Defense, Lackey Guide Cardinals, Cubs Drop Game To Giants

John Lackey pitches to get balls in play, allowing his defense to do the work for him. They sure did Wednesday night against Arizona, just as they have throughout this series in the desert.

Lackey pitched seven strong innings and St. Louis' defense was stellar behind him, leading the Cardinals to a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Lackey (11-8) bounced back from a shaky start, giving up a solo homer to Paul Goldschmidt in the first inning and little else.

His defense played a big role in it, turning three doubles plays to push their total to eight in the series.

Second baseman Kolten Wong had two stellar stops, including one to start an inning-ending double play in the fifth. Centerfielder Tommy Pham also robbed Aaron Hill of extra bases in the fourth inning by diving to snare a line drive in the gap.

Giants 4, Cubs 2

Jake Peavy considers himself a No. 1 starter regardless of when he pitches in San Francisco's rotation. All he cares about is delivering every fifth day, especially as September approaches with the World Series champion Giants in another tight playoff chase.

Buster Posey followed Brandon Belt's leadoff triple in the sixth inning with a go-ahead double, Peavy won for the second time in six starts, and the Giants beat the Cubs 4-2 on Wednesday night to stop Chicago's six-game winning streak.

Kelby Tomlinson added an RBI double of his own in the sixth against Kyle Hendricks as the Giants ended a three-game slide with their second victory in seven games. Nori Aoki homered for San Francisco.

With their first win in six meetings this month against the Cubs, San Francisco avoided its first six-game skid in the series since 1993-94.

Red Sox 3, White Sox 0

For one night at least, it was all there for Rick Porcello. He kept his fastball down, and stepped up in every big spot. It was one happy return to the majors.

Porcello pitched seven sharp innings in his first start since he was sidelined by a triceps injury, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 3-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

Porcello and Chris Sale had nearly identical lines, but Travis Shaw hit a two-run homer off Nate Jones (1-1) with two outs in the eighth. Robbie Ross Jr. then got three outs for the Red Sox before Junichi Tazawa finished the six-hitter for his third save in nine chances.

Porcello (6-11) allowed five hits, struck out five and walked none in one of his best starts in a disappointing debut season with Boston. The right-hander was acquired in a December trade with Detroit, and then agreed to an $82.5 million, four-year contract in April.

It was Porcello's first win in six weeks. He had been shelved by a right triceps strain since he was tagged for five earned runs and 10 hits in two-plus innings in a loss to the White Sox on July 29.

Wednesday, August 26 Scoreboard

Houston 6, New York Yankees 2

Seattle 8, Oakland 2

San Diego 6, Washington 5

New York Mets 9, Philadelphia 4

Detroit 5, Los Angeles Angels 0

Cleveland 6, Milwaukee 2

Colorado 6, Atlanta 3

Los Angeles Dodgers 7, Cincinnati 4

Pittsburgh 7, Miami 2

Minnesota 5, Tampa Bay 3

Toronto 12, Texas 4

Boston 3, Chicago White Sox 0

Baltimore 8, Kansas City 5

St. Louis 3, Arizona 1

San Francisco 4, Chicago Cubs 2

Thursday, August 27 Schedule (All Times Central)

Los Angeles at Cincinnati, 11:35 a.m.

Los Angeles at Detroit, 12:08 p.m.

Toronto at Texas, 1:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Kansas City, 1:10 p.m.

Chicago at San Francisco, 2:45 p.m.

San Diego at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

New York at Philadelphia, 6:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Miami, 6:10 p.m.

Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 6:10 p.m.

Seattle at Chicago, 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Arizona, 8:40 p.m.