Jul 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) receives congratulations from third base coach Dave Clark (25) after he hit a home run in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
DETROIT — Matt Boyd pitched six scoreless innings to collect his first victory this season and Justin Upton ripped his 200th career homer, lifting the Detroit Tigers past the Minnesota Twins 1-0 on Monday at Comerica Park.
Making his seventh start, Boyd (1-2) allowed only three hits and one walk while tying his career high with seven strikeouts. Boyd retired the last seven batters he faced and finished with a flourish in the sixth, striking out Miguel Sano and Brian Dozier after snaring a Joe Mauer line drive.
Upton’s second-inning shot down the left-field line was all that Boyd and three Detroit relievers would need against the downtrodden Twins. Upton, who was stuck on 199 home runs since July 7, had two of Detroit’s three hits. Francisco Rodriguez finished up to notch his 26th save.
Cubs 5, Mets 1
CHICAGO — Jon Lester returned to late spring form while Anthony Rizzo clubbed his 22nd home run of the season as Chicago beat New York.
Lester (10-4) picked up his first victory since June 18 with an efficient 7 2/3-inning outing to open the three-game Wrigley Field series.
Cubs closer Hector Rondon faced one batter in the ninth to earn his 16th save as Travis d’Arnaud grounded into a game-ending double play.
Yankees 2, Orioles 1
NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez hit his first home run in a month, Ivan Nova pitched six effective innings and New York opened a four-game series against Baltimore with a victory.
Rodriguez started for the fourth straight game after ending the first half as a part-time player against left-handed pitching and homered in his first at-bat against Kevin Gauman (1-7). It was Rodriguez’s first home run since June 18 in Minnesota and the 696th of his career.
The 40-year-old’s ninth home run came after Ivan Nova (7-5) left the bases loaded in the first and stranded the leadoff hitter in the second. Nova allowed one run and four hits after struggling through the early portions of the game but gave the Yankees six innings for the first time in six starts.
Marlins 3, Phillies 2
PHILADELPHIA — Martin Prado led off the top of the 11th inning with a home run as Miami beat Philadelphia.
The Marlins, who scored twice in the ninth off Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez to tie it, won for the sixth time in seven games.
Tommy Joseph homered for the Phillies, who lost for the third time in four games.
Reds 8, Braves 2
CINCINNATI — Joey Votto and Eugenio Suarez each hit two-run homers, and Zack Cozart added a solo shot, lifting Cincinnati to a victory over Atlanta in the opener of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
The Braves fell to 19-31 all-time at Great American Ball Park while falling for the fifth time in their past six there.
Billy Hamilton, who scored the winning run on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday, caused havoc on the basepaths again Monday. The Reds center fielder singled three times, stole three bases (giving him 27 thefts on the season) and scored twice.
