WASHINGTON

Slumping Bryce Harper was moved to the leadoff spot for the first time since 2013 and responded with a three-run homer that helped Max Scherzer win his fifth straight start as the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-4 Wednesday night.

Harper entered in a 5-for- 35 slump and had not gotten an extra-base hit since April 16. He grounded out in the first inning against Chad Kuhl (3-2), followed Wilmer Difo’s go-ahead homer in the third with a fly-out, then gave the Nationals a 5-0 lead in the fifth with his ninth homer this season.

Scherzer (6-1) allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight and walked one.

Yankees 4, Astros 0

HOUSTON (AP) — Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer in the ninth off Ken Giles (0-1), who punched himself on the face and chin when he walked to the dugout after he was knocked out later in the inning, then threw a bat in the dugout and kicked it. New York won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery was removed after one inning and seven pitches because of tightness in his left elbow and will return to New York on Wednesday to be examined.

Justin Verlander allowed tied a career-high by striking out 14 and allowed just three hits — all singles — in eight innings.

Domingo German, who could take over Montgomery’s starting spot, scattered four hits over four innings, and David Robertson (2-1) pitched around Jose Altuve’s two-out single in the eighth.

Rockies 3, Cubs 1

CHICAGO (AP) — Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl opened the game with consecutive homers off Kyle Hendricks (2-2), and Nolan Arenado also homered as Colorado stopped a threegame slide.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon put Anthony Rizzo in the leadoff spot to try to help the big first baseman out of his slump, and he opened with his fourth career leadoff homer.

Jon Gray (3-4) allowed three hits in seven innings, Adam Ottavino worked the eighth and Wade Davis finished the three-hitter for his 11th save.

Rangers 8, Indians 6

CLEVELAND (AP) — Joey Gallo and Isiah Kiner- Falefa homered on consecutive pitches off Nick Goody (0-2) in the 12th inning.

Michael Brantley tied the game in the ninth with a two-out grand slam off Keone Kela, but the Rangers bailed out their closer who entered the game with a 6-2

Braves 3, Mets 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Soroka (1-0) gave up one run and six hits in six innings as the 20-year-old right-hander won his big league debut Soroka joined Ronald Acuna Jr., who is about four months younger, and the 21- year-old Ozzie Albies to give Atlanta the three youngest players in the majors.

Brewers 7, Reds 6

CINCINNATI (AP) — Ryan Braun hit a tiebreaking double off Homer Bailey (0-4) for a 5-3 lead in the fifth and Travis Shaw ended his 0-for-19 slide with a two-run homer. The Reds fell to 7-23, matching the 1931 and 1934 teams for worst 30-game start in franchise history, and are winless in Bailey’s seven starts.

Marlins 2, Phillies 1

MIAMI (AP) — Pinch-hitter Yadiel Rivera improved his .100 batting average with a one-out RBI single in the 10th that followed Cameron Maybin’s triple against Yacksel Rios (3-1). Miami won its fourth straight and Philadelphia lost its fourth in a row.

Tigers 2, Rays 1

DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Boyd (1-2) allowed one run and seven hits in six innings. Shane Greene, who allowed a pair of ninth-inning homers in a loss to Tampa Bay on Monday, worked a perfect ninth a night later for his fifth save.

Cardinals 3, W-Sox 2

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter tied the score against Joakim Soria (0-1) when he led off the ninth with his 100th home run, and Yadier Molina hit a game-ending single as St. Louis stopped a three-game losing streak.

Blue Jays 7, Twins 4

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kendrys Morales homered twice for Toronto and reached base all five times he batted, including an intentional walk in the 10th inning when the Blue Jays scored twice on wild pitches by John Curtiss.

D-Backs 4, Dodgers 3

PHOENIX (AP) — Daniel Descalso atoned for a costly error with a two-run, go-ahead triple in the seventh inning and Arizona rallied to beat Los Angeles, handing the Dodgers their fourth straight loss and seventh in eight games.

Angels 3, Orioles 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Justin Upton hit a walk-off single with the bases loaded, and Los Angeles blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning before snapping a four-game skid with a victory over Baltimore.

Padres 3, Giants 2

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Eric Hosmer homered off Giants closer Hunter Strickland with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting San Diego over San Francisco.

The Giants retired 10 consecutive batters before Hosmer connected on a 2-1 pitch from Strickland (2-1).

Mariners 6, A’s 3

SEATTLE (AP) — Nelson Cruz hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth inning, Dee Gordon had five hits, and Felix Hernandez pitched six solid innings to send Seattle over Oakland.

Seattle closer Edwin Diaz struck out two in a shutout ninth.