The Rangers moved within a half-game of American League West leaders Houston, when Prince Fielder hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning to lead Texas to a 5-3 win over the Astros on Monday in the opener of a four-game series.
Mitch Moreland hit his team-leading 20th home run for Texas, who have won four straight against the Astros and lead the season series 9-4.
Fielder’s homer came on 3-2 pitching from Will Harris (5-4). He had two hits and scored three times.
Photo: AFP
Keone Kela (7-5) got the win, retiring one of two batters, and Shawn Tolleson earned his 32nd save in 34 attempts.
The Astros’ Jose Altuve hit Cole Hamels’ sixth pitch of the game for his 12th homer of the year.
METS 4, MARLINS 3
David Wright had a go-ahead double in the seventh inning and Yoenis Cespedes homered again as the Mets won their eighth straight, beating the Marlins.
With two outs and runners on first and second, David Wright hit a fastball from reliever Kyle Barraclough (2-1) to the deepest part of the park, well over the head of scrambling center fielder Christian Yelich, for a ground-rule double — scoring pinch-runner Eric Young Jr and giving the Mets a 4-3 lead.
Travis d’Arnaud also homered for New York. Cespedes connected for the ninth time in 13 games.
Hansel Robles (4-2) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win. Jeurys Famila was perfect in the ninth for his 41st save in 46 opportunities.
Logan Verrett, starting in place of Matt Harvey, who was skipped in the rotation to limit his innings, pitched one-run ball for five.
YANKEES 4, RAYS 1
Alex Rodriguez had a tying, two-out RBI double in the ninth and Slade Heathcott followed with a three-run homer, leading the Yankees to a victory over the Rays.
The victory moved the Yankees within three games of AL East-leading Toronto.
Erasmo Ramirez held the Yankees hitless until Carlos Beltran led off the eighth with a hot shot that took a short-hop off first baseman Richie Shaffer and went into right field.
Tampa Bay stopped a 21-inning scoring drought and took a 1-0 lead on Logan Forsythe’s eighth-inning RBI double.
The Yankees rallied in the ninth. Down to their last out, Brett Gardner was walked by Brad Boxberger (4-10) on four pitches and stole second. Then Rodriguez tied Craig Biggio for 21st place all-time with his 3,060th hit.
Heathcott homered after Brian McCann was intentionally walked, setting off a raucous celebration in the New York dugout.
INDIANS 8, ROYALS 3
Carlos Carrasco overcame a home run on his first pitch of the game to throw six strong innings, and Lonnie Chisenhall drove in three runs as the Indians beat the Royals.
Carrasco (13-10) let Alex Gordon hit his first pitch deep into the seats in right field, but that was the only run he allowed. The right-hander, who struck out nine, was making his second start since coming off the injury list with a sore right shoulder.
Lonnie Chisenhall drove in three runs for the Indians, who entered play trailing Texas by 4-1/2 games for the AL’s second wild-card spot. Cleveland, who have won 13 of 18, also got back to the .500 mark (71-71).
Edinson Volquez (13-8) allowed four runs in five innings for Kansas City, who have lost eight of 10, while Gordon was four for five.
DODGERS 4, ROCKIES 1
Clayton Kershaw won his ninth straight decision, Justin Turner hit a tiebreaking double and rookie Scott Schebler homered to lead the Dodgers to a victory over the Rockies.
The Dodgers, beginning a 10-game homestand following a 7-3 road trip, won for the 16th time in 20 games. They reduced their magic number to 12 for clinching their second straight NL West title.
Kershaw (14-6) yielded a run and three hits over seven innings and struck out five, raising his MLB-leading strikeout total to a career-high 264 and lowering his ERA to 2.12. The reigning NL MVP and three-time Cy Young Award winner has not lost since June 27 at Miami.
Kershaw is 9-0 with a 2.48 ERA in his last 10 starts against the Rockies, including a no-hitter. His last loss to them was on July 12, 2013.
In other games, it was:
‧ Padres 10, Diamondbacks 3
‧ White Sox 8, Athletics 7
‧ Orioles 2, Red Sox 0
‧ Twins 7, Tigers 1
‧ Nationals 8, Phillies 7
‧ Mariners 10, Angels 1
‧ Giants 5, Reds 3
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