Last year’s American League champion received more pitching reinforcements, as Max Scherzer came back from the injured list and did something special along the way. And as for the team that lost the most games in the Majors two years ago, that club is now in first of their own division.
Blue Jays lose in Scherzer’s return
The Phillies hit three home runs, and Jesús Luzardo struck out eight over 5.2 IP to secure Philadelphia a 7-4 victory in Toronto.
It was Max Scherzer‘s return from the IL, and he struck out Kyle Schwarber to start off the game and pick up his 3,500th career strikeout. However, despite a three-run seventh that cut the Phillies’ lead to three, it wasn’t that close of a contest.
Bryce Harper took Scherzer deep in the first. Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber tallied home runs, too, in what was a 10-hit night for the Phillies.
Cardinals blow out Mets again
The Cardinals routed the Mets 9-2, the second straight night that St. Louis had a lopsided victory. Over the first two games of their series with New York, the Cardinals have outscored the Mets 16-2.
David Peterson, who came out of the bullpen to work in bulk relief, gave up six earned runs over 3.2 IP. Nelson Velazquez and Jordan Walker took Peterson deep. Walker’s home run gave him 17 on the season.
Andre Pallante struck out five over six innings in a quality start for the righty. Pallante gave up just two earned runs.
Rays become first AL team to 40
Tampa Bay defeated the Red Sox 7-5 to become the first American League team to reach 40 victories this season.
Drew Rasmussen was excellent, as he struck out 13 over seven scoreless innings. Boston was able to tally four runs in the eighth off Cole Sulser and Steven Matz to cut Tampa’s lead to one. However, Cedric Mullins homered in the eighth to give the Rays insurance.
Caleb Durbin hit two home runs.
White Sox move to first in AL Central
Thanks to six shutout innings from Davis Martin, the White Sox were able to defeat the Braves 2-1. And, that victory gave the club sole possession of first in the American League Central.
The Sox were able to move into first after the Yankees completed a sweep of the Guardians. The Yankees won 8-4 over Cleveland to complete the two teams’ season series.
Everything else
- Rays def. Red Sox 7-5
- Giants def. Nationals 11-10
- Padres def. Reds 5-4
- Orioles def. Mariners 7-2
- Pirates def. Dodgers 9-8
- Twins def. Tigers 6-4
- Marlins def. Diamondbacks 8-0
- Rangers def. Royals 6-4
- Rockies def. Cubs 3-2
- Athletics def. Brewers 4-3
- Angels def. Astros 3-2 (10)
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