MLB Recaps: Surging Yankees move over .500


Jun 10, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Photo Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Photo Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — CC Sabathia pitched seven innings and the New York Yankees moved over the .500 mark for the first time in nearly two months with a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

Sabathia (4-4) allowed five hits and equaled his longest outing of the season by pitching seven innings for the third time. He won for the third time in his last six starts, lowering his ERA from 5.06 to 2.28 since April 27.

The left-hander picked up his 21st career victory against Detroit on a night which began with a 12-pitch strikeout to Ian Kinsler. He struck out four, walked two and threw 108 pitches.

The Yankees (31-30) won their fifth straight game and moved over .500 for the first time since April 13 when they had a 4-3 record.

Brian McCann drove in the first run with a bases-loaded walk, Didi Gregorius added a two-run double and Carlos Beltran contributed an RBI single in the third.

The Tigers were shut out for the fifth time this season and have lost two in a row after tying a season high with five straight wins.

Braves 5, Cubs 1

ATLANTA — Veteran right-hander Bud Norris took another step toward reclaiming his spot in the Atlanta’s starting rotation by throwing seven strong innings in a win over Chicago.

Norris (2-7) lost his spot in the rotation after five unimpressive starts, but was given a second chance last week when Mike Foltynewicz went on the disabled list. After losing his return start, despite allowing only one run in five innings, Norris matched his season-best on Friday with seven innings against the Cubs.

Norris allowed one run on four hits and struck out a season-best six. He retired 15 of the last 16 batters he faced, including 10 in a row at one point.

Rays 4, Astros 3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Steve Pearce went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to lift Tampa Bay to a win over Houston.

The Tampa Bay bullpen combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings to hold off Houston.

With the Astros trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, they loaded the bases against Rays reliever Alex Colome. Colome walked pinch-hitter Tony Kemp before striking out George Springer and giving up a single to Marwin Gonzalez that sent Kemp to third. Gonzalez advanced to second on the throw to third and was originally called out, but it was changed to safe after a video review. Colome intentionally walked Jose Altuve to load the bases with one out but struck out Colby Rasmus and retired Evan Gattis on a grounder to short.

Blue Jays 4, Orioles 3

TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion led off the bottom of the 10th inning with his 13th homer of the season and Toronto defeated Baltimore.

The game-winning homer came on a 3-2 pitch against right-hander Brad Brach (5-1) and gave the win to right-hander Drew Storen (1-2) who pitched a perfect top of the 10th.

The Blue Jays (33-30) ended a five-game win streak by the Orioles (36-24). Each team has one win after two games of a four-game series.

Nationals 9, Phillies 6

WASHINGTON — Danny Espinosa went 3-for-3 with a homer, Stephen Drew had a homer and three RBIs and Daniel Murphy had two doubles and three RBIs as Washington hit three homers and thrashed Philadelphia.

The three infielders combined for seven hits, including two homers, and six RBIs.

Stephen Strasburg (10-0) allowed five hits and four runs with 10 strikeouts and one walk in seven innings. The 2009 overall first pick in the draft has won 13 decisions in a row dating to last year. He retired the last 14 batters he faced.

Reds 2, Athletics 1

CINCINNATI — Anthony DeSclafani made his season debut allowing only one run over six innings as Cincinnati rallied for a victory over Oakland in the opener of a three-game interleague series at Great American Ball Park.

Sonny Gray, making his second start since coming off the disabled list last Sunday, pitched 5 1/3 hitless innings before the Reds rallied to go ahead in the seventh. He allowed two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Stephen Vogt homered for Oakland which has lost six straight.