MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Randy Arozarena hit a tiebreaking home run for Tampa Bay with two outs in the ninth inning, helping the Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 on Wednesday heading into a weekend showdown with AL East leader Baltimore.
Arozarena sent a 448-foot drive to the third deck above left field on a 3-2 sweeper from Griffin Jax (6-10), who leads the staff in losses.
Colin Poche walked pinch hitter Jordan Luplow with one out in the ninth and pinch-runner Andrew Stevenson stole second base, but Robert Stephenson recorded his first save for the Rays by striking out pinch hitter Christian Vázquez to end the game.
Kevin Kelly (5-2) pitched two perfect innings in relief for the victory.
MARINERS 3, ANGELS 2
SEATTLE (AP) — Julio Rodríguez hit a run-scoring double and later scored the tiebreaking run after drawing an intentional walk, leading the playoff-contending Seattle over Los Angeles.
Luis Castillo (13-7) added six strong innings for the Mariners, who rebounded from Monday’s extra-innings loss to take two of three from Los Angeles. He allowed two runs and three hits in a 104-pitch outing. He struck out eight and walked three.
Andrés Muñoz worked the ninth for his 13th save.
José Suarez (1-3) took the loss for the Angels, who used seven pitchers in a bullpen day.
ROCKIES 7, CUBS 3
DENVER (AP) — Kris Bryant went deep for the second straight game, one of four home runs by Colorado, and the Rockies beat Chicago for their first series win in a month.
Nolan Jones and Elehuris Montero each hit a two-run homer in a four-run fifth, and Ryan McMahon homered and finished with three hits for the Rockies, who took two of three from the playoff-contending Cubs.
Ty Blach (3-1) gave up nine hits in five innings but held the Cubs in check, allowing three runs. Gavin Hollowell worked two scoreless innings and Tyler Kinley, the fourth Colorado reliever, got the last five outs for his third save.
Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (7-10) came in 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two career starts against Colorado, including a complete game at Coors Field on Aug. 7, 2018, when he was with Pittsburgh. He allowed just one hit through three innings before Colorado scored a run in the fourth and took the lead in the fifth.
GIANTS 6, GUARDIANS 5, 10 INNINGS
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning and San Francisco rallied past Cleveland in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Xzavion Curry (3-4) walked a pair to load the bases with no outs. Wade hit a fly ball to left and Patrick Bailey beat a strong throw from left fielder Steven Kwan, sliding under Bo Naylor’s tag at the plate. The call was upheld upon video review.
J.D. Davis tied the game in the eighth with a towering three-run homer to left.
Camilo Doval (6-4) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his first win since Aug. 20.
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