Dodgers Give Up 11 Runs In Win Over Rockies – MLB Roundup For Sept. 3rd

UNDATED (AP) — There's a first-place tie in the American League West, and a new leader in the National League Central.

Oakland and Texas are tied for first in the AL West after the Athletics knocked off the Rangers 4-2. The key blow was a two-run homer by Coco Crisp, a fifth-inning blast that stayed just fair of the left-field foul pole and was confirmed by video review.

Yoenis Cespedes (yoh-EH'-nehs SEHS'-peh-dehs) hit a solo homer and Dan Straily worked five innings to win back-to-back starts for the first time since early July. Straily allowed David Murphy's two-run homer and just two other hits in the Athletics' fourth straight win.

Pittsburgh is back atop the NL Central, moving a game ahead of St. Louis.

Neil Walker belted a three-run homer that put the Pirates ahead 5-1 in the seventh inning of a 5-2 verdict over the Brewers in Milwaukee. Charlie Morton gave up just one earned run and seven hits in seven innings to win his fourth straight decision and help the Bucs capture the opener of a nine-day road swing.

The Cardinals were 7-2 losers at Cincinnati as Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Votto (VAH'-toh) homered off Adam Wainwright. Mat Latos (LAY'-tohs) tossed a four-hitter for the Reds, who remain 3 ½ games behind Pittsburgh.

Detroit's lead in the AL Central is back up to 8 ½ games over Cleveland.

Doug Fister scattered four hits in seven innings as the Tigers blanked Boston 3-0. Prince Fielder and Andy Dirks each drove in a run as the Tigers won for the fourth time in five games.

Baltimore dealt the Indians a 7-2 loss as Nate McLouth hit a solo homer and had three RBIs. Matt Wieters (WEE'-turz) added a two-run blast and Brian Roberts had two RBIs to help Bud Norris improve to 4-0 since joining the Orioles.

Tampa Bay's 11-2 loss to the Angels keeps the Red Sox 5 ½ games ahead of the second-place Rays in the AL East. Erick Aybar (EYE'-bahr) hit a two-run homer and a two-run triple as part of the Angels' 16-hit attack.

Los Angeles reached Tampa starter David Archer for five runs and nine hits in just 3 2/3 innings.

Also in the majors, Clayton Kershaw improved to 14-8 despite allowing five runs and 11 hits in five innings of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 10-8 victory at Colorado. Andre Ethier (EE'-thee-ur) had three hits, including a two-run homer, to lift the Dodgers to their fifth straight victory. Los Angeles finished the game without rookie standout Yasiel Puig (YAH'-see-ul pweeg), who scored the go-ahead run before leaving with a strained right knee.

The Dodgers' lead in the NL West is a whopping 12 ½ games following Arizona's 4-1 loss to Toronto. Esmil Rogers allowed just one hit over 6 1/3 innings, retiring 13 straight at one point. Edwin Encarnacion (ehn-kahr-nah-see-OHN') smacked a two-run homer in the ninth to give the Blue Jays breathing room.

Freddie Freeman homered, doubled and tied a career high with five RBIs as Atlanta hammered the New York Mets 13-5, reducing the Braves' magic number to 11 for winning the NL East. Freeman supplied a two-run double in the first inning and a three-run double to put the Braves up 6-1 in the second. Jordan Schafer was 4-for-5 with three stolen bases before leaving the game with a lower back strain.

Alex Rodriguez reached base twice while the New York Yankees put together an eight-run fourth to beat the Chicago White Sox 9-1. Derek Jeter had two hits and two RBIs to support David Huff, who worked 5 2/3 innings in relief of starter Phil Hughes following a two-hour rain delay.

Carlos Ruiz capped his two-RBI night by supplying the tiebreaking, run-scoring single in the eighth to complete Philadelphia's comeback in a 3-2 win over Washington. Jimmy Rollins tied the game with an RBI double before scoring the game-winning run.

Ian Kennedy gave up one run and five hits in six innings of San Diego's 4-1 win over San Francisco. Kennedy is 3-1 with a 4.04 ERA since the Padres got him in a trade with Arizona on July 31.

Florida beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 as Henderson Alvarez smacked his first career homer and pitched six innings before leaving with a hamstring injury. Alvarez cracked a three-run shot and also had a single and a sacrifice bunt.

Rookie Chris Colabello homered twice, including a tiebreaking grand slam in the ninth inning to lift Minnesota over Houston 10-6. The Twins trailed 5-1 before Colabello, Trevor Plouffe (ploof) and Brian Dozier hit solo homers.

Felix Hernandez allowed a tiebreaking run on a wild pitch and lost his fourth straight start as Kansas City downed Seattle 3-1. Will Smith struck out a career-high eight over 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win.

UNDATED (AP) — The National League West-leading Dodgers have acquired veteran infielder Michael Young from Philadelphia for a minor league pitcher. Young was in uniform for Monday's game at Colorado but not in the starting lineup. Young, who waived his no trade clause to make the move, hit .276 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs with the Phillies this season.

In other baseball news:

— The Atlanta Braves recalled right-hander Kameron Loe from Triple-A Gwinnett and announced he will make a fill-in start against the Mets on Wednesday. Gonzalez said the remainder of the rotation will stay on schedule.

— The Reds have promoted speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton to help them try to catch the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central. It's Hamilton's first time in the majors. Last year, he set a professional baseball single-season record by stealing 175 bases in Class A and Double-A. He was promoted to Triple-A for the first time this season and stole 75 bases while batting .256 in 123 games.