SAN FRANCISCO (AP) San Francisco overcame an early three-run deficit to beat Washington 5-3 on Saturday and hang onto the outright lead in the National League West division.
The Giants, who had only won two games out of 13 since the All-Star break went into the game knowing that a loss, combined with a victory by the Los Angeles Dodgers against Arizona, would bring the two teams level on win-loss record, but instead both results went their way and San Francisco re-established a two-game break.
The other NL divisional leader, the Chicago Cubs, lost an interleague game against Seattle, with high-priced closer Aroldis Chapman giving up the decisive runs.
The Cubs remained 6-1/2 games ahead of St. Louis, which suffered a heavy defeat at Miami, while the key American League clash saw Toronto convincingly beat Baltimore and move above the Orioles to the top of the East division.
Washington’s Anthony Rendon hit a two-run homer in the third inning for the Nationals, but they could not protect their lead. Earlier in the day they acquired All-Star closer Mark Melancon from Pittsburgh to replace the struggling Jonathan Papelbon.
Joe Panik hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning and San Francisco beat Washington to snap a three-game losing streak.
San Francisco loaded the bases against former Giants reliever Yusmeiro Petit with one out in the seventh to bring up Joe Panik, who hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly.
New Chicago closer Chapman carried the can for the Cubs’ 4-1 defeat by Seattle.
Making his third appearance for the Cubs since he was acquired from the New York Yankees, Chapman entered in the eighth inning with Chicago up 1-0, but allowed Leonys Martin’s double that drove in two runs. Martin then stole third and scored on a wild pitch, and Seattle added a run in the ninth.
Miami’s Christian Yelich and Jeff Mathis each had three hits and drove in two runs as the Marlins routed St. Louis 11-0 and moved level with the Cardinals for the second NL wildcard.
Miami’s Ichiro Suzuki remained at 2,998 career hits, going 0 for 2 after entering the game as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning.
Toronto scored seven runs in the fifth inning and then cruised to a 9-1 win against Baltimore.
Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ won his eighth straight decision, allowing one run in seven-plus innings and matching a season high with 11 strikeouts.
Devon Travis homered for Toronto, which moved back to the AL East summit for the first time since they won the opening two games of the season.
The Orioles matched their season worst with a fifth successive loss.
Detroit’s Jose Iglesias drove in the winning run with an infield single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Tigers past Houston 3-2.
With the Astros up 2-1, Houston closer Will Harris retired the first two batters in the ninth but could not finish it off. He walked Justin Upton and singles by Tyler Collins and James McCann drove him in for the tying run.
Iglesias then hit a grounder which was fielded by the first baseman, whose toss to Harris covering the bag was not in time to get Iglesias to end the inning, and Collins scored.
Texas’ Mitch Moreland homered with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Rangers past Kansas City 2-1.
Royals closer Brooks Pounders got the first two outs in the ninth before Moreland homered for the fourth time in five games.
Cleveland’s Jason Kipnis, Jose Ramirez, Abraham Almonte and Mike Napoli all homered in a 6-3 victory over Oakland.
Cleveland broke a 2-2 tie with a four-run fourth in which Almonte and Napoli homered.
Colorado’s Jorge De La Rosa earned his 100th career victory as he steered the Rockies to a 7-2 win against the New York Mets.
On the day the Mets retired Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza’s No. 31, the Mets lost their fourth in row. The 43-year-old starter Bartolo Colon faltered in his first start on three days’ rest since 2005.
Colorado retired New York’s last 16 batters and notched their fifth straight win to level their win-loss record at 52-52.
Los Angeles’ Hector Santiago survived a rocky five innings to win his sixth consecutive start as the Angels beat Boston 5-2.
Arizona’s Braden Shipley pitched six scoreless innings for his first major league victory, guiding the Diamondbacks past the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2.
Milwaukee’s Hernan Perez drove in three runs with a two-run homer and a single, lifting the Brewers past Pittsburgh 5-3.
Tampa Bay’s Drew Smyly struck out Alex Rodriguez three times en route to stopping an 11-start winless streak and sending the Rays to a 6-3 win against the New York Yankees.
Chicago’s Dioner Navarro hit a tiebreaking double in the 10th inning to lift the White Sox over Minnesota 6-5.
San Diego’s Adam Rosales homered leading off the 10th inning to give the Padres a 2-1 victory against Cincinnati.
Philadelphia’s Jeremy Hellickson pitched into the sixth inning and drove in the go-ahead run with a two-run double to lead the Phillies past Atlanta 9-5.
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