Sep 4, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. (Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)
NEW YORK — Rookie right-hander Luis Severino pitched into the seventh inning for the first time while designated hitter Alex Rodriguez, catcher Brian McCann and first baseman Greg Bird homered as the New York Yankees opened a 10-game homestand with a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Severino (3-2) won his third straight start despite tying a career-high allowing seven hits. He took a shutout into the sixth before allowing third baseman Evan Longoria’s 18th home run.
After getting beat by Longoria, Severino walked shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and gave up a single to first baseman James Loney. He needed only three pitches to escape his biggest jam of the night as he fanned center fielder Kevin Kiermaier on a high fastball.
Nationals 5, Braves 2
WASHINGTON — Pinch-hitter Michael A. Taylor blasted a three-run homer with no outs in the last of the 10th off Brandon Cunniff to give Washington the win.
Taylor’s homer scored Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman. It was the first career walk-off homer for Taylor, who has been hobbled by a sore leg and missed the past few games.
Washington began the day six games back of the first-place New York Mets in the National League East.
Indians 8, Tigers 1
DETROIT — Jerry Sands hit a two-run homer and triggered a four-run fifth with a leadoff triple while Josh Tomlin began the game with five innings of one-hit ball to spark surging Cleveland over sinking Detroit.
Tomlin, subbing for injured Corey Kluber, gave up a leadoff single to Anthony Gose in the first but held Detroit hitless until giving up a leadoff double in the sixth.
Tomlin got 14 Detroit batters to hit the first or second pitch he threw. Tomlin gave up four hits, walked one, struck out five and threw 104 pitches in his third career complete game.
Orioles 10, Blue Jays 2
TORONTO — Chris Davis hit two home runs and had three RBIs as Baltimore routed Toronto.
It was the second straight two-homer game for the Orioles first baseman.
Adam Jones added a two-run shot for the Orioles and Matt Wieters hit a solo shot to support winning pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez.
Red Sox 7, Phillies 5
BOSTON — The new and improved Joe Kelly won his seventh straight start to lift Boston over.
Kelly, banished to Triple-A in June with a 2-5 record, has returned as a different pitcher and Friday night turned in six strong innings as the Red Sox won the opener of a three-game series between two last-place teams.
Xander Bogaerts had two hits and two RBIs and Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo homer and scored twice sparked the Red Sox offense.
Reds-Brewers postponed
CINCINNATI – The series opener between Cincinnati and Milwaukee was postponed due to rain.
The game will be made up Saturday as part of a day-night doubleheader.
