Chicago: Chicago overcame the early loss of starting pitcher Jason Hammel and the relievers still shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 2-0 victory on Monday which maintained the Cubs’ strong lead in the National League Central division.
In the NL East, Washington retained a one game lead by winning narrowly at Philadelphia, keeping the Nationals ahead of the New York Mets which defeated the Chicago White Sox courtesy of a welcome return to form by pitcher Matt Harvey.
Boston won at Baltimore in a clash of the two top teams in the American League East, opening a two game break.
Chicago’s Hammel exited after his right hamstring cramped while warming up for the third inning. Travis Wood came in and pitched four perfect innings in his longest stint of the season, and the bullpen closed it out.
Closer Hector Rondon converted a 20th straight save opportunity, dating back to last season.
Washington’s Tanner Roark threw seven sharp innings, giving up two runs, to steer the Nationals to a 4-3 win at Philadelphia. Daniel Murphy hit a solo homer and tiebreaking two-run single for the Nationals.
Consecutive doubles at the bottom of the ninth inning moved the Phillies within one run, but Washington closer Jonathon Papelbon produced a strike out and a line drive was caught to end it.
New York’s Matt Harvey returned to his best and guided the Mets to a 1-0 victory over the White Sox.
Harvey, who had not won in three weeks, struck out six over seven scoreless innings. His fastball velocity was up markedly, and he threw 61 of 87 pitches for strikes.
Chicago starter Jose Quintana was just as strong until he gave up a big home run to Neil Walker leading off the seventh inning. Quintana has lost four straight starts for the first time in his majors career.
Boston’s Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to 23 games and drove in two runs to lead the Red Sox to a 7-2 victory over Baltimore.
His streak is the second longest in the majors this season behind teammate Jackie Bradley, whose 29-game run ended last week.
Bradley hit a homer leading off the sixth inning, and the Red Sox made it safe with four runs in the eighth inning.
Texas’ Nomar Mazara hit a three-run homer to power the Rangers to a 9-2 win against Cleveland, retaining their leadership of the AL West.
Ian Desmond had a two-run shot for Texas, while Derek Holland pitched six innings and gave up one run to win for the first time in a month.
Pittsburgh’s Jeff Locke pitched a shutout as the Pirates routed Miami 10-0.
Locke did not walk a batter while throwing 67 of 105 pitches for strikes. It was his first complete game in 101 career starts.
This was the opener of a four-game series in Miami. The first two games were originally scheduled to be played in Puerto Rico, but were moved due to concerns of the Zika virus.
Toronto’s Marco Estrada pitched eight scoreless innings to guide the Blue Jays to a 4-2 win against the New York Yankees.
Estrada’s win came at a perfect time for the Blue Jays bullpen, which was worn down following Sunday’s 11-inning loss to Boston. Four Toronto relievers, including closer Roberto Osuna, were unavailable for this game.