BOSTON (AP) — Kenley Jansen blew a ninth-inning lead for the second straight day when shortstop Kiké Hernández’s throwing error on a potential game-ending double play allowed Nolan Gorman to score the go-ahead run in a three-run ninth inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox wasted a stellar start by Chris Sale, who pitched eight innings of one-run ball in his longest outing since 2019, and lost for the fourth time in five games. Nolan Arenado had a solo homer for St. Louis a day after collecting four hits with a two-run homer.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Alex Kirilloff hit two of Minnesota’s season-high five home runs to lead the Twins to an 11-1 win against the Chicago Cubs. Joey Gallo, Jorge Polanco, and Carlos Correa also homered for the Twins, who gave more than enough run support to starter Joe Ryan. Ryan struck out 10 in six scoreless innings, including striking out the side in the sixth. Cubs right-hander Hayden Wesneski surrendered four of the Twins’ home runs.
Also in the MLB:
BOSTON (AP) — Willson Contreras’ demotion from catching didn’t last very long. St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol announced before a game in Boston that the 31-year-old Contreras will be back behind the plate on Monday night when the Cardinals open a homestand against the Milwaukee Brewers. The three-time All-Star was signed to an $87.5 million, five-year contract in December to replace retired Yadier Molina at catcher. But Marmol announced last weekend that Contreras would be taking a break from catching for a while. He has been the designated hitter during his time away from behind the plate.
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a pair of two-run homers, Anthony Volpe broke Joe DiMaggio’s team record for consecutive stolen bases at the start of a career and New York overcame a six-run deficit for a 9-8 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Rays ace Shane McClanahan failed to hold a 6-0, fifth-inning lead, six days after Yankees ace Gerrit Cole squandered a 6-0, fifth-inning advantage in an 8-7, 10-inning loss at Tampa Bay. In a matchup of All-Star starters, Yandy Díaz hit his first career grand slam in a five-run fifth against Nestor Cortes.
DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner was to spend the night in the hospital after being struck in the head by a line drive in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. Manager Bud Black said Feltner was undergoing a battery of tests. Nick Castellanos lined a 1-0 slider back to the mound at 92.7 mph. The ball went off the right, back side of Feltner’s head. The right-hander immediately collapsed to the ground as the ball deflected to first baseman C.J. Cron. Castellanos was safe with a single. Feltner didn’t appear to lose consciousness. He lay on his stomach and was squinting his eyes as two members of the Colorado training stuff sprinted to the mound. With the crowd hushed, Feltner eventually sat up, then got to his feet.
