IN VAIN: Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) hits a three run home run against the Guardians during the seventh inning. REUTERS PHOTO
IVAN Herrera hit a three-run homer and scored twice as the St. Louis Cardinals held off the visiting Cleveland Guardians for a 6-5 win on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).
However, the Guardians still clinched the American League Central. Their magic number was one coming into Saturday’s action, and the second-place Kansas City Royals’ loss to the San Francisco Giants earlier in the day was enough to get the job done.
Jordan Walker hit a two-run shot for the Cardinals, who won for the fourth time in their past six games.
Jose Ramirez hit a three-run homer and Bo Naylor smacked a solo shot for the Guardians.
In other games, it was the Reds 7, Pirates 1; Nationals 5, Cubs 1; Tigers 6, Orioles 4 (10 innings); Mets 6, Phillies 3; Braves 6, Marlins 2; Rays 3, Blue Jays 2; Giants 9, Royals 0; Diamondbacks 5, Brewers 0; Mariners 8, Rangers 4; Astros 10, Angels 4; Yankees 10, Athletics 0; Padres 6, White Sox 2; and Rockies 6, Dodgers 3.
Reds 7, Pirates 1
Elly De La Cruz had three hits, four RBIs and two runs to help Cincinnati beat visiting Pittsburgh.
The Reds, who won the opener of the three-game set on Friday, have won five of their past eight games. Cincinnati starting pitcher Rhett Lowder (2-2) held the Pirates scoreless on five hits through five innings, and De La Cruz’s three-run shot to right field in the fourth inning provided the run support.
Billy Cook had a home run among his two hits for the Pirates, who have lost seven of nine.
Nationals 5, Cubs 1
MacKenzie Gore came within eight outs of the eighth no-hitter in franchise history, lifting visiting Washington past Chicago.
The Cubs didn’t get to Gore (10-12) until Patrick Wisdom clubbed a solo shot with one out in the seventh. That was the only hit and run the lefty allowed in his seven innings. Meanwhile, Joey Gallo broke the game open with a three-run homer in the sixth for the Nationals, who had dropped five straight. Jose Tena went 3-for-4 with a run.
Chicago is on the verge of being officially eliminated from postseason contention. Kyle Hendricks (4-12) got the start for the Cubs and yielded four runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.
