Cubs hold on to rob the Pirates

Felix Doubront pitched six scoreless innings and rookies Javier Baez and Matt Szczur homered as the Chicago Cubs held on to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 and snap a season-worst seven-game losing streak.

Doubront (2-1) allowed four hits in his third start since being acquired from the Boston Red Sox in a trade. He helped send the Pirates to just their second loss in their last nine games.

Elsewhere, Bryce Harper continued to thrive when the Washington Nationals’ left fielder hit a mammoth two-run homer in the second inning to jumpstart a 10-3 rout of the New York Mets.

The Nationals (84-63) racked up 16 hits – and had at least one in every inning – in beating the Mets for the 13th time in the last 14 games at Citi Field.

Centre fielder Billy Hamilton’s two-run triple in the seventh inning gave the Cincinnati Reds some much-needed breathing room in a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Other results:

Royals 7, Red Sox 1

Yankees 3, Orioles 2

Cardinals 5, Rockies 4

Blue Jays 6, Rays 3

Rangers 3, Braves 2

White Sox 5, Twins 1 (Game 1)

White Sox 7, Twins 6 (Game 2)

Phillies 2, Marlins 1

Tigers 5, Indians 4

Diamondbacks 10, Padres 4

Dodgers 17, Giants 0

Angels 5, Astros 2

As 3, Mariners 2 (10 innings)