NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona’s Gerardo Parra tied a career-high with four RBIs as the Diamondbacks closed in on the National League West division title with a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.
The Diamondbacks reduced the magic number — the combined total of their wins and their closest rival’s losses — to seven games to clinch the West division.
Photo: AFP
Arizona, vying for their fifth division crown in the franchise’s 14-year history, have won 17 of their past 20 games to move 24 games over .500, matching their season best.
Diamondbacks starter Joe Saunders (11-12) allowed four hits and walked just one to take the win.
Dodgers starter Ted Lilly (9-14) was charged with three runs in 5-1/3 innings.
NATIONALS 3, METS 2
In New York, Stephen Lombardozzi made his first big league hit and RBI count, driving in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as Washington edged New York.
Opposing starters Ross Detwiler of Washington and R.A. Dickey (8-12) of New York each gave up just one hit through four innings that took just 52 minutes. The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in the fifth with help from Mets third baseman David Wright’s fourth error in three games.
Jayson Werth had three hits for Washington.
Nationals reliever Todd Coffey (5-1) got one out in the sixth for the win, while Drew Storen earned his 35th save in 40 chances.
The Mets have lost five of six.
MARLINS 5, BRAVES 4, 12 INNINGS
In Atlanta, Georgia, Mike Stanton’s single in the 12th inning drove in the go-ahead run that lifted Florida over slumping Atlanta.
The Braves have lost four straight and their once iron grip on the National League wild card is looking increasingly shaky.
Atlanta rookie Anthony Varvaro (0-2) walked John Buck to lead off the 12th. Stanton, held out of the starting lineup because of a strained hamstring, lined a pitch into left field for the tiebreaking hit, which delivered the Marlins’ fourth straight win.
Florida’s Clay Hensley (4-6) pitched two scoreless innings and Leo Nunez worked the 12th for his 35th save, despite the Braves loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth with one out.
Monday’s other results:
‧ Pirates 6, Cardinals 5
‧ Astros 5, Phillies 1
‧ Giants 8, Padres 3
‧ Cubs 12, Reds 8
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, CHICAGO
The Detroit Tigers extended their winning streak to 10 games in the American League by routing the Chicago White Sox 14-4 on Monday.
Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Raburn hit back-to-back homers in the second inning to put the Tigers en route to their first double-figure streak since 1968, when Detroit won the World Series.
Raburn finished the game with four hits and three RBIs, while Peralta added two hits and three RBIs for the first-placed Tigers, who are now 11.5 games clear atop the Central division with only 15 games to go.
Detroit starter Rick Porcello (14-8) coasted to an easy victory, allowing six hits in 6-2/3 innings.
White Sox starter John Danks (6-12) lasted five innings and allowed eight runs.
YANKEES 9, MARINERS 3
In Seattle, Robinson Cano hit a three-run double to help New York defeat Seattle.
Mark Teixeira and Chris Dickerson homered for the Yankees, who increased their lead over Boston in the East division to a season-high four games.
New York starter Phil Hughes (5-5) pitched six strong innings and the lopsided victory meant Yankees closer Mariano Rivera did not need to leave the bullpen for a chance at his 600th career save.
The Yankees did most of their damage against Seattle starter Felix Hernandez (14-12), last year’s Cy Young Award winner. He worked six innings, giving up six runs — one fewer than his season worst.
ATHLETICS 6, ANGELS 3
In Oakland, California, Josh Willingham hit a homer and drove in four runs to help Oakland beat Los Angeles.
Willingham’s three-run shot in the first inning off Joel Pineiro (6-7) started a second straight brief outing for the Angels starter at the Coliseum. Pineiro allowed four runs in three-plus innings as the Angels fell three games behind first-placed Texas in the West division.
A’s starter Gio Gonzalez (13-12) struck out six and gave up two runs in 6-2/3 innings.
Monday’s other result:
‧ Rays 5, Orioles 2
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