Springer's late homer lifts Astros over Royals

Kansas City, Mo.

George Springer hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the ninth inning, Gerrit Cole won his 13th straight decision and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 Friday night to stop a three-game losing streak.

Kyle Tucker singled with one out in the ninth of Heath Fillmyer (0-2) and pinch-hitter Michael Brantley walked. Josh Reddick struck out and Springer followed with his 35th homer.

Cubs 17, Pirates 8: Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras launched two long solo homers and Chicago kept pace in the NL wild-card race. Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs, who entered tied with Milwaukee for the second NL wild card and four games behind NL Central-leading St. Louis.

Orioles 6, Tigers 2: In the first meeting in 50 years of major league teams both 50 or more games under .500, DJ Stewart and Trey Mancini homered to lead Baltimore over Detroit.

Braves 5, Nationals 0: Mike Soroka allowed one hit over six innings and Ozzie Albies had three hits including a home run for Atlanta. Atlanta moved 91/2 games in front of Washington in the NL East and reduced its magic number to six.

Cardinals 10, Brewers 0: Paul Goldschmidt hit a grand slam and a three-run homer to back Adam Wainwright, who pitched six innings of two-hit ball as St. Louis beat Milwaukee.

Note: The opener of a three-game AL Central showdown series between Minnesota and Cleveland was postponed by rain. The teams played two full innings Friday night before powerful thunderstorms swept through Progressive Field. The game was called after a wait of 1 hour, 57 minutes. It will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. ... The Diamondbacks have extended the contract of general manager Mike Hazen. The...