Sep 19, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Aaron Blair (36) New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK — Freddie Freeman continued his road mastery of the New York Mets Monday night, when the Atlanta Braves first baseman collected four hits — including a homer — and three RBIs to lead the Braves to a 7-3 win at Citi Field.
Rookie right-hander Aaron Blair earned his first major league victory with six solid innings for the Braves (59-91), who have won three straight to improve to 9-8 this month. Atlanta, which has not had a winning month all season, needs to win at least four of the final 12 games to avoid the franchise’s first 100-loss campaign since 1988.
The Mets (80-70) had a three-game winning streak snapped. New York, which is 20-8 since Aug. 20, entered Monday one game ahead of the San Francisco Giants in the race for the NL’s top wild card and two games ahead of the third-place St. Louis Cardinals.
Marlins 4, Nationals 3
MIAMI — Washington rookie center fielder Trea Turner misplayed two fly balls, leading to three runs, and Miami used those mistakes to rally past the Nationals at Marlins Park.
A.J. Ramos pitched the ninth, recording his 38th save of the season. He retired Daniel Murphy on a long fly ball to end the game. That drive to the edge of the warning track in right also ended Murphy’s 14-game hit streak, which tied his career high.
Washington lost its third game in a row. The first-place Nationals started the day with an eight-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East.
Red Sox 5, Orioles 2
BALTIMORE — For just the second time this season and first since July 29, Rick Porcello went nine innings and he did it against one of the most feared lineups in baseball in hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
Porcello pitched a complete game, and Mookie Betts and David Ortiz hit two-run homers as Boston beat Baltimore.
The first-place Red Sox improved to 20-9 within the American League East since July 1.
Royals 8, White Sox 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City isn’t known for its power, ranking last in the American League with 137 home runs.
But the Royals flexed their muscles Monday.
Kendrys Morales, Paulo Orlando and Alcides Escobar homered as the Royals topped Chicago.
Morales’ three-run homer in a four-run fifth gave the Royals a six-run cushion and sent White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon to the showers.
Cubs 5, Reds 2
CHICAGO — Dexter Fowler’s seventh-inning RBI single provided the go-ahead run while Jason Heyward added a two-run insurance homer in the eighth as Chicago rallied to a victory over Cincinnati.
Fowler’s two-out base hit drove in Chris Coghlan from second to break at 2-2 tie as the Cubs snapped a two-game losing streak in the opener of a three-game Wrigley Field series.
Heyward’s seventh home run, his first since Aug. 22, landed in the center field seats and brought home Addison Russell. The home run was the 242nd allowed this season by the Reds, breaking the major league record set in 1996 by the Detroit Tigers.
