Roark gem sends Nats clear of Braves

TannerRoark_high_s

The Nats were led to a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds by Tanner Roark's strong seven-plus innings on the mound as he earned his 10th win of the season, while Denard Span chalked four hits for the National League's East division pace-setters.

Washington moved further clear of the Braves, who fell to a second consecutive loss as they were humbled 5-2 by the San Diego Padres.

Tommy Medica had four hits - all singles - and batted in a run for the Padres, who tallied 13 hits amongst them.

Eight games behind the Nats, the Miami Marlins shut out the Houston Astros 2-0, while the New York Mets were 3-2 victors over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Philadelphia Phillies remain bottom of the NL East, despite their 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks for their second straight success.

The Brewers' defeat did not cost them any ground in the NL Central race, as rivals the Pittsburgh Pirates and St Louis Cardinals both lost to remain three games back.

A seven-run seventh inning powered the Colorado Rockies to an 8-1 win over the Pirates, while the Cardinals fell to the Chicago Cubs 7-6.

The Los Angeles Dodgers cut the gap on NL West leaders the San Francisco Giants to half a game, thrashing their rivals 8-1.

American League West leaders the Oakland Athletics were felled 4-1 by the Texas Rangers, with the Los Angeles Angels moving within two games of the A's courtesy of a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.

The Seattle Mariners lost four straight, with the Baltimore Orioles trumping them 2-1.

The Orioles are three games clear top of the AL's East standings, while the Tigers' loss leaves them six games above closest rivals the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central.

The New York Yankees made it 17 straight home wins over the Toronto Blue Jays, with a 6-4 result, leaving the Canadian outfit four games off the divisional lead.

Eight straight wins have propelled the Tampa Bay Rays' season to life, with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox their latest triumph.

The Royals were also 6-4 winners against the Cleveland Indians, making it four wins on the spin, while the Indians suffered their third straight loss.

The Chicago White Sox downed the Minnesota Twins 9-5 for their 50th win of the season.

Author(s)