THREE UP
Brandon Backe pitched seven innings of shutout ball to lower his ERA to 4.76 in the Astros’ 5-0 win over the Nationals. He also added a double and single to lift his batting average to .345.
Another good-hitting NL pitcher had a good day Sunday. CC Sabathia hit his second homer of the year to go along with his first NL complete game in the Brewers 3-2′ win over the Reds.
Justin Verlander is trying to drag the Tigers back into the AL Central race. He’s 5-0 in his last seven starts after beating the Twins 4-2. He hasn’t allowed more than two runs in that span.
THREE DOWN
The Marlins’ Andrew Miller lost his fourth straight decision and allowed seven runs in just 12/3 innings, the second-shortest outing of his 33 career starts. He didn’t retire a Dodger until his 31st pitch.
A botched rundown cost the Royals. John Buck’s throw sailed over the head of Alex Gordon at third, allowing the Mariners’ Adrian Beltre score the lead run in the ninth inning of a 4-3 win.
The Pirates’ Franquelis Osoria allowed five of the six batters he faced to reach base in the seventh, losing a one-run lead in an 11-6 loss to St. Louis. Pirates pitchers allowed 28 runs in the series.
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EDITED BY BOB FOLTMAN AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW
