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MLB roundup: Braves snap a 4-game skid

New York Mets' Amed Rosario, bottom, steals second base under the leaping tag from Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, Touki Toussaint pitched into the sixth inning and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves snapped a four-game skid with a 7-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

It was a big win for Atlanta, which began the day with a 5 1/2-game lead over Philadelphia and opens a four-game home series against the Phillies on Thursday.

The Braves need any combination of six victories or Philadelphia losses to clinch their first division title since 2013.

St. Louis, which had won three straight, began the day leading Colorado by 1 1/2 games for the second wild-card spot.

Rays 9, Rangers 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Tommy Pham homered twice while extending his on-base streak to 21 games and the late-surging Rays completed a three-game sweep of Texas.

The Rays (85-66), who have won 14 of their 17 games in September and have 11 remaining, entered the day 5½ games behind Oakland for the American League’s second wild card despite a record that would lead or share the lead in three divisions in baseball. But they are third in the AL East behind Boston and New York.

Adrian Beltre hit his 13th homer of the season for the last-place Rangers. It was the 475th of his career to match Stan Musial and Willie Stargell for 30th on the all-time list. He is 15th with his 3,159 career hits, 25 behind Cal Ripken Jr.

Twins 8, Tigers 2

DETROIT (AP) — Stephen Gonsalves threw six scoreless innings, and Minnesota’s offense pounded Detroit’s pitching, helping the Twins beat the Tigers.

Gabriel Moya started for Minnesota, but was replaced by Gonsalves in the second inning, marking the sixth time this season the Twins used an “opening pitcher.” Gonsalves (1-2) allowed one hit and a walk while striking out four.

Ehire Adrianza was 3 for 4 with three runs scored, Tyler Austin was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Willians Astudillo was 2 for 4 with three RBIs for the Twins, who swept the three-game series against the Tigers.

Pirates 2, Royals 1

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Archer pitched seven strong innings, and Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep of the Royals with a win.

In his most impressive start since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31, Archer (5-8) allowed one run on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. The right-hander made it out of the sixth inning for the first time in nine starts for the Pirates, who traded for him in hopes of making a playoff run.

Indians 4, White Sox 1

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jason Kipnis hit a grand slam with one out in the ninth inning and Cleveland rallied for a win over Chicago.

Kipnis hit a 3-2 pitch from Ian Hamilton into the right field seats for his 1,000th career hit and was doused with buckets of water by his teammates as he conducted a postgame television interview.

Brewers 7, Reds 0

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gio Gonzalez pitched six smooth innings on his 33rd birthday and Jesus Aguilar hit a three-run homer in the Brewers’ victory over Cincinnati.

Manny Pina also had a three-run shot and Aguilar finished with four RBIs. Gonzalez’s stellar showing helped the Brewers boost their lead for the top NL wild card to three games over St. Louis, which lost to Atlanta earlier.

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