Cardinals Clip Pirates, Cubs Begin Series at Cincinnati

Cardinals Clip Pirates

(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Matt Holliday's go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning held up as the Cardinals clipped the Pirates 3-2 in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park. Jon Jay drove in the other run and then scored in the three-run seventh for the Redbirds, who have won six of their last eight.  John Lackey fired seven innings of one-run ball as he improved to 2-1 with St. Louis and 13-8 overall. Trevor Rosenthal closed it out for his 39th save.  Pedro Alvarez hit a solo homer in the second and Andrew McCutchen added a solo blast in the ninth for the Bucs, who have dropped two in-a-row since a three-game winning streak. Jared Hughes suffered the loss.

The Cardinals are shuffling their roster a bit. They recalled pitcher Tyler Lyons from Triple-A Memphis before Monday's game against the Pirates and optioned infielder Greg Garcia to Double-A Springfield. Lyons was 0-3 with a 5.46 ERA in seven games earlier this year.

Injured Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and pitcher Michael Wacha are taking the next step toward their big league return. Molina will work out today at Double-A Springfield as he works his way back from thumb surgery. He could be back with the Cardinals as soon as this weekend's series against the Cubs.  Wacha is slated to throw live batting practice to minor leaguers Wednesday as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

The Cardinals and Pirates continue their three-game series tonight at Busch Stadium. Lance Lynn is scheduled to start for St. Louis. He's 14-8 with a 2.78 ERA this season. Pittsburgh counters with Gerrit Cole, who's 7-4 with a 3.69 ERA. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.

Cubs Recall Soler, To Join Team In Cincinnati

(Cincinnati, OH) -- The Cubs are reportedly calling up outfielder Jorge Soler from Triple-A Iowa. The 22-year-old Cuban is ranked as Chicago's fifth-best prospect according to MLB.com and has soared through the system this year. Soler is reportedly set to join the team in Cincinnati Wednesday.

The Cubs start a three-game series with the Reds tonight in Cincinnati. Chicago sends Travis Wood to the mound. He's 7-11 with a 4.91 ERA. The Reds counter with Johnny Cueto, who is 15-7 with a 2.20 ERA. First pitch at Great American Ball Park is at 6:10.

White Sox Host Indians Tonight

(Chicago, IL) -- The White Sox try to end a six-game slide tonight in the first of a three-game series with the Indians. Jose Quintana takes the ball for Chicago. He's 6-10 with a 3.25 ERA. Cleveland counters with T.J. House, who is 2-3 with a 3.80 ERA. First pitch is at 7:10.

Phillies Hold Off Nationals

(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Phillies held off the Nationals to pull out a 3-2 win to open up a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Jonathan Papelbon made things interesting in the ninth, but still was able to clean it up for his 32nd save. A.J. Burnett improved to 7-14 dealing seven innings of one-run ball with 12 strikeouts. Cody Asche and Carlos Ruiz each hit a solo home run for Philadelphia, which has won four of five. Wilson Ramos and Anthony Rendon both connected for solo bombs in the defeat. Tanner Roark took the loss despite allowing only two runs over six innings. The Nats had won 12 of their past 13.

Brewers Blast Padres

(San Diego, CA) -- Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Braun both homered as the Brewers blasted the Padres 10-1 in the opener of a three-game set at Petco Park. Braun left in the seventh inning with a left quad contusion.  Ramirez and Gerardo Parra both plated three runs for Milwaukee, which has won two in-a-row since a three-game skid. Kyle Lohse tossed six innings of one-run ball to improve to 12-7. Alexi Amarista tripled in the lone run in the second inning for the Friars, who have dropped four of five. Eric Stults surrendered four runs in five frames to dip to 6-and-14 with the loss.

Rockies Beat Giants

(San Francisco, CA) -- Tyler Matzek tossed seven innings of two-run ball to lead the Rockies in a 3-2 victory over the Giants at AT&T Park. Matzek struck out seven while improving to 3-9 and LaTroy Hawkins locked down his 21st save. Justin Morneau was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run as Colorado won its sixth in eight games. Jake Peavy suffered the loss after pitching seven innings and giving up three runs, one earned. Andrew Susac hit a solo homer for San Francisco, which has dropped three straight.

Orioles Homer Their Way Past Rays

(Baltimore, MD) -- The Orioles bashed five homers on their way to a 9-1 victory over the Rays at Camden Yards. Delmon Young hit a three-run shot which was followed by solo blasts from J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis in the fifth. Nick Markakis went yard on a two-run blast while Steve Pearce followed with a solo dinger. Chris Tillman improved to 11-5 after going seven innings and allowing an unearned run.  Baltimore ended a three-game slide and maintained a six-game lead in the AL East. Jake Odorizzi allowed eight runs in four-plus innings, falling to 9-11 for Tampa Bay. The Rays managed just four hits while losing their sixth in nine games.

