NEW YORK — Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six scoreless innings and the Houston Astros continued the best start in team history with a 5-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night.
McCullers (3-1) followed Dallas Keuchel’s six scoreless innings from Thursday’s series opener by scattering four hits. He struck out seven without a walk.
Brian McCann belted a three-run homer, and Carlos Correa and Josh Reddick each had an RBI single for the Astros (25-11), who surpassed the best 36-game start in team history set in 1972.
The Yankees tied a season high with their third straight loss.
Twins 1, Indians 0
CLEVELAND — Ervin Santana pitched seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball and Miguel Sano’s first-inning homer produced the only run for Minnesota in a win vs. Cleveland at Progressive Field.
Santana (6-1) struck out four, walked five, and combined with three relievers on a three-hitter, the Twins’ second shutout of the season. Brandon Kintzler pitched the ninth inning to pick up his ninth save.
The Indians’ Josh Tomlin (2-4) pitched eight innings and allowed one run and six hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Blue Jays 8, Mariners 4
TORONTO — Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer, Devon Travis had two RBIs, Joe Biagini pitched into the sixth inning and Toronto defeated Seattle for its first three-game winning streak of the season.
Biagini (1-1), who made his second career major league start, allowed four hits, no walks and no runs. The right-hander struck out three.
Braves 8, Marlins 4
MIAMI — Tyler Flowers slugged a two-run homer and tied his career high with four RBIs to lead Atlanta over Miami at Marlins Park.
Flowers added a two-run single as part of a six-run Braves rally in the seventh.
Mike Foltynewicz (1-4) posted his first win of the season, allowing six hits, no walks and one run in six innings. The Braves snapped a six-game losing streak in a battle between the two bottom teams in the National League East.
The Marlins have lost four games in a row. All of its runs came on homers by Justin Bour, J.T. Realmuto and Derek Dietrich.
Rays 5, Red Sox 4
BOSTON — Alex Cobb opened with six one-hit innings, Evan Longoria hit a two-run homer, Tim Beckham drove in two runs and Tampa Bay beat Boston at Fenway Park.
Cobb (3-3) allowed four runs (three earned) and four hits, three walks and five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Alex Colome converted a four-out save, his ninth of the season. American League Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello (2-5) allowed five runs (three earned) and nine hits in six innings.
Sandy Leon had two RBIs for the Red Sox and Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a first-inning single.
Phillies-Nationals, ppd.
WASHINGTON — The game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals was rained out at Nationals Park. It will be made up Sunday as part of a day-night doubleheader with games at 1:35 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. ET.