Chicago pitcher Jon Lester continued his long dominance of Philadelphia by throwing eight scoreless innings and guiding the Cubs to a 6-4 win at the Phillies on Monday, pushing their lead in the National League Central division into double figures.
In the American League, Baltimore leapfrogged Boston to the top of the AL East division by beating a faltering Kansas City, while Texas bolstered their lead in the West by edging state rival Houston and Cleveland’s winning streak hit six with victory over Seattle.
Lester improved to 6-0 in eight career starts against the Phillies while lowering his earned run average against them to a miserly 1.46 per nine innings. He struck out nine and walked none.
Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY
Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer for the Cubs, who won their 11th in 13 games while extending their best start since 1900 to a major league-leading 40-16.
Philadelphia scored all its runs in the ninth against Chicago’s bullpen, but slipped to a ninth loss in 11 games.
Baltimore’s Mike Wright put in a sparkling pitching performance to steer the Orioles to a 4-1 win against Kansas City, who have lost five in a row.
Wright was demoted to the minor leagues last week, but recalled the following day when reliever Darren O’Day went on the disabled list. He allowed one run over seven innings.
Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters hit solo homers in the seventh inning for the Orioles, who have won five of six, all in come-from-behind fashion.
Texas’ Rougned Odor hit a game-ending double to lift the Rangers over Houston 6-5.
Odor, who earlier homered and had a sacrifice fly, drove in the winning run with an opposite-field shot that ricocheted off the left-field wall, allowing Adrian Beltre to score from first base.
The Rangers are 7-0 against the Astros this season and have won 11 in row at home against their AL West rivals.
Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer pitched 7-1/3 strong innings to lead the Indians past Seattle 3-1.
Bauer gave up one run and one walk while striking out 10 to earn his first victory in four weeks.
Rajai Davis homered for the Indians, whose six game streak is their longest this year and boosted their lead in the AL Central to 2.5 games.
The Mariners have dropped four straight.
Detroit rookie Michael Fulmer pitched six scoreless innings in another outstanding performance as the Tigers thumped Toronto 10-0.
Fulmer has won four consecutive starts. He struck out five in his third straight start without allowing a run.
James McCann hit a three-run homer to open the scoring in the second inning and Justin Upton added a two-run shot in the third for the Tigers, who have won four on the trot.
Colorado’s Tyler Chatwood pitched eight strong innings to guide the Rockies to a 6-1 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who managed only one hit.
New York’s Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Yankees to a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Tampa Bay’s Desmond Jennings had three hits, including a home run, as the Rays defeated Arizona 6-4.
San Diego’s Yangervis Solarte hit a three-run homer to give the Padres a 7-2 win against Atlanta.
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