Jul 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets defeated the Phillies, 5-0. Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
PHILADELPHIA — The New York Mets and Jacob deGrom decided the right-hander’s All-Star break would be better spent relaxing than joining the National League squad in San Diego earlier in the week.
DeGrom recorded his first career complete game in scintillating fashion, allowing just one hit in New York’s 5-0 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday.
The 28-year-old, who lowered his ERA to 2.38, improved to 6-4 on the year after striking out seven and walking one. DeGrom, who has struck out at least six in 10 straight starts, faced one batter more than the minimum.
The Mets (49-42) scored all of their runs with two outs.
In the second inning, Juan Lagares was nearly caught looking at a fastball from Phillies starter Zach Eflin on a 2-2 count, but the pitch was ruled just off the plate. Lagares then belted a RBI triple to right field, scoring James Loney to open the scoring.
Rangers 4, Cubs 1
CHICAGO — Cole Hamels took advantage of an early lead and scattered four hits as Texas salvaged the finale of a three-game series with a victory over Chicago.
Hamels, who no-hit the Cubs in his last Wrigley Field visit in 2015 while with the Phillies, worked eight innings for his longest outing since going eight on May 22 in the Rangers’ 9-2 win over Houston.
Hamels (10-2) struck out seven with an unearned run as the Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak. Closer Sam Dyson struck out the side in a perfect ninth for his 19th save.
Tigers 4, Royals 2
DETROIT — Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, giving Detroit a win over Kansas City.
Saltamacchia drilled a Joakim Soria pitch into the right field stands after Tyler Collins led off the inning with a single.
Francisco Rodriguez (1-0) got the win with an inning of scoreless relief. The Tigers took two of three games in the series.
Rays 5, Orioles 2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay hit four home runs — two from Evan Longoria — and snapped an eight-game losing streak with a win over Baltimore.
The Rays avoided a sweep and picked up just their fourth win in 28 games, after the worst 27-game stretch by any American League team since 2003.
Jake Odorizzi (4-5), mentioned as a trade target as the deadline approaches, won for the first time in seven starts.
Reds 1, Brewers 0
CINCINNATI — Billy Hamilton scored the winning run from third on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Cincinnati over Milwaukee.
In the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Thornburg walked Hamilton with two outs. Will Smith came on and walked Joey Votto on six pitches. Hamilton’s 24th stolen base put him at third and he raced home when Smith’s pitch skipped a few feet away from Jonathan Lucroy.
Thornburg (3-3) took the loss. Tony Cingrani (2-3) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win for Cincinnati.
