Tactical Reds hand Cubs a thrashing
Chicago Cubs beaten 7-2 in the MLB while JJ Hardy helps Orioles to a close win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Reds stole second base six times in the first four innings and four were turned into runs during a 7-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Shortstop Zack Cozart had three hits and two stolen bases, and first baseman Todd Frazier had two hits, two RBIs and two stolen bases for the Reds.
Elsewhere, Alex Avila lined the first pitch he saw in the ninth inning to score pinch runner Bryan Holaday from second base and give the Detroit Tigers a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees.
Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit set a Major-League record for consecutive batters retired while pitching the San Francisco Giants to a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Petit (4-3), who was promoted to the starting rotation earlier this week to fill the spot vacated by demoted right-hander Tim Lincecum, started his streak on July 22 and continued through six subsequent relief appearances.
He set the record of 46 successive batters, when he struck out Rockies second baseman Charlie Culberson on a curveball in the dirt for the second out of the third inning.
JJ Hardy blooped an RBI single to short right field in the seventh inning that gave the Baltimore Orioles a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Orioles (76-56) stretched their American League East lead over the Yankees (69-63) to seven games with 30 to play.
Other reuslts:
Twins 11, Royals 5
Braves 6, Mets 1
Astros 4, Rangers 2
Indians 3, White Sox 2
Angels 4, Athletics 3 (10 innings)