CINCINNATI — Jose Reyes, Curtis Granderson and Wilmer Flores hit home runs to help the New York Mets complete a three-game sweep with a 6-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
New York (74-66) entered play on Wednesday trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by one game for the second wild-card spot in the National League.
The Mets have won 14 straight games against Cincinnati, dating to Sept. 7, 2014. It’s the second-longest winning streak against any team in franchise history.
Mets starter Noah Syndergaard (13-8) was wild but effective on Wednesday, walking four and giving up six hits. New York’s defense and a few baserunning blunders by the Reds helped him toss five scoreless innings.
Athletics 4, Angels 1
OAKLAND, Calif. — Right-hander Jharel Cotton allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings in his major-league debut, leading Oakland past Los Angeles.
Cotton (1-0) gave up two hits, struck out three, walked two and threw 102 pitches before leaving to a standing ovation.
The A’s acquired Cotton and two other pitchers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 1 in exchange for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill.
Before being called up Wednesday from Triple-A Nashville, Cotton went 3-1 with 2.82 ERA in six starts and came within one out of a perfect game on Aug. 9 against Round Rock.
Rays 7, Orioles 6
ST. PETERSURG, Fla. — Corey Dickerson had an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Tampa over Baltimore.
Tampa Bay’s Nos. 6-9 hitters — Mikie Mahtook, Nick Franklin, Dickerson and Luke Maile — combined for eight hits, four RBIs and five runs scored as the Rays (60-79) avoided a three-game sweep.
The Rays got home runs from center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and Franklin as they avoided a three-game sweep.
Brad Boxberger (3-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win. Alex Colome struck out two in the ninth for his 31st save of the season.
White Sox 7, Tigers 4
CHICAGO — Melky Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs as Chicago rallied to beat Detroit.
Jose Abreu and Tyler Saladino added three hits apiece as the White Sox claimed the series victory. Chicago (67-72) has won four of its past six games.
Justin Upton went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Tigers. Detroit (75-64) dropped back-to-back games for the first time this month.
White Sox right-hander Chris Beck (2-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings to earn the win.