Brett Gardner homered and Stephen Drew hit a two-run double as the New York Yankees pieced together just enough offense to overcome Rick Porcello’s career-high 13 strikeouts and beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Porcello (6-12) scattered five hits over eight innings and the only earned run he allowed was Gardner’s solo homer in the eighth. However, the Red Sox gave him little support at the plate, stranding seven runners.
Michael Pineda (10-8) pitched six strong innings for the Yankees, scattering four hits and striking out seven, while Andrew Miller picked up his 29th save as New York evened the series at one game apiece.
Photo: AFP
Boston had a promising rally going in the eighth that quickly fizzled on an attempted double steal.
MARLINS 7, BRAVES 1
In Atlanta, Georgia, Justin Nicolino pitched seven scoreless innings and Justin Bour hit a three-run home run as Miami beat hapless Atlanta again.
Photo: AFP
Nicolino (3-2) shut down the Braves with help from a pair of double plays. Atlanta lost for the 14th time in 15 games, including the last seven in a row, but at least avoided their second straight shutout when A.J. Pierzynski drove in a run with a two-out single in the eighth off Erik Cordier.
The Braves have been outscored 110-40 during their most recent skid. Manny Banuelos (1-3) made his first start in more than a month coming off the disabled list. He lasted 2-2/3 innings, giving up six hits and three runs.
Hector Olivera went zero for four with a strikeout in his major league debut for the Braves.
RAYS 11, ORIOLES 2
In Baltimore, Maryland, J.P. Arencibia homered and drove in six runs to provide support to an impressive pitching performance by Drew Smyly as Tampa Bay cruised past Baltimore.
Brandon Guyer had four hits for the Rays, who scored four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to send the Orioles to their 12th loss in 13 games. Tampa Bay have won three in a row to get back to .500 and stay in the hunt for the final AL wild-card spot.
Smyly (2-2) struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings. The left-hander allowed four hits, walked one and retired the final 10 batters he faced.
It was his fourth start since returning from a three-and-a-half-month stay on the disabled list with a torn left labrum.
Chris Tillman (9-10) gave up seven runs and eight hits in 4-2/3 innings.
BLUE JAYS 5, INDIANS 3
In Toronto, Ryan Goins hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning as Toronto snapped Cleveland’s six-game winning streak.
Yan Gomes hit two home runs and Michael Brantley also connected, but it was not enough for the Indians.
Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion went zero for two with a walk and a sacrifice fly, ending his career-high hitting streak at 26 games.
Dioner Navarro singled off Bryan Shaw (3-3) to begin the 10th and was replaced by pinch-runner Ezequeiel Carrera. One out later, Goins drilled the game-winning homer into the right field bullpen, his fifth.
Mark Lowe (1-2) got one out for the victory as AL East-leading Toronto won for the fourth time in five games and remained one-and-a-half games ahead of the New York Yankees, who beat Boston 3-1.
In other results, it was:
‧ Phillies 14, Mets 8
‧ Brewers 7, Pirates 4
‧ Cubs 5, Reds 4
‧ Twins 8, White Sox 6
‧ Tigers 6, Royals 5
‧ Mariners 7, Astros 5
‧ Cardinals 8, Nationals 5
‧ Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 4
‧ Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 3
‧ Rangers 8, Padres 6
‧ Angels 6, Athletics 2
‧ Dodgers 2, Giants 1
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