Indians, Jays rally in final at-bat...Chisox dump Cubs...Rangers, Astros fall

UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Indians put together a three-run ninth to maintain their 5 ½-game lead in the AL Central and trim the Washington Nationals' lead in the NL East to four games over Miami. Jonathan Papelbon blew a 6-4 lead in the ninth before Francisco Lindor (lihn-DOHR') poked an RBI single off Oliver Perez to give the Indians a 7-6 triumph over the Nats. The Tigers kept pace with Cleveland by outlasting Boston 9-8, and the Marlins were 5-0 winners against Philadelphia.

UNDATED (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays staged a three-run rally in the bottom of the 12th to pull within two games of the AL East-leading Orioles. Devon Travis scored the winning run on a wild pitch as the Jays pulled out a 7-6 triumph over San Diego. Colorado prevented Chris Tillman from getting his major league-leading 15th win by tagging him for six runs over five innings of a 6-3 triumph at Baltimore.

UNDATED (AP) — The Chicago Cubs' lead in the NL Central is down to 6 ½ games over St. Louis after the Cubbies lost to the White Sox for the second straight night while the Cardinals split a doubleheader with the Mets. James Shields pitched a gem to lead the Pale Hose to a 3-0 victory, limiting the Cubs to four hits while walking four over 7 2/3 innings. Jedd Gyorko (JUR'-koh) homered in both ends of the Cardinals' twinbill, but the Redbirds dropped the nightcap 3-1 after earning a 3-2 victory in Game 1.

UNDATED (AP) — The Giants remain 2 ½ games ahead of the second-place Dodgers in the NL West after pitcher Matt Cain belted a three-run homer in San Francisco's 9-7 win against Cincinnati. San Francisco won despite surrendering four home runs, two by Adam Duvall. Los Angeles kept pace as Bud Norris tossed two-hit ball over 6 1/3 shutout innings to lead a 3-2 victory against Tampa Bay.

UNDATED (AP) — The Rangers continue to head the AL West by 3 ½ games over the Astros after both teams lost on Tuesday. Homers by Marcus Semien, Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick powered Oakland past Texas 6-3. The Yankees picked up their third straight win as Aaron Hicks lined a two-run triple and Chase Headley drove in a pair to support CC Sabathia (sah-BATH'-ee-uh) in a 6-3 victory at Houston.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Related topics