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Baseball Capsules


September 12, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) Russell Martin homered twice and drove in four runs against his former team, and the Toronto Blue Jays went deep five times to beat the New York Yankees 11-5 Friday night in the opener of their weekend showdown for first place in the AL East.


Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak each hit a two-run shot in a five-run first inning to build a big lead for David Price. Edwin Encarnacion added a titanic drive after the Blue Jays chased rookie starter Luis Severino in the third.


Seeking its first playoff appearance in 22 years, Toronto increased its division lead to 2 1/2 games over New York. The teams play a rare single-admission doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on Saturday to make up Thursday night's rainout. The four-game series concludes Sunday.


METS 5, BRAVES 1


ATLANTA (AP) - Rookie Steven Matz pitched five strong innings, Yoenis Cespedes had a home run and three RBIs and New York took another step toward a division title with a win over Atlanta.


With Washington losing to Miami 2-1, the Mets lead the NL East by a season-high 8 1/2 games. It was the Mets' fifth straight victory.


Matz allowed one run and six hits as he improved to 3-0 in four career starts and lowered his ERA to 1.88 against an anemic Braves offense that is last in the majors in runs.


Rookie Matt Wisler (5-7) took the loss for the Braves after allowing two runs in five innings. Wisler has lost six straight decisions for the Braves, who have dropped 22 of their last 25 games. Atlanta has lost 10 straight at Turner Field, tying the franchise single-season home losing streak.


MARLINS 2, NATIONALS 1


MIAMI (AP) - NL batting leader Bryce Harper struck out three times and stranded five runners, and fading Washington lost its fourth straight game.


The Nationals out-hit the Marlins 7-5 but went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and their lone run was unearned.


Washington, swept in a three-game series by the Mets earlier this week, began the night 7 1-2 games behind first-place New York in the NL East.


Mike Dunn (2-5) struck out Harper, the only batter he faced, with two on to end the seventh and keep the score 1-all.


J.T. Realmuto led off the bottom of the seventh with a double off Casey Janssen (1-5) and later scored the tie-breaking run on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rojas.


PIRATES 6, BREWERS 3


PITTSBURGH (AP) - Chris Stewart had three hits and three RBIs, and Charlie Morton pitched six strong innings as Pittsburgh ended its seven-game losing streak against Milwaukee.


Stewart hit a two-run single that capped a three-run fourth inning that put the Pirates ahead for good 3-2. The backup catcher, starting for resting Francisco Cervelli, added an RBI single in the sixth.


Stewart tied his career high with his third three-hit game of the season and the fifth of his nine-year career.


Morton (9-7) snapped a three-start losing streak, allowing two runs and three hits while walking two and striking out two.


Mark Melancon struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 45th save in 47 chances.


Jimmy Nelson (11-12) lost for the just the second time in six decisions against the Pirates this season.


CARDINALS 2, REDS 2 (SUSPENDED)


CINCINNATI (AP) - Heavy rain forced the St. Louis at Cincinnati game to be suspended in the top of the eighth inning.


It'll be resumed at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, with the regularly scheduled game to follow.


The teams waited out the 17th rain delay at Great American Ball Park for an hour and seven minutes before it was suspended. It was Cincinnati's first suspended game this season - three have been rained out.


Reds first baseman Joey Votto struck out and walked three times. He received a two-game suspension on Friday for an altercation with umpire Bill Welke on Wednesday, but will keep playing while his appeal is heard.


Rain fell intermittently during the game, then intensified in the eighth inning with the Cardinals batting, prompting the umpires to call for the tarp.


CUBS 5, PHILLIES 1, 1ST GAME


CUBS 7, PHILLIES 3, 2ND GAME


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jake Arrieta pitched eight strong innings for his major league-leading 19th win, and Starlin Castro homered to lead Chicago past Philadelphia in the first game of a doubleheader.


In the second game, Kyle Schwarber homered twice to lead the Cubs in a sweep of the doubleheader.


Arrieta (19-6) won his eighth straight start, allowing six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks to become the first Cubs pitcher to win that many in a row since Milt Pappas won 11 consecutive games in 1972.


ORIOLES 14, ROYALS 8


BALTIMORE (AP) - Nolan Reimold and Steve Clevenger both hit grand slams during a 10-run eighth inning, and Baltimore beat Kansas City for its third straight victory.


Baltimore trailed 6-4 in the eighth before a double, an error and an infield hit loaded the bases for Reimold, who lined a 2-0 pitch from Kelvin Herrera (4-3) high off the left-field foul pole.


Manny Machado followed with a solo shot off Franklin Morales. After Adam Jones singled, Morales hit slugger Chris Davis in the back with a pitch. Davis slammed down his bat, breaking it in two, as Orioles manager Buck Showalter sprinted out of the dugout.


No one else emerged from the either dugout during the potentially volatile situation, although Davis glared at Morales while taking his base. Showalter, meanwhile, was ejected from the game for arguing.


Morales lasted one more batter before being replaced by Joba Chamberlain, who yielded Clevenger's slam. Clevenger entered the game earlier in the inning as a pinch hitter.


TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 2


CHICAGO (AP) - Trevor Plouffe hit a pair of solo homers, including a tiebreaking shot in the eighth, to lead Minnesota over Chicago.


Eduardo Escobar added a solo shot in the Twins' three-run ninth as Minnesota remained one game behind Texas for the second American League wild card.


Ervin Santana came through with his third straight strong start, allowing two runs, on Adam Eaton's 13th homer in the fifth, through seven innings, while scattering six hits and striking out six. In his last three outings, Santana (5-4) has allowed just three earned runs in 22 innings and struck out 27.


Plouffe's second homer, came off Nate Jones (1-2), the second Chicago reliever, and gave the Twins infielder his third career multi-homer game.


RAYS 8, RED SOX 4


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Asdrubal Cabrera and J.P. Arencibia hit two-run homers in a five-run eighth inning and Tampa Bay beat Boston.


After Logan Forsythe had an RBI single, Cabrera made it 6-4 on his drive to center off Junichi Tazawa (2-7). Arencibia then gave Tampa Bay an 8-4 lead with his fifth homer in 34 at-bats since being called up Triple-A Durham on Aug. 26.


Andrew Bellatti (3-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win.


Boston slugger David Ortiz remained two homers shy of becoming the 27th player to reach 500. He had an RBI double and a single in four at-bats. He was also intentionally walked.


Enny Romero replaced starter Chris Archer with two on and no outs in the sixth and gave up a run-scoring double to Travis Shaw and Pablo Sandoval's RBI infield single that tied it at 3. Ryan Hanigan gave Boston a 4-3 lead with a sacrifice fly off Brandon Gomes.


RANGERS 4, ATHLETICS 0


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Colby Lewis took a perfect game into the eighth inning before settling for a two-hitter, leading Texas past Oakland.


Lewis, who was 0-3 with an 8.62 ERA in his previous three starts, got a standing ovation from the home crowd after Danny Valencia's double down the left-field line to start the eighth.


The 36-year-old right-hander (15-8) needed just 97 pitches to set a career best in wins, beating his previous high of 14 from the second of two straight World Series seasons for the Rangers in 2011.


Mitch Moreland snapped an 18-inning scoreless streak for Texas with a two-run double in a three-run first inning off Oakland starter Jesse Chavez (7-15).


Valencia reached third on a flyout by Billy Butler in the eighth, but Lewis struck out Muncy to keep the shutout intact.


DIAMONDBACKS 12, DODGERS 4


PHOENIX (AP) - Welington Castillo, Paul Goldschmidt and Nick Ahmed homered for the Diamondbacks, who cruised to a victory over the Dodgers.


Ahmed went 4 for 4 with three RBIs, including two doubles and two runs scored. The Diamondbacks won for the third time in four games, with four pitchers combining to hold the Dodgers to four hits.


The last of the four hits was a grand slam by Justin Ruggiano in the top of the ninth inning with two outs.


Castillo's towering drive far over the wall in left-center gave Arizona 3-0 lead, and Chris Owings' triple drove in Phil Gosselin with the fourth run of the inning off Dodgers starter Alex Wood.


Wood (10-10) lasted only 1 2-3 innings, allowing six runs and eight hits in his shortest outing since coming to the Dodgers in a trade on July 30.


Robbie Ray (4-11) shut out the Dodgers for five innings for his first win since July 7.


ROCKIES 4, MARINERS 2.


SEATTLE (AP) - Dustin Garneau snapped a scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the seventh and Chad Bettis pitched three-hit ball over seven innings, leading the Rockies over the Mariners.


Bettis (7-5), making his fourth start since coming off the disabled list, struck out six and walked three.


The Rockies had just three hits through six innings before breaking through against Hisashi Iwakuma (7-4). After DJ LeMahiue grounded out, Justin Morneau and Ben Paulsen had consecutive singles. Garneau then ripped the first pitch over the left-field wall for his second homer, snapping a streak of 24 1-3 scoreless innings by Seattle pitchers.


ANGELS 3, ASTROS 2


ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Angels parlayed a fielding error by Houston pitcher Dallas Keuchel into three unearned runs in the second inning and went on to beat the AL West-leading Astros, reducing their deficit to 4 1-2 games.


Jered Weaver (7-10) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings en route to his 138th career victory, which tied Nolan Ryan for second place on the Angels' career list behind Chuck Finley's 165.


Keuchel (17-7) gave up five hits through six innings, struck out seven and walked two. The left-hander, who last year became the first Astros pitcher ever to win a Gold Glove, committed his first error in 62 chances this season and the Angels turned it into a three-run second inning.


GIANTS 9, PADRES 1


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Jake Peavy allowed two hits over seven innings, Marlon Byrd had three hits and drove in a run and the Giants beat the Padres.


Matt Duffy had two hits and drove in two runs for the Giants, who have won four of six following a seven-game losing streak.


The Giants, who left 10 men on base, picked up ground on the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time since Aug. 21, moving 7 1-2 games back.


Peavy (6-6) did not walk a batter and struck out two.


Andrew Cashner (5-15) gave up five runs and nine hits over 4 2-3 innings.

LEADING OFF: Stroman returns, Fernandez great at home


September 12, 2015


A look at what's happening around the major leagues today:


EAST BEASTS


The Blue Jays and Yankees continue a pivotal AL East series with a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. In Game 2, Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman will make his season debut after having surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee in March. New York will be without first baseman Mark Teixeira, who will miss the rest of the season because of a broken right leg.


HOME, SWEET HOME


Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez, returning from a right biceps strain that has sidelined him since Aug. 7, will try to become only the third pitcher since 1914 to win his first 16 career home decisions. Fernandez (4-0, 2.30 ERA) is 15-0 at Marlins Park with a 1.14 ERA. He has made just seven starts this year since returning from Tommy John surgery. RHP Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.41) starts for the Nationals.


.500 DAYS IN SUMMER?


The Indians are a win shy of .500 (69-70) for the first time since they were 2-2 in early April. They will try to even up their record against the Tigers after the teams were rained out on Friday. Cody Anderson (3-3, 3.72) goes against Justin Verlander (3-7, 3.34), who is 2-3 with a 1.27 ERA in his last six starts.


SURGING SOX


The disappointing Red Sox still have a realistic shot to finish third in the AL East and could help their cause during a three-game set at Tampa Bay this weekend. Boston's Rick Porcello (7-12, 5.12) has been dominant since coming off the disabled list following a bout with right triceps inflammation, a big turnaround for the offseason trade acquisition who signed a four-year extension in April.


HANGING IN


The struggling Angels, trying to stay alive in the AL West, play the middle game in a key three-game series against the first-place Astros. Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.24) goes for Los Angeles. The All-Star had lost five straight decisions before going six innings in a 7-0 win over Texas his last time out. Rookie Lance McCullers (5-5, 3.07) will pitch for Houston.

Preview: Cardinals (88-52) at Reds (58-81)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: September 12, 2015 1:05 PM EDT

Extra rest didn't seem to do Lance Lynn any good his last time out, but maybe a bit of a pause will help St. Louis figure out the Cincinnati pitching staff.


The Cardinals and Reds will pick up Friday's 2-2 game in the top of the eighth inning Saturday before moving on to the third of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.


Rain suspended the game in the bottom of the eighth with St. Louis' Pete Kozma on first with no outs and a 2-for-4 Yadier Molina at the plate.


"We've got the leadoff runner on, and we'll see where it goes from there," manager Mike Matheny said.


Including the suspended game, the Cardinals (88-52) have scored 11 runs with a .189 batting average in their last seven against the Reds (58-81), going 2-4 in those completed. They're also averaging 2.4 runs in their last nine overall, going 2-6 thus far.


The Cardinals enter four games up on Pittsburgh in the NL Central, and winning both games would get them to 90 wins for the third straight season. They last accomplished that from 2000-02.


Joey Votto played while appealing his two-game suspension for his home-plate tantrum Wednesday. He's walked three times in the suspended game, bumping his on-base percentage to .571 in 53 games since the All-Star break - 102 points higher than next-best Bryce Harper.


Brandon Phillips is 2 for 4 and batting .375 over his last 14.


In Monday's 9-0 home loss to the Chicago Cubs, Lynn (11-9, 3.12 ERA) surrendered six runs and seven hits in 2 1-3 innings to bump his ERA over three for the first time in three months. The right-hander, who's still 53 2-3 innings shy of his career-high 203 2-3 logged last season, hadn't pitched since Aug. 29.


Control has been a greater concern over his last eight starts with 4.65 walks per nine innings after posting a 2.80 mark through 18 starts.


"I was having trouble getting people out from the get-go," Lynn told MLB's official website. "I just didn't have any command. The ball was all over the place. Early on, I was all over the zone, and when I started making pitches, they were already locked in and I couldn't do anything about it. I have to be better early on."


In his last four starts against the Reds, Lynn is 2-2 with a 1.61 ERA and .168 opponent batting average. Jay Bruce, however, is 14 for 28 with three home runs, two triples and a double off Lynn, and Votto is 9 for 18.


Anthony DeSclafani has thrived in limited action against St. Louis, winning both of his starts and posting a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings over three total appearances. DeSclafani (8-10, 3.75 ERA) has Yadier Molina and Kolten Wong hitless in six at-bats each, but Brandon Moss (4 for 9 with a home run) and Randal Grichuk (3 for 5) have had some success.


The 25-year-old has also been good lately, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last three starts. He held Pittsburgh to a run and seven hits in 7 1-3 innings of Monday's 3-1 win to earn the decision in his second-longest outing this season. He said execution on a secondary pitch made it possible.


"The difference-maker for me these last few games was the curveball," DeSclafani said. "It's probably the best it's been all year these last few games. It's kind of been the equalizer for me."


Wong has been out of the lineup for five straight games due to a slight tear in his left calf.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cardinals at Reds
Thu, Sep 10 Final 0 to 11
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cardinals at Reds
Fri, Sep 11 - 7:10PM EDT ( SUSPENDED )
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Cardinals at Reds
Sat, Sep 12 - 1:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Cardinals at Reds
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

Preview: Blue Jays (80-60) at Yankees (77-62)
Game: 3
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: September 12, 2015 4:35 PM EDT

A blowout loss to start a key series against the Toronto Blue Jays was bad news for the New York Yankees. The worse news was losing their cleanup hitter for the rest of the season.


The Yankees continue their postseason push without Mark Teixeira on Saturday as they play a doubleheader against the AL East-leading Blue Jays.


The Yankees trail Toronto by 2 1/2 games after opening this four-game set with Friday night's 11-5 loss, their third straight.


The Blue Jays, trying to reach the playoffs for the first time in 22 years, won their fifth in a row in the Bronx for the first time since 2003. Russell Martin led the charge, going 3 for 5 with two home runs against his former team.


'We definitely feed off one another, for sure. It's just our lineup, it just has a lot of depth,' Martin said. 'I don't think the opposing pitchers feel like they have any breathing room out there.'


New York (77-62) also lost Teixeira's 31 home runs and 79 RBIs out of the middle of its lineup after tests revealed it is a broken right leg that has hampered him for nearly four weeks.


'You can't really put into words how disappointed I am,' said Teixeira, who was initially diagnosed with a deep bone bruise after fouling a ball off his shin Aug. 17. 'I feel like this team has a chance to win a World Series. I really do. And not to be able to be on the field during that run is really tough to take.'


The Yankees have hit fine without Teixeira, though, posting an MLB-high 6.69 runs per game since Aug. 27. They remain atop the wild-card standings, though their lead was cut to 3 1/2 games with Texas' 4-0 win Friday.


Manager Joe Girardi has reason to worry about his pitching staff, which used five relievers for the final 6 2-3 innings of the opener. Girardi announced after the game he will throw Michael Pineda in Game 1 with Ivan Nova to follow in the twin bill, which was scheduled to make up for Thursday's rainout.


"It's not ideal for your pitching," Girardi told MLB's official website. "It just changes your flexibility in a sense."


Pineda (10-8, 4.15 ERA) has struggled with a 1-3 record and 6.11 ERA in his last five starts. The right-hander allowed four or more runs in four of those outings, including four in six innings of an 8-6 New York victory over Baltimore on Monday.


Pineda is 2-2 with a 3.22 ERA in seven starts against Toronto, and he is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two Yankees' wins over the Blue Jays this season.


Toronto (80-60) counters with Marco Estrada, who is 1-2 against the Yankees this year despite a 3.18 ERA.


Estrada (12-8, 3.18) has held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 13 of his last 15 starts. Carlos Beltran is 5 for 19 with three home runs against the right-hander.


Marcus Stroman will make his first start since last September for the Blue Jays in the second game after landing on the 60-day disabled list with a torn ACL in April. The righty was originally expected to miss the entire season.


Stroman went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 26 appearances - 20 starts - during his 2014 rookie season, including a 2-1 mark and 2.55 ERA in three starts against the Yankees.


Nova (6-7, 4.50) snapped a three-start losing streak by allowing three runs over six innings to beat the Rays 6-4 on Sunday. The right-hander will make his 100th career start.


He is 5-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 11 starts against the Blue Jays, recording a loss and a win against them in consecutive outings in August while posting a 5.11 ERA.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Blue Jays at Yankees
Thu, Sep 10 - 7:05PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps


GAME 2
Blue Jays at Yankees
Fri, Sep 11 Final 11 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Blue Jays at Yankees
Sat, Sep 12 - 4:35PM EDT


GAME 4
Blue Jays at Yankees
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:05PM EDT

Preview: Royals (83-57) at Orioles (68-72)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 12, 2015 1:05 PM EDT

Ned Yost says mixing up his rotation in mid-September isn't a sign that he's changing his postseason plans. It also doesn't have anything to do with Johnny Cueto's health issues. It's about getting Cueto - and his team - back on track.


With Yordano Ventura inserted into the struggling Cueto's spot Saturday, the visiting Royals look to end their own skid while continuing an already heated series against the Baltimore Orioles.


The Royals (83-57) are 3-7 in September and their latest loss was a wild one in Friday night's opener. Baltimore (68-72) rallied for a 14-8 victory with a 10-run eighth in which Nolan Reimold and Steve Clevenger hit grand slams and Manny Machado added a solo shot.


Baltimore joined seven other teams with two grand slams in an inning, and the Orioles are the only team to do it twice (1986). Four of those clubs added a third home run in the same inning, most recently the New York Mets in 2006.


After homers from Reimold and Machado and a single from Adam Jones, Franklin Morales hit Chris Davis in the back with a pitch, prompting the Orioles slugger to turn away from the mound and shatter his bat on the ground. Davis glared at Morales before taking his base, and manager Buck Showalter was subsequently ejected.


"We hit a grand slam, another home run, a couple rockets," Davis said. "It just didn't look right, regardless of whether it was on purpose or not."


Kansas City has lost six of seven, but it still holds a comfortable 10-game lead in the AL Central.


Cueto was scheduled to start Saturday but chose to switch to Sunday's night contest when given the option by Yost. The right-hander is 2-5 with a 4.86 ERA since getting traded from Cincinnati and has lost each of his last four starts.


"It's all about getting him comfortable and getting him going in a good direction," Yost told MLB's official website. "Yordano was OK with it. He doesn't care."


That's probably because Ventura (10-8, 4.34 ERA) has hardly lost since July. He did have a hiccup in Monday's 6-2 defeat against Minnesota, allowing four runs in 5 1-3 innings, but that was the right-hander's only loss in his last nine starts.


In his last six outings, Ventura is 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 37 1-3 innings.


Ventura has dominated the Orioles in three starts over the last two years, holding them to two runs in 20 1-3 innings for an ERA of 0.89. He picked up the win in a 5-3 victory Aug. 27, allowing two hits in six scoreless innings while striking out a career high-tying 11.


Baltimore starter Chris Tillman took the loss in that game, allowing nine hits and four runs in six innings. Tillman (9-11, 5.15) is suffering through his second four-start losing streak this season and will try to avoid dropping five consecutive outings for the first time in his seven-year career.


The right-hander's 8.19 ERA since Aug. 11 is the MLB's highest of qualifying pitchers, and he has coughed up 16 hits and 13 runs in 7 2-3 innings during blowout losses to Tampa Bay and Toronto his last two times out.


Tillman is 2-3 with a 6.17 ERA against the Royals in six career starts.


Mike Moustakas and Kendrys Morales are each 5 for 11 against Tillman, while Alex Gordon is 3 for 13 with two home runs.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Royals at Orioles
Fri, Sep 11 Final 8 to 14
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Royals at Orioles
Sat, Sep 12 - 1:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Royals at Orioles
Sun, Sep 13 - 8:05PM EDT

Preview: Red Sox (66-74) at Rays (69-71)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: September 12, 2015 6:10 PM EDT

While David Ortiz is closing in on a milestone home run, Asdrubal Cabrera and Evan Longoria are hitting the ball hard for the Tampa Bay Rays.


The duo looks to continue its hot stretch as the Rays face the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.


Ortiz leads last-place Boston (66-74) with 32 homers and is two shy of becoming the 27th player to reach 500.


Cabrera and Longoria, meanwhile, are trying to help the Rays (69-71) reduce a five-game deficit to Texas for the AL's second wild-card spot.


Cabrera is hitting .400 with two homers and seven RBIs over his last six games, while Longoria has a .378 average with five homers and 11 RBIs in the past 10.


They combined for four hits, three RBIs and three runs Friday while Longoria's leadoff double sparked a five-run eighth that included a two-run homer by Cabrera in an 8-4 win over the Red Sox.


They're both pounding Boston with Longoria batting .396 with three homers, seven doubles and 12 runs during a 12-game hitting streak. Cabrera has a seven-game string during which he has a .483 average.


Matt Moore (1-3, 8.04 ERA) is facing the Red Sox for the first time since being tagged for six runs and nine hits in three innings of an 11-7 road defeat Aug. 1, prompting a demotion to Triple-A Durham.


The left-hander returned in strong fashion last Saturday, allowing two runs while being limited to 79 pitches in 4 2-3 innings of a 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium.


"I thought he was outstanding. I was happy for him. In my opinion, he looked like a different guy," manager Kevin Cash said. "That was a definite bright spot, to see where he is right now."


Moore is 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA in five starts against Boston.


The Red Sox will counter with Rick Porcello (7-12, 5.12), who's 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA while completing at least seven innings in all three starts since returning from a strained triceps that sidelined him for nearly a month.


The right-hander was solid again Monday, allowing three earned runs in 7 1-3 innings of an 11-4 win over AL East-leading Toronto.


"What's really impressive is how he's come back since he's come off the disabled list. It's the length of his outings, it's the easy, quick innings that's allowing him to throw into the seventh, eighth inning," interim manager Torey Lovullo told MLB's official website.


"Fastball command, movement of his two-seam fastball, location of his two-seam fastball, confidence in all of his pitches, and he worked hard to get to that point. He deserves so much credit for what's going on."


Porcello gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings of a 4-3 win in 10 at Tampa Bay on June 26 after winning his two previous matchups behind 16 scoreless innings.


Ortiz may not have homered Friday, but he had an RBI double and a single. He's batting .381 with six homers and 15 RBIs in the past 13 games, and he's 6 for 15 with one homer against Moore.


Mookie Betts, who is facing Moore for the first time, has a .379 average during a career-high 16-game hitting streak.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Red Sox at Rays
Fri, Sep 11 Final 4 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Red Sox at Rays
Sat, Sep 12 - 6:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Red Sox at Rays
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

Preview: Cubs (82-58) at Phillies (54-88)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 12, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Chicago Cubs continue to show just how good they've been since being embarrassed by the lowly Philadelphia Phillies in July.


Looking to build on a doubleheader sweep of the Phillies, the Cubs can secure a win of this four-game road series Saturday night.


Chicago (82-58) was outscored 21-8, recorded 15 hits and was no-hit by Cole Hamels during a three-game home sweep by Philadelphia from July 24-26. However, the Cubs are 31-12 since that series after totaling 22 hits and outscoring the Phillies 12-4 to take both games Friday.


"That's a good hitting team," Game 1 loser Adam Morgan said of the Cubs, who have 70 home runs in the last 43 games.


With a firm grasp of the NL's second wild-card spot and two games behind Pittsburgh for the top position, Chicago has clinched its first winning season since 2009.


Kris Bryant went 5 for 10 with a homer and four RBIs on the day and Kyle Schwarber homered in his first two at-bats in the nightcap. Bryant's 90 RBIs are a club rookie record and by far the most from a rookie in the majors this year.


'It just shows, when there's people on base he becomes an even better hitter,' manager Joe Maddon said. 'You get guys with that mentality, it makes all the difference in the world.'


Dan Haren (9-9, 3.73 ERA) went 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA in his first six starts since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline, then pitched seven innings in Monday's 9-0 win at St. Louis. It marked the first time in 10 starts that he didn't allow any of his major league-leading 30 home runs.


"It feels good to go deep in a game like that," said Haren, who pitched into the seventh one other time with Chicago.


The right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Phillies this year.


Ryan Howard and Freddy Galvis are each 3 for 7 with two home runs against Haren in 2015. Howard, though, is 1 for 35 with nine strikeouts in his last nine games after recording that hit in Friday's second contest.


'It happens to the best of them," manager Pete Mackanin said. "We're just hoping he's going to get hot again.'


Jerad Eickhoff (1-3, 4.70) posted a 2.84 ERA in his first three career starts with Philadelphia, then dropped his third in a row after allowing six runs and eight hits in four innings of Sunday's 6-2 loss at Boston.


"I'm as stubborn as they come," Eickhoff told MLB's official website. "And I want to come up here, and no matter how bad it's looking or how bad it is, I want to go out there for my team and try to get as deep as I can."


The right-hander expects to learn and grow from the worst outing of his young career.


"I think it's a good reference point for sure," Eickhoff said.


He could face Starlin Castro, who is 9 for 16 with two home runs and five RBIs in his last five contests. He's hitting .364 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 17 career games at Philadelphia.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cubs at Phillies
Thu, Sep 10 - Final 7 to 1
Recaps


GAME 2
Cubs at Phillies
Fri, Sep 11 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 3
Cubs at Phillies
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Cubs at Phillies
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:35PM EDT

Preview: Brewers (62-79) at Pirates (84-56)
Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: September 12, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Pittsburgh's inexplicable losing streak to one of the NL's worst teams is over, so all of its attention can again be focused on tracking down baseball's best.


The Pirates host the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night, and another win could get them as close as 2 1/2 games to NL Central-leading St. Louis.


Prior to Friday's 6-3 win over the Brewers (62-79), the Pirates (84-56) had dropped seven straight and nine of 10 in the series to a team that's 17-24 against the rest of the division.


"Regardless of who we're playing, we have to win," Charlie Morton said. "We're a good team. We can beat anybody and we've just got to win."


St. Louis will finish a suspended game before its scheduled contest in Cincinnati, so the Pirates could pick up 1 1/2 games in the standings. They were last within 2 1/2 games at the All-Star break.


Since being swept in three games in Milwaukee to begin the month, Pittsburgh's rotation has gotten it together with a 1.69 ERA over a 5-3 span. It's up to Jeff Locke to keep that going.


Locke (7-10, 4.56 ERA) has dropped consecutive starts and made it through at least six innings only once in his last nine, going 2-4 with a 5.79 ERA. The left-hander improved some in Monday's 3-1 loss in Cincinnati, allowing three runs - one earned - and four hits with six strikeouts in five-plus innings. A two-error second inning made his pitch count jump, and his manager was happy with the individual effort.


"I thought (Locke) pitched a very aggressive ballgame ... probably some of his better swing-and-miss stuff that we've seen in a while," Clint Hurdle said. "It was a very good outing."


Prior to that, Locke surrendered five runs and nine hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 9-4 loss in Milwaukee on Sept. 2 for his second straight defeat in the series. Jean Segura (10 for 29) and Ryan Braun (9 for 28) have homered off him, but Khris Davis is 4 for 21 with seven strikeouts.


He'll be opposed by Zach Davies.


Davies (1-0, 3.97) earned his first major league win in Monday's 9-1 win in Miami, giving up a run and four hits in seven innings without issuing a walk. The right-hander had control issues five days prior in his debut against Pittsburgh, surrendering four runs and four hits with three walks in 4 1-3 innings of a 9-4 home win. What's remained consistent is support with 14 runs in 11 1-3 innings.


"The offense took care of it," Davies said. "It gets you comfortable, makes you stay in the zone a little bit more, because you don't want to be wasting pitches and wasting time out there when the lead is like that."


Milwaukee has dropped four of six following a six-game winning streak that included the sweep of the Pirates and now finds itself on the doorstep of 80 losses for a third straight season. That's been a forgone conclusion for some time, but the Brewers have pushed it back some by going a respectable 18-16 dating to Aug. 4. Their 4.9 runs per game in that time ranks fourth in the NL behind the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Washington.


The last three have come without Jonathan Lucroy due to a concussion, and he's not expected to play Saturday.


Pittsburgh's Starling Marte (left shoulder discomfort) was held out of the starting lineup Friday after being hit by a pitch Thursday.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Brewers at Pirates
Thu, Sep 10 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores


GAME 2
Brewers at Pirates
Fri, Sep 11 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Pirates
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Brewers at Pirates
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:35PM EDT

Preview: Twins (73-67) at White Sox (66-73)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: September 12, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Trying to keep the pressure on in the playoff race, the Minnesota Twins appear to be giving the ball to the right pitcher as their series continues at U.S. Cellular Field.


Tommy Milone can earn a fourth straight victory against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night and help the Twins move closer to a wild-card spot with their 15th win in 21 games.


Minnesota (73-67) seemed to be fading from the postseason chase during a 9-21 stretch that left it four games back of the AL's second wild-card spot on Aug. 19.


After putting up a 5.68 ERA over that span, the Twins have turned things around by posting a 3.61 mark while winning 14 of 20 to get back within one game of Texas.


They'll try to continue that push following Friday's 6-2 victory in the opener of this three-game series. Minnesota has a 2.59 ERA in winning 11 of the past 14 against the White Sox (66-73).


Ervin Santana went seven strong innings and Trevor Plouffe went 3 for 5 with two home runs. Plouffe, who had batted .150 over his previous 13 games, is hitting .355 in his last 28 versus Chicago.


"I'm just trying to have good at-bats," he said. "I was just able to hit a few balls out of the park."


Milone has allowed two runs over 20 2-3 innings to win each of his three starts in the season series. He's also 4-0 with a 1.39 ERA in seven meetings dating to his time with Oakland.


Since returning from a sprained elbow Aug. 16, Milone (8-4, 3.54 ERA) is 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA in five starts and also had a save at Baltimore on Aug. 23. He went seven innings in a second straight start Monday, giving up two runs in a 6-2 win at Kansas City.


"I'm feeling pretty strong right now, and I'm hoping to keep it up," he told MLB's official website.


Adam Eaton is 0 for 7 versus the left-hander in 2015, while Melky Cabrera is 0 for 8 and Gordon Beckham 1 for 8. Tyler Flowers and Alexei Ramirez are a combined 4 for 31 lifetime against him.


Chicago had batted .292 with 11 homers while averaging 6.3 runs during a 5-2 stretch before totaling just six hits in the opener. Eaton provided all the scoring with his 13th home run.


After posting a 4.97 ERA over a five-start stretch, Jose Quintana (8-10, 3.60) got back on track last Saturday when he scattered seven hits over seven scoreless innings in a 6-1 win at Kansas City. He'll try to help the White Sox avoid their third straight loss and 10th in 15 home games.


"He just competes," Beckham said. "That's what you want out there as a pitcher."


Quintana will make his third start versus Minnesota this season. He had been 3-1 with a 1.81 ERA over his previous seven meetings before giving up seven runs over six innings in an 8-1 loss May 24.


Brian Dozier hit one of his two home runs in that contest off Quintana, but he's hitting just .194 with two longballs in 31 career at-bats. Eduardo Escobar, who hit his 10th homer Friday, has gone 1 for 15 with five strikeouts in the matchup.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Twins at White Sox
Fri, Sep 11 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Twins at White Sox
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Twins at White Sox
Sun, Sep 13 - 2:10PM EDT

SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Tigers at Indians
Thu, Sep 10 Final 5 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Tigers at Indians
Fri, Sep 11 - 7:10PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps


GAME 3
Tigers at Indians
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Tigers at Indians
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

Preview: Mets (80-61) at Braves (56-86)
Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 12, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Perhaps the biggest reason the New York Mets are pulling away in the NL East is the acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes, who is gaining strong consideration for NL MVP.


Cespedes looks to continue his torrid pace and lead the Mets to a sixth straight win Saturday night against the Atlanta Braves, losers of 10 straight at home.


In search of a big bat at the July 31 trade deadline, New York (80-61) landed Cespedes in a deal with Detroit.


He's delivering in the biggest way possible, batting .313 with 39 RBIs while his 15 homers are the most by any player in his first 38 games with the Mets.


New York is 27-11 with Cespedes in the lineup, and 7-2 in a nine-game span during which he's hit .405 with six homers and 14 RBIs.


Cespedes went 3 for 5 with a two-run homer and an RBI double in Friday's 5-1 win over Atlanta (56-86), adding to the hype of him becoming the first Met to be named NL MVP.


"It is not about me, it is about the team," Cespedes said through a translator. "I am one part of the team. To be producing, and seeing the team winning, and everybody chipping in for one purpose. That is to play in the playoffs and hopefully we can bring the big trophy to the city."


The Mets are on their way to getting that chance, opening a season-high 8 1/2-game lead over struggling Washington.


"We have 21 left," manager Terry Collins said. "We have to go out and play the games. We have to win games. I'll be happy when we have an 8 1/2-game lead with eight to play."


Collins will also be happy if Noah Syndergaard (8-6, 3.31 ERA) can get back on track. The rookie right-hander, who had his last turn in the rotation skipped, is 2-1 with a 5.53 ERA in his last five starts. However, he's averaging 9.43 strikeouts per nine innings, nearly identical to his 9.36 mark over his previous seven games, during which he went 4-1 with a 1.44 ERA.


His recent issues, however, are leading to speculation that he could be moved to the bullpen for the playoffs.


Syndergaard allowed four runs in four innings of a 6-4 loss at Atlanta on June 20.


He'll face a Braves team that has lost 22 of 25 overall and 10 straight at home for the first time since dropping the 1987 finale and the first nine the following season. It's also tied for their single-season record set in 1977.


'You get mad and upset when there is a lack of effort, lack of hustle and we don't have that,' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. 'We're going through some growing pains.'


Williams Perez (5-6, 5.42) has a chance to win consecutive starts for the first time since June 15 and 20.


The rookie right-hander followed those two victories by going 0-6 with an 8.85 ERA in eight starts before allowing two runs with seven strikeouts in seven innings of Monday's 7-2 win at Philadelphia.


"For once all my pitches were working, and I was locating," Perez said through an interpreter. "I felt really good out there."


Perez allowed four runs and solo homers to Curtis Granderson and Travis d'Arnaud in six innings opposite Syndergaard on June 20.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Mets at Braves
Thu, Sep 10 Final 7 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Mets at Braves
Fri, Sep 11 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mets at Braves
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Mets at Braves
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:35PM EDT

Preview: Nationals (71-69) at Marlins (60-81)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: September 12, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

With little to play for, at least the Miami Marlins can look forward to the return of Jose Fernandez.


Making his first start in a little more than a month, the oft-injured ace tries to remain undefeated at home and help hand the visiting Washington Nationals a fifth consecutive defeat Saturday night.


Fernandez (4-0, 2.30 ERA) made seven starts since returning from elbow surgery July 2, then landed on the disabled list with a biceps strain Aug. 11. The 23-year-old last pitched in the majors Aug. 7, when he allowed two runs and struck out six in five innings of a 6-3 loss at Atlanta.


Fully recovered and fresh from a successful bullpen session Wednesday, the right-hander appears ready to help Miami (60-81) try for a fourth straight victory and ninth in the last 11.


"It looks like all systems are go there for him to get ready to toe the rubber and pitch against the Nationals," manager Dan Jennings told MLB's official website.


Fernandez, 15-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 24 starts at Marlins Park, can join Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82) as the only pitchers to win their first 16 career decisions at home.


"Every step along the way is a test," Jennings added. "Once he passes one test, he moves to the next. He's passed (the bullpen), the next one will be Saturday against the Nats."


Fernandez has aced his four previous tests against Washington (71-69), going 2-0 with an 0.69 ERA in all at home. He overcame four walks to yield a run in six innings of a 4-1 victory over the Nationals on July 28.


Washington held a one-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East after that contest but now trails them by a season-high 8 1/2 games.


"It's not over yet,' left-hander Gio Gonzalez said. 'Things change - a lucky rabbit's foot or something comes through. We're going to stay positive most of the time. We still have a lot of fight in us.'


Bryce Harper is 1 for 6 with three strikeouts and walked three times in nine plate appearances against Fernandez.


The Washington star leads the NL with a .334 average but fanned three times and stranded five runners during Friday's 2-1 loss. Harper's three hits during Wednesday's 5-3 defeat to the Mets are the only ones he's recorded in his last 15 at-bats.


'Bryce has had a fantastic year for us,' manager Matt Williams said. 'We'll try to give him those opportunities again.'


Back in the Nationals rotation after Joe Ross was sent to the bullpen, Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.41) takes the mound after he allowed a run in 4 1-3 innings of last Friday's 5-2, 10-inning win over Atlanta in his first start since June 28. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 5.21 ERA in seven starts this season.


Making his first start opposite the Marlins in 2015, Roark is 2-1 with 2.39 ERA in four against them.


Miami's Dee Gordon ranks among the major league leaders with a .328 average, and is batting .370 in 13 games against Washington this year.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Nationals at Marlins
Fri, Sep 11 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Nationals at Marlins
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Nationals at Marlins
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

Preview: Athletics (60-81) at Rangers (74-66)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: September 12, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Texas could be emerging from a terrible offensive funk, and it might just be passing it down the line to Oakland.


A night after Colby Lewis flirted with perfection, Yovani Gallardo will try to keep a nice personal unbeaten run going as the Rangers and Athletics meet Saturday in Arlington.


After being shut out in consecutive games with a total of five hits, the Rangers (74-66) opened the three-game series and a 10-game homestand with Friday's 4-0 win, limiting the A's (60-81) to two hits and ending a five-game skid in the series.


Texas still hasn't had a double-digit hit performance over a 5-4 span while batting .182, and Adrian Beltre is in a 3-for-30 slump. The club's six home runs in the last 12 games are more than only Atlanta, and a little more power might help the Rangers track down Houston or shake Minnesota.


The Astros lead the AL West by 1 1/2 games, while the Twins are a game off the Rangers' pace for the second wild card.


Gallardo (12-9, 3.16 ERA) is 5-0 in his last nine starts, though he hasn't made it through more than six innings in that time. The right-hander earned the decision in Monday's 3-0 win at Seattle after giving up five hits over 5 1-3 innings for his third scoreless start in his last four.


"I felt good," Gallardo told MLB's official website. "My last start in San Diego, I was struggling with the command of my fastball and I worked on that between starts trying to find a good rhythm. I was able to do that and move the ball on both sides of the plate."


In four career starts against the A's, including three this season, Gallardo is 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA, though he didn't factor into the decision in a 5-4 loss at Oakland on June 10 after giving up two runs and five hits with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.


Stephen Vogt is 3 for 6 with a homer and two doubles off Gallardo, but Danny Valencia (0 for 6) and Billy Butler (0 for 5 with four strikeouts) have struggled.


The A's, who just started a 10-game trip, have lost seven of nine this month, but it's been mostly their pitching shouldering the blame with an 8.06 ERA out of the rotation. Sean Nolin is making his second career start for Oakland.


Nolin's major league debut in Sunday's 3-2 home loss to Seattle was promising before a three-run fifth, and the 25-year-old gave up five hits with three walks in six innings.


"I thought he threw the ball really well," manager Bob Melvin said. "Kept them off-balance, really not too many good swings, it was just the two walks that ended up costing him some runs."


The left-hander, who was part of the Josh Donaldson deal in the offseason, didn't go beyond 4 2-3 innings in his last four starts with Triple-A Nashville and only appeared in 14 games this season because of two injuries. His 85 pitches was his highest total since throwing 102 on June 27 before missing nearly two months.


"That's the deepest I've been in a game for a while," Nolin said. "I was definitely happy about it. I'm physically feeling good."


Oakland's Billy Burns missed Friday's game due to right hamstring tightness. Manager Bob Melvin said there was no timetable for Vogt's return after the catcher was hit in the groin by a foul tip Sunday but he could DH.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Athletics at Rangers
Fri, Sep 11 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Rangers
Sat, Sep 12 - 8:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Athletics at Rangers
Sun, Sep 13 - 3:05PM EDT

Preview: Dodgers (80-60) at Diamondbacks (68-73)
Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: September 12, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

With a sizable lead in the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers will simply move on from one of their more forgettable performances of the season.


They can successfully do so by avoiding a third straight loss Saturday night on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks.


Los Angeles (80-60) won five straight and 13 of 15 before falling 3-2 to the Angels on Wednesday. The Dodgers, however, never had much of a chance to bounce back Friday after Arizona (68-73) scored 10 runs in the first two innings en route to a 12-4 victory.


Owners of a 7 1/2-game division lead over San Francisco, the Dodgers won't dwell on their worst defeat since falling 15-2 to the New York Mets on July 25.


"Chalk it up to just one of those nights," losing pitcher Alex Wood said.


Los Angeles had won nine of the previous 10 against the Diamondbacks, who got four hits and three RBIs from shortstop Nick Ahmed and a two-run homer from Paul Goldschmidt to win for the third time in four contests.


After Arizona tagged Wood for eight runs in 1 2-3 innings, former Diamondback Mike Bolsinger (6-3, 2.97 ERA) takes the mound in his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City last week. The right-hander gave up three runs on two homers in five innings of an 8-4 win at San Diego last Friday.


Auditioning for a chance to be part of Los Angeles' possible postseason roster, Bolsinger is just happy to be back in the majors.


"Whatever they want me to do, I will do it,' he said.


Bolsinger has been sharp in two starts againsT the Diamondbacks this season, going 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA and striking out 12 in 11 innings.


Goldschmidt is 0 for 4 with two strikeouts off Bolsinger, but is batting .400 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 13 games against the Dodgers this season.


The light-hitting Ahmed is batting .435 with two homers, four doubles, two triples and six RBIs in seven games this month.


Rubby De La Rosa (12-7, 4.49) looks to turn things around after posting a 6.19 ERA while losing two of his last three starts. The right-hander has yielded four of his 29 home runs in those contests, including a solo shot and two other runs in five innings of Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.


'Just a couple mistakes, try to work on it, try to move on,' he said.


De La Rosa, who broke into the majors with the Dodgers in 2011, has looked even worse while giving up five home runs in going 0-2 with a 9.19 ERA in three starts against his former club this year.


Andre Ethier is 4 for 7 with a homer against him. Adrian Gonzalez, however, is 1 for 8 when facing De La Rosa.


Justin Ruggiano has never matched up with De La Rosa and is batting .171 against right-handers this season but could find his way into the lineup after hitting a grand slam Friday for his third home run his last four games.


He's 6 for 12 with 10 RBIs in his past five contests.


It's uncertain if Dodgers utility man Alex Guerrero will be available after straining a calf muscle Friday.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Fri, Sep 11 Final 4 to 12
Boxscores


GAME 2
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Sat, Sep 12 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Sun, Sep 13 - 4:10PM EDT

Preview: Astros (76-65) at Angels (71-69)
Game: 2
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: September 12, 2015 9:05 PM EDT

Lance McCullers has one lonely win since the beginning of July, but the Houston Astros' right-hander has the right opponent in front of him to change that.


McCullers' only victory in his last eight starts came against the Los Angeles Angels and he'll try to replicate that result Saturday night.


The Angels (71-69) pulled to within 4 1/2 games of the AL West-leading Astros (76-65) with Friday's 3-2 series-opening win. Texas is 1 1/2 back of Houston and three games ahead of Los Angeles for the second wild card.


Jered Weaver pitched six strong innings to beat Houston ace Dallas Keuchel.


'It's obviously an important series, and the only way we get these guys where we need them is to beat them,' Weaver said. 'We don't have to scoreboard watch when they're on our field, so it's a big win. Hopefully we can take another two out of this series and make things pretty interesting.'


The teams finish the season series - which the Astros lead 8-6 - with three games in Houston from Sept. 21-23.


McCullers (5-5, 3.07 ERA) has had little luck helping the Astros lengthen their division lead with a 1-3 record and 4.15 ERA since July 5. His only win during the span came from a 6-3 victory over the Angels on July 29 in which the right-hander allowed one run in seven innings. He has a 1.38 ERA in two career starts against the division foe.


Since allowing six runs while recording just one out in a 12-9 loss at Texas on Aug. 3, McCullers has logged three straight quality starts. He has a 2.70 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 20 innings in those games.


Los Angeles counters with Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.24), who had lost five straight decisions before allowing one hit over six innings and working around a career high-tying six walks in a 7-0 win over the Rangers on Sunday.


He escaped jams with inning-ending double plays in the first two innings.


'For some reason, I pitch better with guys on base and I bear down,' said Santiago, who made it through five innings for the first time since Aug. 16. 'I needed this one for sure, where I can show that I can still get guys out even if I put them on base.'


Santiago is 0-2 with a 4.38 ERA against the Astros in five career starts, but he has pitched well against them in two this year. He has limited Houston to three hits and one run - a Domingo Santana home run - in 12 1-3 innings.


Jose Altuve became the fastest player in Astros history to reach 800 hits with his first-inning double Friday, his 647th major league game. Cesar Cedeno held the previous mark at 707 games.


Los Angeles' Kole Calhoun is batting .410 with three homers, eight RBIs and 10 runs in nine games this month.


Teammate Mike Trout, though, is batting .195 in 12 games this season against Houston.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Astros at Angels
Fri, Sep 11 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Astros at Angels
Sat, Sep 12 - 9:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Astros at Angels
Sun, Sep 13 - 3:35PM EDT

Preview: Padres (67-75) at Giants (73-68)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: September 12, 2015 9:05 PM EDT

Madison Bumgarner has a chance to match his career high in wins and get closer to becoming the first member of the San Francisco Giants to reach 20 in 22 years.


The left-hander can also register a seven-game home winning streak Saturday night against the San Diego Padres.


Bumgarner (17-7, 3.05 ERA) is one win shy of equaling his career high from last year and is also nearing 20, a feat that hasn't been accomplished by a Giants pitcher since John Burkett and Bill Swift in 1993.


He has won six of his last seven starts behind a 2.13 ERA but labored through six innings while yielding four runs and nine hits in Sunday's 7-4 victory at Colorado.


"When you're not having maybe your best game and you still find a way to win, that's definitely a big plus for you and something you can feel good about," Bumgarner said.


He should feel great about his performances at home, compiling a 1.42 ERA while winning six straight starts for the first time since setting a personal best with an eight-game run bridging 2011-12.


Bumgarner is 1-0 while allowing two runs with 20 strikeouts in 14 2-3 innings over two home meetings with San Diego.


The Giants (73-68) have won four of six following a seven-game slide. They've taken nine of the past 12 matchups with San Diego (67-75) after opening this three-game series with a 9-1 victory Friday.


The Padres turn to Ian Kennedy (8-13, 3.99), who is trying to bounce back from one of his worst performances of the season. The right-hander surrendered six runs - four earned - and a solo homer to opposing starter Kyle Kendrick in five innings of a 6-4 loss to Colorado on Monday.


"It's the worst feeling giving up a home run to a pitcher," said Kennedy, who had a 1.72 ERA while splitting four decisions over his five previous starts.


Kennedy is trying to win on the road for the first time since beating Oakland on June 18. He's 0-6 with a 3.30 ERA in seven starts since, receiving seven total runs of support.


The Padres didn't inspire much confidence with six hits Friday, giving them 14 while being outscored 25-5 during a three-game slide to the Giants.


The offense wasn't the only problem for Kennedy at San Francisco on June 24, as he surrendered six runs - one earned - with four walks in six innings of a 6-0 loss.


He beat the Giants at home July 20, yielding two runs in six innings of a 4-2 victory. He's 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA in four overall matchups this year.


Kennedy has allowed Marlon Byrd to go 3 for 10 with two homers off him over the past three years. The right fielder enters 11 for 21 over the past five games after getting three hits and an RBI on Friday.


He's hitting .385 with two homers and 12 RBIs in seven home games since being acquired from Cincinnati on Aug. 20.


Buster Posey, who is batting .488 in the past 12 games, will try to tee off on Kennedy again. Posey is 17 for 43 while hitting a grand slam off him June 24. He's compiled a .419 average with 13 RBIs in his last nine home meetings with the Padres, losers of 13 of 19.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Padres at Giants
Fri, Sep 11 Final 1 to 9
Boxscores


GAME 2
Padres at Giants
Sat, Sep 12 - 9:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Padres at Giants
Sun, Sep 13 - 4:05PM EDT

Preview: Rockies (59-82) at Mariners (68-74)
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: September 12, 2015 9:10 PM EDT

With three of the majors' top five home run hitters on the field, a power outage seemed unlikely in the series opener between the Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners.


After an unlikely source provided a decisive homer, the Rockies will try to win three straight road games for the first time since late May on Saturday night at Safeco Field.


Colorado's Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez are engaged in a friendly fight for the NL home run crown. Arenado has a league-leading 38, while Gonzalez has 37.


Arenado, who had homered in eight of his previous 11 games, went 1 for 5 in Friday's 4-2 win and is just 2 for 17 over his last four against the Mariners. Gonzalez has a MLB-high 24 homers since the All-Star break, but he went hitless to drop his average to .192 in 21 games versus Seattle.


While the big sluggers were kept in the yard, Dustin Garneau snapped a scoreless tie with a three-run homer that put the Rockies ahead in the seventh inning. His second home run in as many games also ended a streak of 24 1-3 scoreless innings by Seattle pitchers.


The rookie catcher is finally getting an opportunity after seven years in the minors with Michael McKenry and Nick Hundley sidelined due to injury.


"It was a little front-door cutter," said Garneau. "He got me my at-bat before where I popped out to the catcher. So, I took a chance and luckily I got my barrel to it."


Seattle's Nelson Cruz had homered in three straight games and nine of 16 at Safeco. The power surge moved him within one of Baltimore's Chris Davis for the MLB lead with a career high-tying 40 before he went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in the opener.


Kyle Seager hit the team's lone home run in the eighth. He's batting .455 with six longballs and 16 RBIs over his last 14 and .393 with three homers in his previous seven versus Colorado.


"It was a pitch up and in the zone a little bit, something I could hit and fortunately it worked out," said Seager.


The Mariners (68-74) won five in a row to get within six games of the AL's second wild-card spot before dropping three of the first five on this 10-game homestand.


They'll try to get back on track behind Roenis Elias (4-8, 4.30 ERA), who has allowed one home run in four appearances since returning from a seven-week stint at Triple-A Tacoma.


The left-hander, who has never faced the NL West-worst Rockies, looks to snap a personal four-game losing streak after giving up two runs over 5 1-3 innings in Monday's 3-0 home loss to Texas.


Colorado (59-82), which ended a five-game skid versus Seattle, has gone 6-25 against left-handed starters.


Yohan Flande (3-2, 4.65) also has struggled with consistency since joining the Rockies' rotation in late July. He went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his first two starts, but has a 5.63 mark over his last six.


The left-hander is looking to regroup after allowing a career-high six runs over 4 1-3 innings in Sunday's 7-4 home loss to San Francisco. He worked one scoreless inning of relief against the Mariners on Aug. 5 when he picked up the win in a 7-5 victory at Coors Field.


Seattle's Franklin Gutierrez could start for the first time in nine games due to a strained groin, while Colorado's Jose Reyes is expected back after sitting Friday with a tight Achilles.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rockies at Mariners
Fri, Sep 11 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rockies at Mariners
Sat, Sep 12 - 9:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Rockies at Mariners
Sun, Sep 13 - 4:10PM EDT