The Washington Nationals tied a franchise record with eight home runs, including two apiece by Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, and Max Scherzer pitched six innings of three-hit ball in a 15-2 rout of the fading Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
Washington matched two major league records in a seven-run third inning: Most consecutive home runs (four) and most home runs in an inning (five).
After Harper connected off Michael Blazek (0-1) in the first inning, Brian Goodwin started the long-ball barrage in the third with a two-run drive. Wilmer Difo, Harper and Zimmerman followed with long home runs.
The streak was interrupted when Daniel Murphy flied out.
Cubs 6, White Sox 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice and drove in four runs, and the rolling Chicago Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox for their third consecutive victory.
Anthony Rizzo also connected and Jon Lester pitched seven effective innings as the Cubs improved to 11-2 since the All-Star break. The NL Central leaders also increased their advantage over the second place Brewers to 1 1/2 games ahead of their big series this weekend in Milwaukee.
Lester (8-6) allowed two runs and four hits in his third straight win since he got just two outs in the shortest start of his career July 9 against Pittsburgh. The starting pitchers for the Cubs are 10-0 with a 2.50 ERA in the last 13 games.
Mike Pelfrey (3-8) was tagged for five runs and six hits in five-plus innings.
Yankees 6, Rays 5
NEW YORK (AP) — Shortstop Adeiney Hechavarria and second baseman Tim Beckham watched Gary Sanchez’s playable grounder bounce between them on the left side of the infield for a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Brett Gardner homered leading off the 11th, and New York beat Tampa Bay for its fourth straight win.
Gardner tripled to the left-center wall off Alex Colome leading off the ninth, but Clint Frazier hit a soft grounder to third and AL home run leader Aaron Judge flied to right.
D-Backs 4, Cardinals 0
ST. LOUIS (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit a grand slam and Zack Godley pitched seven innings to help Arizona beat St. Louis.
The Diamondbacks won their third game out of four, improved to 59-43 and snapped the Cardinals’ three-game winning streak.
Godley (4-4) reversed a trend of two poor outings, with the best performance of his 14-start career.
Padres 7, Mets 5
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Manuel Margot came within a triple of the cycle and fellow rookie Dusty Coleman hit his first major league home run, leading San Diego past New York.
Marlins 4, Reds 1
MIAMI (AP) — Chris O’Grady pitched seven scoreless innings to help Miami beat Cincinnati.
Derek Dietrich, who drove in five of Miami’s franchise record
22 runs in a win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, homered and knocked in three.
Blue Jays 8, A’s 4
TORONTO (AP) — Steve Pearce hit a grand slam in the 10th inning and Toronto beat Oakland to complete a four-game sweep.
Indians 2, Angels 1
CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor Bauer pitched a season high eight innings, Francisco Lindor singled to break a tie in the seventh and Cleveland beat Los Angeles for its seventh consecutive victory.
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