Mayfield homer lifts Angels past Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jack Mayfield hit a three-run homer and Andrew Heaney finished seven innings for his longest start of the season, leading Los Angeles past Minnesota, 3-2, after the Twins traded away All-Star slugger Nelson Cruz.
Heaney (6-7) gave up just four hits, two walks and two runs with seven strikeouts, the left-hander’s most effective appearance in six weeks. Heaney fell behind 2-0 in the fourth on an RBI double by Willians Astudillo and a run-scoring groundout from Gilberto Celestino, but Mayfield picked him up with his big hit in the following inning.
Twins starter Kenta Maeda (4-4) took the loss.
Raisel Iglesias picked up his 20th save with a perfect ninth inning.
BRAVES 7, PHILLIES 2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit his first career grand slam, Orlando Arcia added a solo shot and Atlanta beat Philadelphia to inch closer in the NL East race.
Charlie Morton (9-4) allowed two earned runs over six innings and struck out eight in his latest strong start.
With the victory, the Braves — winners of the last three NL East titles — closed within four games of the idle New York Mets and tied Philadelphia for second place at 47-48.
Atlanta did most of its offensive damage against Phillies starter Matt Moore, who allowed six earned runs in six innings.
Morton cruised for most of the night before stumbling a bit in the seventh when Didi Gregorius hit a leadoff triple and Odubel Herrera followed with an RBI double. Luke Jackson replaced Morton and got two outs before allowing Jean Segura’s RBI single.
The Braves added a run in the ninth when Austin Riley drew a bases-loaded walk off Mauricio Llovera.
CARDINALS 3, CUBS 2
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kwang Hyun-Kim earned his fifth straight win on his 34th birthday and St. Louis beat Chicago.
Nolan Arenado and Dylan Carlson homered as the Cardinals improved to a game over .500 at 49-48.
Kim (6-5) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in six innings. His last loss came in the second game of the doubleheader on June 20.
Alex Reyes pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 23rd save.
Adbert Alzolay (4-10) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks, with eight strikeouts in six innings. He is winless in his last seven starts.
Jake Marisnick hit a two-run double to right-center field in the fourth inning for the Cubs.
TIGERS 7, RANGERS 5
DETROIT (AP) — Eric Haase hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Detroit extended its winning streak to a season-best seven games with a four-game sweep of Texas.
Zack Short and Victor Reyes also homered for the Tigers.
Texas has lost nine straight, equaling its longest slide this season. David Dahl and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each drove in two runs for the Rangers.
Kyle Funkhouser (4-0) gave up one run in two innings. Starter Tyler Alexander allowed one run on three hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Gregory Soto got the last three outs for his 11th save and third in as many days.
Texas starter Mike Foltynewicz (2-10) surrendered six runs, five earned, on five hits in four innings.
PADRES 3, MARLINS 2
MIAMI (AP) — Blake Snell allowed one run in six-plus innings, Jurickson Profar had two hits and two RBIs, and San Diego beat Miami.
The Padres left-hander scattered three hits, struck out eight and walked three in his longest outing since June 4. Snell (4-3) had not gone past four innings in his two previous starts.
Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out three times and was hitless in four at-bats. He walked in the fifth, stole his NL-leading 23rd base and eventually scored on Manny Machado’s sacrifice fly.
Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth for his major-league best 29th save in 33 chances.
San Diego scored early on Profar’s RBI fielder’s choice in the second. He increased the Padres’ lead in the fourth with his run-scoring single against Miami reliever Jordan Holloway (2-3).
The Marlins were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. The Padres were 2 for 13.