Atlanta • Boston hitters wore down Atlanta starter Sean Newcomb with their patient approach. It was a familiar strategy in yet another interleague win for the best team in the majors.
Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings, and the Red Sox beat the Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.
Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high.
“There definitely were some close pitches where they were being picky,” Newcomb said when asked about the disciplined approach of Boston’s hitters.
It was Boston’s fourth game this season with at least nine walks, the most in the American League. The Red Sox are undefeated in 23 games in which they have drawn six or more walks.
“Today he had that fastball up and away early,” said Boston manager Alex Cora of Newcomb. “But then we were disciplined enough to lay off. ... We got to their bullpen.”
Newcomb lasted only 41⁄3 innings, allowing three runs and four hits.
The Red Sox (96-44) have won 20 more games than the Braves (76-62). Boston has not lost any of its last 12 series against NL teams and has won 24 of its last 28 interleague games.
Porcello (16-7) allowed his only run on Kurt Suzuki’s second-inning homer . He struck out five and walked one.
“I think even though they hit one home run, not giving up the big hit and not giving up free passes to guys I didn’t want to give free passes to was the difference tonight,” Porcello said.
Brewers 11, Cubs 1 • In Milwaukee, Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and the Brewers romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders. Milwaukee won for the fifth time in its last six meetings with its division rival.
Indians 9, Royals 3 • In Cleveland, Mike Clevinger struck out 10, Francisco Lindor hit another leadoff homer and the Indians ended a three-game losing streak and reduced their magic number to 11 for clinching a third straight AL Central title with a win over Kansas City.
Rays 4, Blue Jays 0 • In Toronto, Ryne Stanek became the first rookie pitcher in 75 years to start consecutive games, and combined with six relievers on a three-hitter in Tampa Bay’s victory over Toronto, which extended the Rays’ winning streak to four.
Phillies 9, Marlins 4 • In Miami, Carlos Santana homered to start a four-run first inning and Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Miami. Jake Arrieta (10-9) struck out a season-high 11 and earned his first win since July 31.
Pirates 7, Reds 3 • In Pittsburgh, Starling Marte hit a two-run homer, Gregory Polanco had a two-run double and the Pirates beat Cincinnati. Joe Musgrove (6-8) took a shutout into the seventh inning for the Pirates, who improved to 12-4 against the Reds this season.
Rangers 4, Angels 2 • In Arlington, Texas, Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus each hit a solo homer in the fourth inning to put the Rangers ahead to stay in a victory over Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani hit his 16th homer for the Angels, a leadoff shot in the sixth that chased Texas starter Mike Minor (11-7).
Astros 5, Twins 2 • In Houston, Alex Bregman hit three doubles and Yuli Gurriel homered for the second game in a row, leading Justin Verlander and the Astros over Minnesota for their fourth straight win. Verlander (14-9) yielded one run and three hits while fanning eight over seven innings.
Cardinals 11, Nationals 8 • In Washington, Yadier Molina hit a grand slam, Marcell Ozuna homered twice and St. Louis beat the Nationals. Molina provided a cushion for St. Louis via his sixth career slam, which made it 11-5 with two outs in the ninth. The Cardinals, who occupy the second NL wild card spot, hit five homers overall as they stopped a three-game skid.
Rockies 6, Giants 2 • In Denver, Ryan McMahon had a pinch-hit home run and Carlos Gonzalez tripled with the bases loaded during a five-run seventh inning that carried NL West-leading Colorado past San Francisco. David Dahl also homered for the Rockies, who have a lead in the division in September or October for the first time since 1995.
Tigers 8, White Sox 3 • In Chicago, Mikie Mahtook hit a two-run homer and rookie Grayson Greiner drove in three runs as Francisco Liriano won for the first time in over four months, as Detroit beat the White Sox.
