ILDEMARO Vargas hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth inning as the Washington Nationals won 3-1 at Seattle on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), overcoming two notable performances by Mariners rookies.
Vargas just cleared the fence in right-center field on a 1-2 pitch from Paul Sewald (3-4) as the Nationals earned a split of the two-game series. Kyle Finnegan (5-2) got the victory after tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez became the 12th rookie in major league history to join the 20-20 club when he hit a home run with two outs in the eighth to tie the score at 1-1.
Mariners rookie George Kirby began the game with 24 consecutive strikes, the most since records began being kept in 1988. He tossed seven innings of one-run ball.
In other games, it was the Astros 5, Twins 3; Braves 14, Pirates 2; Dodgers 12, Brewers 6; Tigers 6, Giants 1; Rangers 16, Rockies 4; Rays 4, Angels 3 (11 innings); Phillies 7, Reds 5; Guardians 7, Padres 0; A’s 3, Marlins 2 (10 innings); Blue Jays 3, Red Sox 2 (10 innings); White Sox 5, Orioles 3; Cubs 7, Cardinals 1; and Royals 5, Diamondbacks 3.
Astros 5, Twins 3
Framber Valdez gave up one run on two hits over seven innings to win his fourth consecutive start and Jose Altuve and Trey Mancini homered to lead Houston past visiting Minnesota.
It was the 21st consecutive quality start for Valdez (13-4), breaking the franchise record set by Mike Scott in 1986 en route to winning the National League’s Cy Young Award.
Valdez walked four and struck out eight.
Luis Arraez had an RBI double for Minnesota, which lost its fifth straight game, the team’s longest skid of the season. Dylan Bundy (7-6) allowed two runs on three hits in five innings.
Braves 14, Pirates 2
Matt Olson belted a grand slam and Kyle Wright pitched seven scoreless innings as visiting Atlanta breezed to a victory over Pittsburgh.
William Contreras launched a two-run homer, Dansby Swanson drove in three runs with a double and Austin Riley, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Robbie Grossman each hit an RBI single.
Wright (16-5) allowed two hits and struck out eight batters for the Braves, who have won six of their last seven games.
Kevin Newman belted a solo homer for the Pirates, who have lost five straight. Tucupita Marcano added a sacrifice fly, and Pittsburgh dropped all seven of its games against the Braves this season. — Field Level Media