Wong helps end Familia’s streak
NEW YORK >> Just shy of a year. That’s how long Jeurys Familia’s saves streak lasted — until Yadier Molina ended it with one perfectly timed swing.
Molina and pinch hitter Kolten Wong each stroked an RBI double in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped Familia’s string of 52 straight saves in rallying to beat the New York Mets 5-4 on Wednesday night.
Yoenis Cespedes hit a go-ahead homer off Adam Wainwright to cap a three-run comeback in the seventh that gave the Mets a 4-3 lead. But then Familia, who hadn’t blown a regular-season save opportunity since July 30 last year, finally faltered.
Jedd Gyorko drew a four-pitch walk with one out in the ninth and was replaced by pinch runner Randal Grichuk. Molina hit the next pitch to deep center field, and Grichuk scored standing up to tie it.
Molina was thrown out at third by Familia (2-2) on pinch hitter Jeremy Hazelbaker’s comebacker, but Hazelbaker stole second and scored when Wong lined a double just inside the left-field line.
“That was probably one of the top, top things I’ve experienced in a while,” said Wong, who lost his everyday job at second base this season and got demoted to the minors last month. “To see some kind of light at the end of the tunnel was definitely something I needed and something that I’ve been wanting for long, long time.”
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Familia’s franchise-record saves streak was the third-longest in major league history behind Tom Gordon (54) and Eric Gagne (84).
Reds 2, Giants 1
SAN FRANCISCO >> Jay Bruce homered in his career-high fifth straight game, connecting off Madison Bumgarner in Cincinnati’s victory over slumping San Francisco.
Bruce broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning with his sixth homer during his five-game streak and 25th of the season.
Marlins 11, Phillies 1
MIAMI >> Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer in the first inning to lead a 16-hit attack in Miami’s victory over Philadelphia.
Stanton hit his 22nd homer in support of Adam Conley (7-5), who pitched around eight hits and three walks to throw 62⁄3 scoreless innings.
Diamondbacks 8, Brewers 1
MILWAUKEE >> Yasmany Tomas hit two home runs, Archie Bradley pitched seven innings and Arizona took advantage of Milwaukee’s season-high five errors.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Tigers 4, Red Sox 3
BOSTON >> Miguel Cabrera hit a tie-breaking home run in the ninth inning that bounced off the top of the wall and into Boston’s bullpen, lifting Detroit past the Red Sox for a three-game sweep.
James McCann also hit a solo homer, and Victor Martinez had four singles, a walk and drove in two runs for Detroit. The Tigers have won five of seven.
Athletics 6, Rangers 4
ARLINGTON, Texas >> Khris Davis homered twice, Coco Crisp also went deep and Oakland beat AL West-leading Texas.
Ryan Dull (5-2) threw 11⁄3 perfect innings in relief of Sean Manaea. Ryan Madson worked the ninth for his 22nd save.
Astros 4, Yankees 1
HOUSTON >> Lance McCullers struck out 10 in six innings, Colby Rasmus broke out of a slump with a two-run homer and Houston beat New York.
McCullers (6-4) allowed five hits and one run and tied a season high by fanning 10 for the second straight game.
Royals 7, Angels 5
KANSAS CITY, Mo. >> Raul Mondesi had a bunt single for his first big league hit, with two runs scoring on the play on pitcher Matt Shoemaker’s throwing error, and Kansas City beat Los Angeles.
INTERLEAGUE
Nationals 4, Indians 1
CLEVELAND >> Stephen Strasburg shut down Cleveland for seven innings and bounced back from his only loss this season, leading Washington past the Indians.
Strasburg (14-1) began the season with 13 straight wins before he was beaten by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 21. The powerful right-hander shook off that blemish, holding the Indians to three hits.
Rays 3, Dodgers 1
LOS ANGELES >> Matt Moore pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning, Evan Longoria hit a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays won at Dodger Stadium for the first time.
Moore (7-7) struck out five and allowed an unearned run. Alex Colome pitched a perfect ninth for his 22nd save in 23 chances.
Padres 8, Blue Jays 4
TORONTO >> Adam Rosales hit a two-run home run, Alex Dickerson and Brett Wallace each hit solo shots and San Diego beat Toronto to avoid a three-game sweep.
Luis Perdomo (5-4) allowed four runs and six hits in 52⁄3 innings.
Pirates 10, Mariners 1
PITTSBURGH >> Gerrit Cole threw a three-hitter for his first career complete game and slumping Andrew McCutchen had a three-run home run and two other hits in Pittsburgh’s victory over Seattle.
Making the 88th start of his four-year career, Cole (6-6) struck out six and walked one while winning for the first time since May 20.
Braves 9, Twins 7
MINNEAPOLIS >> Freddie Freeman homered, doubled and tied a career high with five RBIs and Atlanta held off Minnesota.
Mike Foltynewicz (4-4) got the win despite giving up seven runs and 12 hits in 51⁄3 innings.
Rockies 3, Orioles 1
BALTIMORE >> Nick Hundley broke up Dylan Bundy’s no-hit bid with a sixth-inning homer, and Colorado used a strong pitching performance by Jon Gray to beat Baltimore.