Chamberlain pitches Yankees to 7th straight win
Joba Chamberlain struck out a career-high nine, Alex Rodriguez had another key hit, and the host New York Yankees beat San Diego 2-1 on Thursday for their seventh straight victory.
The Yankees set up both of their runs with stolen bases and cut down Adrian Gonzalez twice at home plate in the first four innings.
Mariano Rivera struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save in 20 chances, completing New York's second consecutive three-game sweep against a National League team.
New York extended its longest winning streak of the season and improved to seven games above .500 for the first time this season.
Rodriguez, who homered in the previous four games, drove in the tiebreaking run in the sixth with a single off Josh Banks (2-1). Derek Jeter had singled, stole second and moved up on a grounder.
The Padres have dropped five of six.
Chamberlain allowed 1 run in 5¿ innings but has yet to earn a decision in 4 career starts. Jose Veras (2-0) relieved Chamberlain and pitched 1½ innings to earn the win.
Twins 9, Nationals 3: Michael Cuddyer hit a 2-run triple and reached base all four times up, and Glen Perkins won for the first time in 5 starts as host Minnesota completed a three-game sweep of Washington. Perkins (3-2) gave up 10 hits in 8 innings, including 9 singles.
Brewers 8, Blue Jays 7: Dave Bush took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before it was broken up by the player he was traded for, and host Milwaukee barely held on to beat Toronto. Lyle Overbay opened the eighth by slicing a triple just beyond the reach of diving left fielder Ryan Braun. Bush (3-7) was dealt to the Brewers in 2005 for Overbay.
Rangers 5, Braves 4: Michael Young broke out of a slump with a game-ending RBI single, and rookie Brandon Boggs hit a 3-run homer as host Texas rallied twice to defeat Atlanta. The Braves' Chipper Jones went 0-for-4 as his major-league-leading batting average (.394) fell below .400 for the first time since April 12.
Royals 4, Cardinals 1: Zack Greinke and two relievers combined on a 2-hitter, and Kansas City completed its first three-game sweep of St. Louis since 2001. Mark Teahen missed the cycle by a double and had 3 RBI for the Royals, who are 7-2 in interleague play.
Diamondbacks 2, Athletics 1: Justin Upton hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to send host Arizona past Oakland. Upton drove a 3-2 pitch from Keith Foulke (0-2) into the pool area in right-center field to open the eighth, his ninth homer. Upton, who was 2-for-13 on the Diamondbacks' six-game homestand, also doubled and scored Arizona's other run in the fourth.
National League
Dodgers 7, Reds 4: Matt Kemp emerged from his slump by hitting a homer and a 2-run double, and Eric Stults pitched into the seventh inning in his season debut, leading Los Angeles to a victory and a three-game sweep of host Cincinnati.