MLB Roundup: Mets rally in ninth to beat Cardinals, Semien helps Rangers win

ST. LOUIS — Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith hustled for an infield single that drove in two pivotal runs, and the New York Mets capitalized on an uncharacteristic error by Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado to rally for five unearned runs with two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.

After the hit by Smith gave New York the lead, Brandon Nimmo capped the outburst with a two-run homer.

Max Scherzer struck out 10 over seven innings of two-hit ball in a scoreless duel with Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas. A two-run single by Tyler O’Neill off Trevor May (1-0) put St. Louis ahead in the eighth. Edwin Diaz worked the ninth for his second save.

New York was down to its final strike when Mark Canha hit a grounder to third against Giovanny Gallegos (0-1). Arenado threw high for an error that allowed Eduardo Escobar to score from second, making it 2-1.

GIANTS 4, BREWERS 2

MILWAUKEE — Luis Gonzalez hit his first major league homer, a two-run drive with two outs in the ninth inning that sent San Francisco past Milwaukee.

The Giants went 8-3 on their four-city trip. Their one-game visit to Milwaukee was part of a makeup for a series postponed because of the lockout, and San Francisco will return for a doubleheader in September.

Gonzalez connected after Wilmer Flores drew a two-out walk from Jake Cousins (2-1).

Joc Pederson hit his sixth homer for the Giants, a two-run blast that made it 2-1 in the eighth.

The Brewers tied it in their half on Willy Adames’ homer into the left-field bullpen off Jake McGee (1-1).

Camilo Doval threw a scoreless ninth to record his fourth save in five attempts.

BLUE JAYS 6, RED SOX 2

TORONTO — Bo Bichette broke an eighth-inning tie with his first career grand slam and Toronto beat slumping Boston.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Matt Chapman also homered for the Blue Jays. Jose Berrios allowed two runs in a season-high seven-plus innings and Adam Cimber (4-0) got three outs for his major league-leading fourth win as Toronto won for the fifth time in six games.

The long balls by Gurriel and Chapman came off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi, who allowed two runs and five hits in a season-high seven innings. Left-hander Matt Strahm (1-1) replaced Eovaldi in the eighth and allowed two baserunners who scored on Bichette’s slam off Tyler Danish.

RANGERS 6, ASTROS 2

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marcus Semien and Corey Seager had RBI singles in the decisive seventh inning, Adolis Garcia added a bases-clearing double in the eighth, and Texas beat Houston in the opener of a four-game series.

Pinch-hitter Willie Calhoun opened the Texas seventh with a double off just-in reliever Phil Maton (0-1), who after getting his only out allowed Semien’s single that tied the game at 2-2.

Matt Moore (1-0) worked a scoreless seventh before Matt Bush and Joe Balow each pitched an inning. Starter Dane Dunning struck out five and allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

PHILLIES 8, ROCKIES 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper homered and drove in two runs, Rhys Hoskins had three hits and the Philadelphia took advantage of several defensive miscues by Colorado.

Kyle Schwarber added two RBIs for the Phillies. Kyle Gibson (2-1) lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

Connor Joe and Randal Grichuk homered for Colorado. Kyle Freeland (0-3) allowed four runs — one earned — and six hits in five innings.