May 25, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Eddie Butler (33) throws the ball against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs continued to flex home run muscles with three more on Thursday while starter Eddie Butler allowed one run over five innings in a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs used solo home runs by Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist, and added two eighth-inning runs on a wild pitch as they took three of four from the Giants.
Chicago has hit 26 homers in its last 14 games, second most in the majors in that span.
Zobrist went 3-for-4, while Anthony Rizzo added two hits. Butler improved to 2-0 in his third start since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Giants starter Jeff Samardzija fell to 1-6 in his seven-inning outing as San Francisco dropped its third straight.
Phillies 2, Rockies 1 (11 innings)
PHILADELPHIA — A walk-off RBI single by Tommy Joseph in the 11th inning in the series finale ended Philadelphia’ five-game losing streak.
The Phillies got a one-out double from Michael Saunders against Colorado reliever Scott Oberg (0-1), and Joseph followed with his game-winning hit. Joseph hit a home run for the Phillies’ other run.
Phillies starter Vince Velasquez gave up eight hits in his five innings, and six relievers two-hit the Rockies over six innings.
Jeanmar Gomez (3-1), activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, picked up the win by pitching a perfect 11th.
The Rockies’ only score came in the fourth, when shortstop Trevor Story hit his seventh home run of the season.
Pirates 9, Braves 4
ATLANTA — Adam Frazier had a three-run homer in a five-run second inning and Francisco Cervelli tied a career-high four hits to back Ivan Nova, who pitched into the ninth inning for Pittsburgh.
Nova (5-3) worked 8 1/3 innings in beating the Braves for the second time this season. He was charged with four runs on 10 hits.
Braves starter Bartolo Colon, who turned 44 on Wednesday, gave up 10 hits and seven runs in five innings.
Mariners 4, Nationals 2
WASHINGTON — Nelson Cruz hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the sixth and Robinson Cano was 2-for-4 with an RBI as Seattle prevented a sweep of the three-game interleague series.
It was the first win in nine tries for the Mariners in the nation’s capital. The last-place Mariners, who had lost five in a row, were swept in three-game sets in Washington in 2005 and 2011.
The Nationals’ Anthony Rendon hit a solo homer and has homered in three straight games.
Rays 4, Angels 0
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Colby Rasmus drove in all four runs for Tampa Bay in its shutout of Los Angeles.
Tampa Bay won the final two games of the four-game series to climb back to .500.
Rays starter Matt Andriese pitched eight scoreless innings to improve his record to 5-1. He gave up six hits and struck out five, throwing 112 pitches.
Yankees-Royals postponed
NEW YORK — The series finale between New York and Kansas City was postponed due to heavy rain at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees announced the final game of the four-game series will be made up on Sept. 25 and a starting time will be announced a later date.