Red Sox Edge Blue Jays In Extras

(Toronto, Ontario) -- Yoenis Cespedes singled in a run in the top of the tenth to send the Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run homer while Mookie Betts added a solo shot as Boston ended an eight-game slide. Clay Buchholz allowed three runs over 8 1/3 innings while Koji Uehara earned the win and Craig Breslow picked up his first save. J.A. Happ struck out eight over six innings of three-run ball for Toronto while Aaron Sanchez took the loss. Edwin Encarnacion doubled in a pair of runs for the Jays, who have lost nine of 12.

Yankees Roast Royals

(Kansas City, MO) -- Derek Jeter drove in two runs in his final visit to Kauffman Stadium as the Yankees cruised past the Royals 8-1. Jacoby Ellsbury belted a two-run homer and totaled three RBI while Martin Prado and Stephen Drew jacked solo shots. Michael Pineda threw 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball to pick up the win as New York extended its winning streak to five. James Shields got tagged for six runs in 6 2/3 innings to fall to 12-7 for Kansas City, which has lost back-to-back games for the first time this month. Mike Moustakas went deep for the team's lone run.

Samardzija Deals Athletics Past Astros

(Houston, TX) -- Jeff Samardzija struck out 10 in eight innings of two-run ball to help guide the A's to an 8-2 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Samardzija improved to 4-3 since joining Oakland, which has won three of its last four. Josh Reddick blasted a two-run homer and Josh Donaldson went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the win.  Marwin Gonzalez tallied a trio of hits and Chris Carter launched a two-run shot for Houston. Scott Feldman got tagged for three runs in seven innings of work for his 10th loss as the Astros dropped their third straight.

Rangers Blank Mariners

(Seattle, WA) -- Miles Mikolas fanned five batters in eight shutout innings to lead the Rangers to a 2-0 win over the Mariners at Safeco Field. Mikolas improved to 2-5 with the win and Neftali Feliz notched the save for Texas, which has won back-to-back games for just the second time since June 29. J.P. Arencibia and Rougned Odor batted in a run in victory. Roenis Elias took a tough loss giving up just one run in five frames of work while striking out six. Logan Morrison finished with two of the team's four hits as Seattle's three-game winning streak came to an end.

Marlins Power Past Angels

(Anaheim, CA) -- Giancarlo Stanton cracked a three-run homer to help the Marlins get by the Angels, 7-1, in the first of three in Anaheim. It was Stanton's 33rd homer of the season. Jarred Cosart improved to 2-1 with Miami and 11-8 overall after allowing one run and striking out four over 7 2/3 innings. Christian Yelich compiled three hits, two RBI and two runs scored as Miami got back to .500 at 65-65. Kole Calhoun drove in the only run for LA in defeat. Wade LeBlanc, getting the start for the injured Garrett Richards, allowed six runs and didn't make it out of the fourth inning. Los Angeles is once again tied with the A's at the top of the AL West.

Monday, August 25 Scoreboard

MLB National League

Philadelphia Phillies 3, Washington Nationals 2

St. Louis Cardinals 3, Pittsburgh Pirates 2

Milwaukee Brewers 10, San Diego Padres 1

Colorado Rockies 3, San Francisco Giants 2

MLB American League

Baltimore Orioles 9, Tampa Bay Rays 1

Boston Red Sox 4, Toronto Blue Jays 3 (10 inn)

New York Yankees 8, Kansas City Royals 1

Oakland Athletics 8, Houston Astros 2

Texas Rangers 2, Seattle Mariners 0

MLB Interleague

Miami Marlins 7, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1

Tuesday, August 26 Schedule (All Times Central)

MLB National League

6:05 p.m. - Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies

6:05 p.m. - St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates

6:10 p.m. - Atlanta Braves at New York Mets

6:10 p.m. - Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds

8:40 p.m. - Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks

9:10 p.m. - Milwaukee Brewers at San Diego Padres

9:15 p.m. - Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants

MLB American League

6:05 p.m. - Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles

6:07 p.m. - Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays

6:08 p.m. - New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers

7:10 p.m. - Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox

7:10 p.m. - Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals

7:10 p.m. - Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros

9:10 p.m. - Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners

MLB Interleague

9:05 p.m. - Miami Marlins at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim