NATIONAL LEAGUE
PIRATES 5, CARDINALS 2
PITTSBURGH -- Pinch-hitter Ike Davis launched a tiebreaking, three-run home run off Seth Maness in the eighth inning Tuesday night, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2.
The Pirates won after reigning NL MVP Andrew McCutchen left in the fifth inning because of discomfort in his left ribs. Recently on the disabled list because of a rib problem, the center fielder ran into the wall earlier in the game.
Davis sent a 2-2 pitch from Maness (5-3) deep over the fence in right-center for his ninth home run of the season and his third as a pinch-hitter.
Tony Watson (9-1) couldn't protect an early lead after six-plus dominant innings by starter Gerrit Cole, but picked up the victory. Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 23rd save.
Josh Harrison homered for the Pirates.
Jon Jay and Randal Grichuk picked up RBI for the Cardinals. Lance Lynn gave up two runs over six innings in a bid to win his fourth consecutive start.
Pittsburgh, trying desperately to stay in the hunt for a wild-card slot, appeared in danger of a second consecutive disheartening defeat after a brilliant effort by Cole.
The 23-year-old overwhelmed the Cardinals for long stretches in his second start since returning from the disabled list with right lat soreness. St. Louis didn't get a hit until a two-out double just inside the first base bag by Kolten Wong in the sixth. Cole responded by fanning Matt Holliday for his ninth strikeout of the game.
PHILLIES 4, NATIONALS 3 Freddy Galvis and Darin Ruf homered and Carlos Ruiz drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly to lead Philadelphia to a victory over visiting Washington. Ken Giles (3-1) struck out the side in a scoreless eighth to help the Phillies to their fifth win in six games.
METS 3, BRAVES 2 Juan Lagares hit a two-run home run and ran down one ball after another in center field, sending Dillon Gee and host New York to a victory over Atlanta. Gee outpitched Alex Wood in the opener of a three-game series.
CUBS 3, REDS 0 Travis Wood pitched six innings of two-hit ball against his former team for his first victory in two months, leading visiting Chicago to a victory over Johnny Cueto and Cincinnati. Arismendy Alcantara hit a two-run shot and Anthony Rizzo connected for his 30th home run for the Cubs.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
ROYALS 2, TWINS 1 Alex Gordon hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning, giving Kansas City a victory over visiting Minnesota and helping the Royals avoid their first three-game skid since mid-July. The Royals had been shut down all night by the Twins' Ricky Nolasco, who scattered three hits over seven innings. But after going quietly in the eighth, the AL Central leaders managed to break through against closer Glen Perkins (3-1) in the ninth.
ORIOLES 4, RAYS 2 Jonathan Schoop singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and Caleb Joseph had two RBI as host Baltimore beat fading Tampa Bay. Nelson Cruz had two hits and drove in a run for the AL East-leading Orioles.
TIGERS 5, YANKEES 2 Rick Porcello pitched eight impressive innings, and Detroit snapped visiting New York's five-game winning streak. Porcello (15-8) joined teammate Max Scherzer as the American League's only 15-game winners, allowing two runs and nine hits.
RED SOX 11, BLUE JAYS 7 (11) Mike Napoli and Allen Craig both homered in a seven-run 11th inning, Dustin Pedroia homered and had four RBI, and Boston beat host Toronto. Boston broke away from a 4-all tie for its second consecutive victory.
INDIANS 8, WHITE SOX 6 (10) Zach Walters hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning, lifting visiting Cleveland to a victory over sliding Chicago.
ASTROS 4, ATHLETICS 2 Chris Carter hit his 32nd home run, a three-run drive in the eighth inning that lifted host Houston over Oakland.
Sports on 08/27/2014