PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia closer Jonathan Papelbon made a lewd gesture to fans and was ejected after giving up four runs in the ninth inning during the Phillies’ 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins on Sunday.
Papelbon grabbed his crotch as he walked to the dugout and was ejected by crew chief Joe West. He jogged out of the dugout and got into a face-to-face argument with West, who grasped the pitcher’s jersey to hold him off, and Papelbon then argued with first base umpire Marty Foster. Papelbon threw a cup of liquid on the field before leaving the dugout.
Papelbon (2-3) had converted 14 straight save chances since July 22 when he entered with a 4-1 lead in the ninth. Papelbon gave up Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s double, Kike Hernandez’s walk, Adeiny Hechavarria’s infield single, Jordany Valdespin’s RBI groundout, Christian Yelich’s run-scoring infield single and pinch-hitter Justin Bour’s tying single.
After Casey McGehee struck out, Papelbon bounced a wild pitch past catcher Carlos Ruiz as Yelich scored the go-ahead run.
Anthony DeSclafani (2-2) got the final out of the eighth. Steve Cishek allowed his first to batters to reach in the ninth, then struck out Ben Revere, Maikel Franco and Chase Utley for his 35th save.
DODGERS 4, GIANTS 2
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Clayton Kershaw (19-3) allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings and struck out nine, taking over the big league lead in wins and lowering his majors-best ERA to 1.70. Los Angeles moved three games ahead of second-place San Francisco in the NL West.
Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his 42nd save. Matt Kemp hit his 20th homer.
Yusmeiro Petit (5-4) gave up four runs — three earned — and eight hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked none.
NATIONALS 3, METS 0
NEW YORK (AP) — Wilson Ramos hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh off Jonathon Niese (8-11), and the Nationals won their ninth straight start with Jordan Zimmermann (11-5), who allowed six hits and a walk in 6 2-3 innings.
Washington reduced its magic number for winning a second division title in three years to four and eliminated the Mets from the division race.
Zimmermann (11-5) hit Eric Young Jr. and Lucas Duda; nine batters were hit in the four-game series, one shy of the record set last year in a Pirates-Reds series, according to STATS.
PIRATES 7, CUBS 3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Third baseman Josh Harrison started Pittsburgh’s first triple play at home in 21 years and hit a tying two-run double in a six-run fifth against Jacob Turner (5-10).
Chicago led 3-0 and put runners on first and second in the fourth when Matt Szczur grounded to third. Harrison began a around-the-horn 5-4-3 triple play, throwing to second baseman Neil Walker, who relayed to first baseman Andrew Lambo.
Edinson Volquez (12-7) allowed three runs — one earned — four hits and five walks in seven innings. The Pirates maintained a 1 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee for the NL’s second wild card.
Chicago, which last won the World Series in 1908, was eliminated from postseason contention.
CARDINALS 4, ROCKIES 1
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Rookie Marco Gonzales (3-2) struck out nine in 5 2-3 innings and Jhonny Peralta homered as St. Louis remained 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place Pittsburgh in the NL Central.
Trevor Rosenthal struck out the side in the ninth for his NL-leading 44th save, giving St. Louis pitchers 16 strikeouts. Jordan Lyles (6-3) was the loser.
BREWERS 9, REDS 2
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Matt Clark hit a three-run homer in a five-run seventh inning, and Mark Reynolds added a solo shot in the eighth.
Matt Garza (8-8) allowed one run and four hits in six-plus innings to beat Mike Leake (11-12).
DIAMONDBACKS 8, PADRES 6
PHOENIX (AP) — Zeke Spruill (1-1) allowed one hit in three shutout innings of long relief, and Will Harris escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, striking out Rymer Liriano and pinch-hitter Tommy Medica to preserve Arizona’s 5-4 lead..
Odrisamer Despaigne (3-7) was hurt by a pair of Padres misplays in a five-run third.