Fryer Guides Cards To Win, Cubs, White Sox Lose Close Ones

Given a rare chance to start, Eric Fryer showed the St. Louis Cardinals what he is capable of.

Fryer had three hits, including a go-ahead double with two outs in the eighth inning during Sunday's 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds 4-3.

A backup to All-Star catcher Yadier Molina, Fryer got his first start this season and is 6 for 6 at the plate. Fryer also threw out Brandon Phillips attempting to steal in the sixth.

"It's a combination of everything," Fryer said. "As a catcher, you take more pride in defense."

Cardinals starter Michael Wacha, who gave up one earned run and seven hits, felt Fryer's greatest value was with his pitch-calling skills.

"He was the man today," Wacha said. "We were on the same page right from the start. He did a great job mixing up the pitches."

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny agreed.

"All the way across, he had a great day," Matheny said. "It's always good when you can get Yadi a day off and still get the job done."

Matt Carpenter and Jedd Gyorko hit solo homers for St. Louis, which has won three of its last four. Ten of the Cardinals' 21 homers this season were hit in the three-game series against the Reds, who have lost five of six.

Kevin Siegrist (2-0) entered with a runner at second and two outs in the seventh, struck out Zack Cozart and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, fanning two more. Trevor Rosenthal struck out his last two batters in a perfect ninth for his third save in as many chances.

Cincinnati's Jon Moscot gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings in his first start this season. He had been on the disabled list due to a strained left intercostal muscle.

Rockies 2, Cubs 0

Tyler Chatwood really had something to talk about after his performance at Wrigley Field.

Chatwood kept showing progress in his return from a second Tommy John surgery, pitching seven sharp innings as the Colorado Rockies slowed the Chicago Cubs 2-0 Sunday.

Nolan Arenado backed Chatwood (2-1) with two home runs.

Chatwood gave up two hits, struck out seven and walked one. He missed all of 2015 and most of 2014 because of his elbow injury.

"Got to be up there after the last two years, but the biggest thing is we were able to win a series against a really good team," he said.

The Rockies took two of three for their first series win at Wrigley since 2011. The Cubs were trying to reach 10 wins in the first 12 games for the first time since 1969.

Chatwood, Miguel Castro and Jake McGee combined to hold the Cubs to three hits. Chicago had been averaging 6.45 runs per game, second in the majors.

"Chatwood was outstanding," manager Walt Weiss said. "To shut down that lineup, it's quite a feat."

The Cubs tried to come back in the ninth. Jason Heyward doubled with one out and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch with two outs before McGee struck out Kris Bryant for his third save.

Chatwood threw 100 pitches in his third start since April 29, 2014.

Rays 3, White Sox 2

Matt Moore is two years removed from Tommy John surgery and is looking again like a top-notch starter for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Moore struck out 10 over 6 1/3 innings, Brandon Guyer tied a career high with four hits and the Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Sunday.

"Matt Moore was outstanding, to say the least," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said.

Moore (1-0) allowed two runs and five hits, and improved to 4-1 with a 1.45 ERA in five career starts against the White Sox. After Enny Romero worked a perfect inning, Alex Colome got the final five outs for the Rays' first save this season.

Moore was limited to 14 starts the previous two seasons due to elbow surgery in April 2014.

"I do feel strong right now, which is something that the last 24 months has not been a word I've been using lot," Moore said. "I still feel like there's a lot of things I'm working on."

Moore struck out Todd Frazier and Jerry Sands, Chicago's fourth- and fifth-place hitters, three times apiece.

Sunday, April 17 Scoreboard
    
New York Yankees 4, Seattle 3
    
New York Mets 6, Cleveland 0

Atlanta 6, Miami 5 (F/10)
    
Tampa Bay 3, Chicago White Sox 2

Toronto 5, Boston 3    
    
Philadelphia 3, Washington 2 (F/10)    
    
Pittsburgh 9, Milwaukee 3    
        
Houston 5, Detroit 4
    
St. Louis 4, Cincinnati 3

Minnesota 3, Los Angels Angels 2 (F/12)

Colorado 2, Chicago Cubs 0

Baltimore at Texas, Postponed            
    
Oakland 3, Kansas City 2

Arizona 7, San Diego 3

Los Angeles Dodgers 3, San Francisco 1

Monday, April 18 Schedule (All Times Central)

Toronto at Boston, 9:05 a.m.

New York Mets at Philadelphia, 5:05 p.m.

Colorado at Cincinnati, 5:10 p.m.

Washington at Miami, 5:10 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis, 6 p.m.

Los Angeles at Chicago White Sox, 6:10 p.m.

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 6:10 p.m.

Arizona at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m.