MLB roundup: Pavin Smith blasts 3 HRs in Diamondbacks’ win

Pavin Smith’s breakout performance highlighted an exciting day in Major League Baseball as the Arizona Diamondbacks salvaged a 12-6 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday night. Smith homered in each of his first three at-bats, driving in a career-high eight RBIs to lead the Diamondbacks (80-64) to victory. His powerful performance included a three-run homer in the second inning and a grand slam in the third off veteran starter Justin Verlander (3-6), followed by a solo shot in the fifth inning off reliever Kaleb Ort.

Verlander, unable to find his rhythm, surrendered eight runs on eight hits over just three innings of work. He failed to record a strikeout for the first time in over a decade and dropped to 0-4 with a bloated 9.68 ERA in four starts since returning from a neck injury.

Dodgers 4, Guardians 0: Ohtani’s Milestone as Dodgers Dominate

Shohei Ohtani’s two-way prowess was on display again as he launched his 46th home run of the season, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Cleveland Guardians 4-0. Ohtani, who is now just four homers and four steals away from becoming MLB’s first 50-50 player, continued his historic campaign. Jack Flaherty contributed 7 1/3 scoreless innings to secure the victory.

Max Muncy added to the offense with a solo homer, while Will Smith’s RBI single gave the Dodgers a crucial lead in the fourth inning. Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (11-7) pitched five strong innings but couldn’t overcome the Dodgers’ well-rounded attack. The Dodgers’ win extends their division lead over the Padres to six games.

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Rays 2, Orioles 0: DeLuca Homers, Littell Shines

Jonny DeLuca’s two-run homer was all the offense Tampa Bay needed as Zack Littell and four relievers combined for a five-hit shutout, blanking the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Littell (6-9) threw five innings of three-hit ball while striking out four, and the Rays bullpen preserved the win with strong performances from Richard Lovelady, Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger, and Edwin Uceta.

Baltimore’s ace Corbin Burnes (13-8) allowed seven hits over six innings but was outdueled on a night when the Orioles’ bats struggled to produce. Gunnar Henderson collected three of the team’s five hits, but the Orioles couldn’t break through against the Rays’ pitching staff.

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Braves 4, Blue Jays 3 (11 innings): Murphy’s Walk-Off Grounder Secures Win

Sean Murphy’s infield grounder in the 11th inning allowed the Atlanta Braves to rally past the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in an extra-inning thriller. After George Springer had given the Blue Jays a lead with an RBI single in the top of the 11th, Atlanta answered swiftly. Michael Harris II, the automatic runner, scored from third after an error by third baseman Addison Barger. Murphy’s grounder to second then brought in the winning run.

Raisel Iglesias (5-1) earned the win after a two-inning effort, allowing just one run while striking out two. Zach Pop (1-4) was charged with the loss for the Blue Jays.

Royals 2, Twins 0: Wacha Dominates in Milestone Victory

Michael Wacha notched his 100th career win, pitching seven shutout innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 2-0 victory and a weekend sweep of the Minnesota Twins. Wacha (12-7) allowed just four hits while striking out seven, marking his 17th quality start in his last 19 appearances. Kansas City’s two runs came courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Garrett Hampson and an infield hit by Salvador Perez.

Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4) pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, but Minnesota’s offense struggled again, mustering just five hits. It was the 10th time this season the Twins were shut out and the third time in their last nine games.

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White Sox 7, Red Sox 2: Chicago Explodes in the Ninth

A five-run ninth inning lifted the Chicago White Sox to a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox, avoiding a series sweep. Chicago (33-111) broke open a tied game with five hits off Boston reliever Zack Kelly (6-3). Fraser Ellard (2-2) earned the win in relief after Chris Flexen, starting for the White Sox, pitched six solid innings, allowing just two runs on a pair of solo homers.

Boston’s Connor Wong (3-for-4) and Wilyer Abreu (2-for-4) each homered, but it wasn’t enough to fend off Chicago’s late-inning outburst. The White Sox had lost 20 consecutive starts by Flexen before Sunday’s victory.

Marlins 10, Phillies 1: Norby, Cabrera Lead Miami Blowout

Connor Norby homered twice, and Edward Cabrera pitched seven scoreless innings as the Miami Marlins dismantled the Philadelphia Phillies 10-1. Norby, a midseason acquisition, continued his torrid hitting with two two-run shots. Cabrera (4-6) flirted with a no-hitter into the fifth inning, allowing just three hits while striking out six.

