Sep 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets left fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (9) hits a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. New York Mets defeated Washington Nationals 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON — Pinch hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a solo homer with two outs in the eighth off Jonathan Papelbon as the first-place New York Mets came back from a six-run deficit to stun the Washington Nationals 8-7 Tuesday.
The Mets extended their lead to six games over the Nationals in the National League East as they beat Washington for the fifth time in a row.
It was the first career pinch-hit homer for Nieuwenhuis, who was 2-for-18 as a pinch hitter this year before parking a pitch from Papelbon into the right field seats.
The homer capped an improbable comeback, as the Mets scored six runs in the seventh to tie the game at 7-7.
Orioles 2, Yankees 1
NEW YORK — Chris Davis led off the top of the ninth inning with his 41st home run, lifting Baltimore to a victory over New York.
Until Davis homered, the Orioles mustered only a solo home run by Ryan Flaherty in the sixth while striking out 10 times in eight innings off Masahiro Tanaka.
Baltimore finally broke through three pitches into the ninth off Chasen Shreve (6-2) when Davis drove a 2-0 fastball into the left field seats.
Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 1 (10 innings)
BOSTON — Josh Donaldson led off the 10th with a triple, and he scored on Troy Tulowitzki’s single to key a four-run inning that gave Toronto a win over Boston.
The victory, coupled with the Yankees’ loss, increased the Jays’ lead in the AL East to a game and a half. The Red Sox saw their four-game winning streak end.
Travis Shaw’s second-inning homer accounted for Boston’s only run in six innings against Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
Pirates 7, Reds 3
CINCINNATI — Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run home run and Francisco Liriano allowed only three hits in six shutout innings, lifting Pittsburgh past Cincinnati.
Liriano (10-7) finished with one walk and 10 strikeouts. He also went 2-for-3, including a double.
Jung Ho Kang hit a solo homer and Starling Marte went 3-for-5 with a double for the Pirates.
Royals 4, Twins 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Edinson Volquez pitched seven resolute innings and Eric Hosmer smacked a three-run double in the first as Kansas City beat Minnesota.
The Royals snapped a four-game losing skid, which matched their longest of the season.
Volquez (13-7) gave the Royals their first quality start in six starts. He limited the Twins to six hits and two runs, walked none and struck out three while throwing 62 strikes in 91 pitches.
Phillies 5, Braves 0
PHILADELPHIA — In a battle of rookies, Aaron Nola outdueled Ryan Weber, lifting Philadelphia past Atlanta.
Nola threw seven shutout innings and recorded a career-high seven strikeouts, helping the Phillies snap a five-game losing streak. Weber gave up two runs in six innings during his major league debut.
Philadelphia’s Odubel Herrera went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer.
Marlins 6, Brewers 4
MIAMI — Rookie J.T. Realmuto hit two solo homers — including one inside the park — to lead Miami past Milwaukee.
The Brewers loaded the bases in three consecutive innings — the third through the fifth — but could not score in any of those frames. In total, the Brewers stranded 14 runners.
Realmuto, who has nine homers, tied the score 2-2 in the second inning with a traditional shot over the left field fence. He added an inside-the-park homer in the fourth.
