MLB RECAPS

MLB roundup: Astros’ Keuchel first 7-game winner

The Sports Xchange

May 17, 2017 at 12:00 am.

May 16, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

May 16, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

MIAMI — Dallas Keuchel became the first seven-game winner in the major leagues as the Houston Astros coasted to a 12-2 rout of the Miami Marlins Tuesday.

Keuchel allowed two runs and four hits in five innings. He has won nine straight decisions since last August and lowered his ERA to 1.84.

Jake Marisnick and Brian McCann drove in four runs apiece as Houston raised the best record in the majors to 28-12.

Miami lost for the 16th time in 20 games as Tom Koehler was tagged for eight runs and seven hits in three innings.

Rockies 7, Twins 3

MINNEAPOLIS — A big sixth inning helped Colorado beat Minnesota in the opening game of a series between two first-place teams.

With the game knotted at 3-3, Colorado scored four times in the sixth off Twins starter Phil Hughes and reliever Tyler Duffey. Charlie Blackmon delivered the biggest blow of the inning, as his two-run homer gave the Rockies a four-run advantage.

Prior to Blackmon’s ninth homer of the year, Colorado broke open a tie game when Carlos Gonzalez hit a leadoff double and scored one batter later on Ian Desmond’s base hit.

Rangers 5, Phillies 1

ARLINGTON — Yu Darvish struck out nine in seven strong innings as Texas reached .500 for the first time this season by beating Philadelphia.

Darvish allowed one run and four hits to help Texas win its seventh straight game. He also became the sixth Japanese pitcher in major league history to reach 50 career victories.

Mike Napoli hit a two-run home run for Texas while Freddy Galvis hit an RBI single for Philadelphia.

Nationals 8, Pirates 4

PITTSBURGH — Bryce Harper hit his 13th home run and Ryan Zimmerman delivered a two-run double to lead Washington to a win over Pittsburgh.

Jayson Werth went 3-for-5 and Stephen Strasburg allowed three runs and four hits in six-plus innings.

Josh Harrison homered for Pittsburgh while starter Chad Kuhl allowed six runs and 10 hits in four-plus innings.

Cubs 9, Reds 5

CHICAGO — Kyle Schwarber hit a 462-foot home run as Chicago beat Cincinnati.

Rookie Ian Haap and Addison Russell also homered for the Cubs. Starter John Lackey allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Zack Cozart, Joey Votto and Tucker Barnhart homered for Cincinnati.

Braves 9, Blue Jays 5

TORONTO — Freddie Freeman hit his 14th home run to power Atlanta to a two-game sweep of Toronto.

Freeman hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning while Matt Kemp drove in four runs.

Kevin Pillar homered for the Blue Jays while starter Marco Estrada allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings.

Rays 6, Indians 4

CLEVELAND — Corey Dickerson hit two of Tampa Bay’s five home runs in a victory over Cleveland.

Colby Rasmus, Derek Norris and Tim Beckham also homered for Tampa Bay, which won despite striking out 16 times.

Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run home run for the Indians.

Yankees 7, Royals 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — CC Sabathia allowed five hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings and New York beat Kansas City.

Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer and Chris Carter added a two-run shot for the Yankees.

Whit Merrifield drove in Kansas City’s lone run. Starter Jason Hammel allowed five runs and nine hits in six innings.

Red Sox 6, Cardinals 3

ST. LOUIS — Mookie Betts led off the game with a home run and added another RBI to lead Boston to a victory over St. Louis.

Eduardo Rodriguez (2-1) allowed three runs and five hits over six innings to earn the victory. It snapped a string of three consecutive starts in which he got a no-decision despite allowing a total of five runs in 18 innings in those games.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 12th save in 13 chances.