Rookie center fielder Javier Sanoja, making his first MLB start, collected two hits, including an RBI single. Phillies starter Seth Johnson struggled in his major league debut, surrendering nine runs in just 2 1/3 innings.

Pirates 7, Nationals 3: Bart Homers, Jones Dominates for Pittsburgh

Joey Bart hit a two-run homer, and rookie Jared Jones struck out nine across seven strong innings, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. Bart’s blast, along with solo shots from Andrew McCutchen and Michael A. Taylor, helped Pittsburgh (67-76) bounce back after a doubleheader sweep on Saturday.

Jones (6-7) allowed just two runs on four hits in his stellar outing. For Washington (64-79), CJ Abrams homered, but the Nationals managed just five hits in total.

Rockies 4, Brewers 1: Hilliard Powers Colorado to Series Win

Sam Hilliard’s three-run homer and Kyle Freeland’s strong six-inning performance lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Hilliard’s fifth-inning blast proved decisive, breaking open a tie game and putting the Rockies up for good. Freeland (5-7) was sharp, allowing just three singles while retiring the last 14 batters he faced.

Freddy Peralta (10-8) took the loss for Milwaukee, giving up three runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Reds 3, Mets 1: Espinal’s Double Snaps New York’s Streak

Santiago Espinal’s two-run double in the ninth inning propelled the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-1 victory, snapping the New York Mets’ nine-game winning streak. Cincinnati’s Noelvi Marte tied the game with a bloop single in the seventh, setting the stage for Espinal’s late-game heroics.

Julian Aguiar, making his major league debut for the Reds, allowed just two hits over 4 2/3 innings, while Alexis Diaz earned his 26th save of the season.

Cubs 2, Yankees 1: Taillon Shines, Paredes Delivers

Jameson Taillon delivered six strong innings as the Chicago Cubs avoided a three-game sweep, beating the New York Yankees 2-1. Taillon (10-8) allowed one run on six hits, striking out six. Isaac Paredes provided all the offense Chicago needed with two RBIs.

Yankees starter Gerrit Cole (6-4) took the loss despite pitching well on his 34th birthday, allowing two unearned runs across six innings. New York managed just one run on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s sacrifice fly.

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Rangers 7, Angels 4: Semien, Lowe Lead Texas Past Los Angeles

Marcus Semien, Nathaniel Lowe, and Ezequiel Duran homered to power the Texas Rangers to a 7-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels, taking the finale of a four-game series. Starter Andrew Heaney (5-13) struck out eight over six innings to notch his first win since July.

Charles Leblanc hit a three-run homer for the Angels, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a shaky start from Caden Dana (1-1), who allowed five runs in just one inning of work.

Mariners 10, Cardinals 4: Arozarena, Polanco Power Seattle Past St. Louis

Randy Arozarena and Jorge Polanco each hit two-run home runs as the Seattle Mariners secured a 10-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Seattle’s offense erupted, with contributions from Luke Raley and Mitch Garver, while Luis Castillo allowed just two runs over three innings before leaving with an injury.

Jose Fermin and Jordan Walker drove in two runs apiece for the Cardinals, but the Mariners’ offense proved too much as they claimed their fourth win in five games.

Tigers 9, Athletics 1: Sweeney’s Big Day Fuels Detroit

Trey Sweeney’s four-hit game and Parker Meadows’ clutch two-run double led the Detroit Tigers to a 9-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. Sweeney’s breakout day helped the Tigers break open the game with a six-run eighth inning.

Oakland’s Zack Gelof collected two hits, including an RBI single, but the Athletics couldn’t overcome Detroit’s late offensive surge. Ty Madden (1-0) earned his first career MLB win with five strong innings in relief.

Giants 7, Padres 6: San Francisco Outslugs San Diego

The San Francisco Giants erupted for six runs in the fourth inning, fueled by homers from Matt Chapman, Jerar Encarnacion, and Luis Matos, en route to a narrow 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres. Erik Miller (4-5) got the win in relief as Joe Musgrove (5-5) was knocked out early after giving up six runs.

The Giants’ offense broke through after Musgrove dominated for three innings, while Chapman’s two-run blast started the fourth-inning barrage that sealed the win.