Kepler powers Twins to victory

DETROIT — Max Kepler hit a tiebreaking solo homer with two outs in the ninth inning to power the Minnesota Twins to a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. The rookie right fielder smashed a 3-2 pitch from Francisco Rodriguez (1-1) into the right field stands. Kepler has 10 home runs, including nine over the last 26 games. Eddie Rosario provided some insurance later in the inning with a two-run shot off Rodriguez, who had not allowed a run in his previous 10 appearances. Red Sox 11, Giants 7 Ramirez socked three two-run homers as Boston won a shootout with San Francisco at Fenway Park. It was the first career three-homer game for Ramirez, who also made a series of outstanding defensive plays at first base. He had a chance to hit a major-league-record-tying fourth homer in the eighth inning but grounded out to the pitcher. Reds 6, Braves 3 Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto homered, and Anthony DeSclafani allowed two runs over eight innings, lifting Cincinnati over Atlanta. DeSclafani (5-0) recorded his fifth straight quality start, allowing two runs and eight hits with no walks. He is undefeated since being reinstated from the disabled list on June 10. Freddie Freeman’s 17th home run, a solo shot to the opposite field in left, put the Braves ahead 1-0 in the first. But DeSclafani was in control from there. Indians 11, Royals 4 Mike Naquin belted two home runs and drove in six runs, while Carlos Carrasco gave up one hit in six dominant innings for Cleveland. Naquin hit a solo homer in the third, a two-run double in the fourth and a three-run blast in a seven-run fifth inning. Naquin’s six RBIs are a career high and it was his first multi-homer game. Carrasco (7-3) retired the first 10 Royals before Cheslor Cuthbert doubled in the fourth, the only hit he would permit. Kansas City did not have another base runner until Whit Merrifield and Cuthbert walked with two out in the sixth. Carrasco, who is 5-1 in his past six starts, was removed after 85 pitches, 25 in the sixth inning. Cubs 6, Mets 2 Anthony Rizzo homered twice and right-hander Kyle Hendricks struck out seven in six-plus scoreless innings as the Cubs breezed. The victory gave the Cubs (57-37) two wins in the three-game series while the Mets (50-44). Rizzo, who went 2-for-4, collected his 23rd and 24th home runs of the season and now ranks second in the NL behind teammate Kris Bryant. Blue Jays 10, Diamondbacks 4 Josh Donaldson doubled, homered and drove in three runs and Edwin Encarnacion belted his 10th career homer in Toronto’s victory. Donaldson gave the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead two batters into the game, when he followed Darwin Barney’s single with his 24th homer of the season. Encarnacion capped a four-run eighth inning with his 26th homer of the season. Marcus Stroman (8-4) gave up one run and eight hits in eight innings for his first victory on the road since beating Minnesota 3-1 on May 18. Astros 7, Athletics 0 Right-hander Doug Fister pitched seven shutout innings, and the Astros avoided a sweep in the three-game series. Fister (10-6) beat the A’s for the third time in four starts this season, allowing four hits while striking out five and walking two. Rays 11, Rockies 3 They Rays won their second straight game, the first time they won consecutive games since June 14-15. The Rays also won their first series since taking two of three June 24-27 against Boston. Chris Archer (5-13) broke a six-game losing streak that was one shy of his career high and won for the first time since June 6. Archer allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and 11 strikeouts, one shy of his season high. Cardinals 4, Padres 2 Carlos Martinez survived a 10-minute delay for a second-inning nose bleed and limited San Diego to four hits over seven efficient frames in the first game of a day-night doubleheader at Busch Stadium. Mariners 6, White Sox 5 (11 innings) Leonys Martin’s second home run of the game, a walk-off shot in the bottom of the 11th inning, lifted the Mariners to victory. Other results: Nationals 8, Dodgers 1; Phillies 4, Marlins 1; Yankees 5, Orioles 0; Brewers 9, Pirates 5; Cardinals 3, Padres 2.