Carlos Beltran, C.C. Sabathia and the New York Yankees on Sunday took advantage of Matt Harvey’s early exit to beat the sloppy Mets 11-2 to tighten the AL East race just in time for a critical trip to Toronto.
Dustin Ackley hit a three-run homer after Beltran’s go-ahead double and Sabathia (5-9) won for the first time since July 8 as the Yankees took two of three at Citi Field to win both Subway Series this season.
New York, who lead the wild-card playoff standings, moved within two-and-a-half games of first-place Toronto heading into a three-game set beginning yesterday.
Photo: AP
The only bad news for the Bronx Bombers: Masahiro Tanaka will not make his scheduled start in the series because of a strained right hamstring.
Harvey looks fully healthy, but was pulled for Hansel Robles (4-3) after five scoreless innings. The Mets are limiting Harvey’s workload down the stretch, even as they try to close out an NL East championship.
CARDINALS 4, CUBS 3
In Chicago, Cardinals star catcher Yadier Molina exited after spraining his left thumb on a tag and playoff-bound St Louis ended Chicago’s five-game winning streak.
The NL Central-leading Cardinals have already clinched a post-season slot. They are six games ahead of Chicago, who hold the second wild-card playoff spot.
Molina was injured tagging Anthony Rizzo in the eighth. Right fielder Jason Heyward threw out Rizzo on Addison Russell’s no-out bases-loaded fly.
In the ninth, pinch-runner Quintin Berry was thrown out trying to steal second by Molina’s replacement, Tony Cruz. It was the first time Berry had been caught after starting his career with 25 steals over four seasons.
Trevor Rosenthal got his 46th save in 48 chances.
Carlos Martinez (14-7) threw four-hit ball into the seventh.
Cardinals rookies Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty homered. Jon Lester (10-11) took the loss.
In other results, it was:
‧ Mariners 9, Rangers 2
‧ Astros 5, Athletics 1
‧ Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 3
‧ Twins 8, Angels 1
‧ Indians 6, White Sox 3
‧ Royals 10, Tigers 3
‧ Rays 7, Orioles 6
‧ Nationals 13, Marlins 3
‧ Brewers 8, Reds 4
‧ Braves 2, Phillies 1
‧ Pirates 4, Dodgers 3
‧ Giants 5, Diamondbacks 1
‧ Padres 10, Rockies 4
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