MLB roundup: Vazquez’s 3-run HR in 9th lifts Red Sox over Indians

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the associated press

BOSTON — Christian Vazquez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox pulled off the final rally of a wild game Tuesday night, beating the Cleveland Indians 12-10 despite an astonishing catch by center fielder Austin Jackson.

In the fifth inning, Jackson robbed Hanley Ramirez of a leadoff homer with a leaping grab in the right-center triangle at Fenway Park. Jackson reached way above the wall and tumbled head over heels into the Red Sox bullpen, steadying himself by holding onto the fence with his right arm. Following a soft landing, Jackson stood up and showed umpires he indeed had the ball, to the amazement of players on both sides.

A replay review confirmed Jackson held on for the catch.

DODGERS 3, BRAVES 2

ATLANTA — Kenta Maeda allowed only two hits in seven scoreless innings, Cody Bellinger homered and Los Angeles won its ninth straight.

The slumping Braves were shut down by Maeda (10-4) but cut their deficit to one with Johan Camargo’s two-run homer off Josh Ravin in the eighth. Atlanta ended the inning with Brandon Phillips, who had a pinch-hit single, on third base.

Bellinger led off the fourth with his 29th homer into the Braves’ bullpen in right-center off Lucas Sims (0-1).

RAYS 6, ASTROS 4

HOUSTON — Evan Longoria became the second Tampa Bay player to hit for the cycle and drove in three runs to lead the Rays past Houston.

He was a double shy when he came to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning and laced a laser to left field. Longoria dashed to second base and slid in to avoid the tag of Jose Altuve.

He was initially ruled out, but the call was overturned after a crew chief review. Most of the Rays stood up behind the railing of the dugout and cheered as the call was reversed.

TIGERS 4, YANKEES 3

NEW YORK — John Hicks hit a three-run homer in his first big league game in more than a month, Justin Upton added a solo drive off CC Sabathia, and Detroit held on to beat the New York Yankees.

A 27-year-old rookie recalled Monday for his fifth major league stint this season, Hicks drove a slider over the right-center field wall in the second inning, capping a 10-pitch at-bat.

BREWERS 3, CARDINALS 2

MILWAUKEE — Jimmy Nelson finally beat St. Louis with six strong innings, and the Milwaukee Brewers held on for a 3-2 victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Nelson (9-5) entered 0-8 with a 7.01 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) against the Cardinals. This time, the right-hander overcame his division rival by allowing just two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts.

MARLINS 7, NATIONALS 6

MIAMI — Max Scherzer hit his first career homer to help build a six-run lead, but he pitched only one inning before departing with a neck spasm, and Miami rallied to beat Washington.

Scherzer slept funny and left the game as a precaution, the Nationals said.

The Marlins took the lead with a four-run fifth inning. Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run homer off Matt Albers (5-2), and Derek Dietrich’s RBI triple put Miami ahead 7-6.

ROCKIES 5, METS 4

DENVER — Nolan Arenado hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth that lifted Colorado past the New York Mets.

Charlie Blackmon crashed into the center-field fence for an outstanding catch that ended the top of the ninth. In the bottom half, the Rockies took advantage of a misplay by new Mets shortstop Amed Rosario, a touted prospect making his major league debut.

PADRES 3, TWINS 0

SAN DIEGO — Austin Hedges hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning and Jhoulys Chacin combined with two relievers on a three-hitter for San Diego.

The Padres had only two hits and led 1-0 going into the eighth before Hunter Renfroe singled off Alan Busenitz with one out and Hedges homered to right-center, his 14th.

ORIOLES 7, ROYALS 2

BALTIMORE — Dylan Bundy allowed three hits over a career-high eight innings, newcomer Tim Beckham had two hits and scored twice and resurgent Baltimore won its fourth straight.

Seth Smith drove in three runs to help the Orioles move within two games of .500 (52-54) for the first time since July 3.

Kansas City will seek to avoid a three-game sweep on Wednesday. The Royals came to town having won 10 of 11, but they’ve only scored three runs in these two games at Camden Yards.

REDS 9, PIRATES 1

PITTSBURGH — Billy Hamilton hit a three-run homer and tripled, Eugenio Suarez and rookie Jesse Winker also went deep, and Cincinnati overwhelmed Pittsburgh.

Hamilton tripled and scored in the first inning. Then he sent a pitch from Jameson Taillon (6-5) into the right-field seats in the second for his third home run of the season as the last-place Reds beat Pittsburgh again.

BLUE JAYS 8, WHITE SOX 4

CHICAGO — Justin Smoak hit his 31st homer, Josh Donaldson homered and drove in three runs, and Toronto beat Chicago.

Smoak and Donaldson each connected for the second straight night and third time in five games. Donaldson also had a sacrifice fly and RBI double.

Marcus Stroman (10-5) went seven innings, allowing four runs and seven hits. He was winless in his previous three starts despite a 1.89 ERA in that stretch.

CUBS 16, DBACKS 4

CHICAGO — Jon Lester hit his first major league homer and struck out nine to reach 2,000 for his career, helping the Cubs cruise past Arizona.

Anthony Rizzo went deep twice and Ian Happ and Javier Baez also connected as Chicago kicked off a six-game homestand with its 14th win in 17 games since the All-Star break. Rizzo, Baez and Albert Almora Jr. each drove in three runs, and Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras had two RBIs apiece.

MARINERS 8, RANGERS 7

ARLINGTON, Texas — Robinson Cano doubled twice and drove in three runs as Seattle beat Texas.

Cano’s two-run double in the sixth was the 499th of his career, moving him into a time with Rusty Staub for 63rd in MLB history.

Jarrod Dyson had his 200th career steal in the win and threw out a runner from centerfield at third to end the eighth inning in a one-run game. Nelson Cruz homered and Leonys Martin had two hits and two RBIs for Seattle.

GIANTS 10, ATHLETICS 4

OAKLAND, Calif. — Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer and Nick Hundley added a two-run shot to back a stellar start by Jeff Samardzija and lead San Francisco past Oakland.

Brandon Belt homered leading off the fourth inning to help the Giants snap a four-game losing streak. San Francisco’s five runs in the first matched its most in any inning this year, and the three homers also equaled a season high.

ANGELS 7, PHILLIES 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer and a two-run double, and Los Angeles snapped Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak.

Pujols followed up his go-ahead double off Aaron Nola (8-7) in the fifth inning with his 608th career homer in the seventh off reliever Mark Leiter. The slugger’s third homer in two games left him one behind Sammy Sosa for eighth place in major league history.