Verlander pulled after 6 no-hit innings, Astros beat Twins

HOUSTON (AP) – Justin Verlander was pulled after pitching six no-hit innings in his major league-leading 16th win and the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Tuesday night in Carlos Correa’s return to Houston. Verlander (16-3) allowed just one runner to reach base – Nick Gordon struck out in the second inning on a wild pitch to get aboard. The Astros ace fanned 10 and lowered his MLB-best ERA to 1.87 in his spectacular return after missing almost two seasons after Tommy John surgery. Ryne Stanek relieved to begin the seventh and Correa led off with Minnesota’s first hit. The Twins scored twice in the ninth and had the bases loaded before Bryan Abreu struck out Jake Cave to secure his second save. Aaron Sanchez (0-1) allowed two runs on six hits in four innings. YANKEES 4, METS 2 NEW YORK (AP) – Aaron Judge hit a 453-foot drive halfway up the bleachers for his 48th home run and added an RBI single during a seventh-inning rally, boosting the Yankees past the Mets for a two-game Subway Series sweep. Rookie Clarke Schmidt (5-2) worked three innings of scoreless relief, departing in the ninth after loading the bases with two outs. Wandy Peralta relieved and retired Francisco Lindor on a flyout for his second save. Andrew Benintendi had his third straight big day at the plate, singling in the go-ahead run for a 3-2 lead in the seventh against Joely Rodríguez (0-3). The Yankees have won three straight for only the second time since the All-Star break. CARDINALS 13, CUBS 3, GAME 2 CUBS 2, CARDINALS 0, GAME 1 CHICAGO (AP) – Nolan Arenado and Tyler O’Neill homered in a five-run fourth inning, Corey Dickerson had four hits and St. Louis split a doubleheader with Chicago. The Cubs blanked the Cardinals 2-0 in the opener, ending St. Louis’ season-best eight-game winning streak. The NL Central-leading Cardinals got back on track in the nightcap with 16 hits. Tommy Edman had a solo homer, a double and three RBIs. Jake Woodford (3-0) allowed one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings in his first start this season. Hitless in the opener, Arenado went 3-for-4 in the nightcap, taking Adrian Sampson (1-4) deep in the fourth. In the opener, Javier Assad pitched four scoreless innings in his major league debut. Relievers Michael Rucker (3-1), Sean Newcomb, Erich Uelmen and Brandon Hughes allowed one hit over the final five innings. Hughes picked up his third save. Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki drove in runs off St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright (9-9) in the third. Rookie Christopher Morel had two hits for the Cubs. RAYS 11, ANGELS 1 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Christian Bethancourt had two run-scoring hits in a six-run seventh inning and later moved from behind the plate to pitch a scoreless ninth as Tampa Bay beat Los Angeles. The Rays own the top AL wild-card spot. They have won four straight and 10 of 12. Bethancourt homered and hit a two-run single. On the mound, his fastball topped out at 95 mph as he allowed two hits and struck out Luis Rengifo. Corey Kluber (8-7) gave up one run on five hits in six innings. Manuel Margot and Harold Ramirez had run-scoring singles in the third off José Suarez (4-6). BRAVES 6, PIRATES 1 PITTSBURGH (AP) – Max Fried allowed three hits in eight innings as Atlanta beat Pittsburgh. Fried (12-4) struck out seven and walked one, retiring 20 of the final 23 batters he faced, and allowed one run. The Braves have won 13 of 15, while the Pirates have dropped 10 of 12. Travis d’Arnaud homered off JT Brubaker (3-11) for the first of five Atlanta runs in the fifth. ORIOLES 5, WHITE SOX 3 BALTIMORE (AP) – Ryan Mountcastle hit a three-run homer off Dylan Cease in the first inning and Baltimore held off Chicago.