKEES 4
In New York, Choo Shin-soo hit a go-ahead single and a three-run homer in a 10-run third inning that chased C.C. Sabathia from his shortest start in six years, and Texas routed reeling New York, who have lost nine of their last 10 games.
Shoo and Prince Fielder each had two hits in the third. Fielder finished with three RBIs and hit his third homer in a two games.
The Rangers, who rode a seven-run third on Friday to a 10-9 win, won their fourth straight and sent the Yankees to their fifth loss in a row.
Garrett Jones, a right fielder and first baseman, relieved for the Yankees. In the first pitching appearance of his eight-season big league career, he worked around a walk and a hit batter to get the final two outs of the ninth.
Nick Martinez (4-0), who pitched just 5km from Yankee Stadium for Fordham, got the win. Sabathia (2-6) allowed six runs and seven hits in 2-1/3 innings.
In other results, it was:
‧ Marlins 1, Orioles 0
‧ Royals 3, Cardinals 2
‧ Dodgers 2, Padres 0
‧ Giants 10, Rockies 8, 1st
‧ Rockies 5, Giants 3, 2nd
‧ Red Sox 8, Angels 3
‧ Phillies 8, Nationals 1
‧ Pirates 8, Mets 2
‧ Athletics 5, Rays 0
‧ Mariners 3, Blue Jays 2
‧ Twins 4, White Sox 3
‧ Braves 3, Brewers 2
‧ Cubs 9, Diamondbacks 6
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