Associated Press
MLB roundup …
DENVER ó Pablo Sandoval homered twice in an eight-run fourth inning, part of a six-home run barrage that led the late-charging San Francisco Giants over the Colorado Rockies 12-5 Sunday for their eighth straight win.
On its longest winning streak since April 2007, San Francisco closed within four games of Atlanta, the NL wild-card leader.
Diamondbacks 5, Padres 1
SAN DIEGO ó Joe Saunders took a five-hitter into the ninth inning, Paul Goldschmidt drove in three runs and Arizonao cut the magic number to five for their first NL West title since 2007.
Mets 7, Braves 5
ATLANTA ó Ruben Tejada had four RBIs, Lucas Duda homered off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning and New York slowed the Bravesí wild-card bid with a walk-filled win.
Atlanta lost two of three to the Mets, who arrived with a six-game losing streak.
Brewers 8, Reds 1
CINCINNATI ó Carlos Gomez and Prince Fielder each hit two-run homers in the first and Zack Greinke breezed through seven sharp innings to help Milwaukee complete a series sweep.
Dodgers 15, Pirates 1
LOS ANGELES ó James Loney had five hits with three RBIs, Jerry Sands and Juan Rivera each drove in four runs, and the Dodgers routed Pittsburgh.
Astros 3, Cubs 2
CHICAGO ó Brett Myers benefited from a reversed homer call to beat the Cubs again and Clint Barmes had a two-run single for Houston.
Carlos Penaís drive to left was initially ruled a two-run homer. The call was overturned after umpires reviewed video of the play. Pena was given a double.
Nationals 4, Marlins 3
WASHINGTON ó Chien-Ming Wang had the longest start of his comeback from shoulder surgery, leaving with two outs in the seventh inning, and Danny Espinosa delivered his first RBI in two weeks for the Washington.
American League
OAKLAND, Calif. ó Justin Verlander won his 12th straight start, pitching three-hit ball over eight innings to become the first pitcher in nine years to reach 24 wins and led the AL Central champion Detroit Tigers over the Oakland Athletics 3-0 Sunday.
Rays 8, Red Sox 5
BOSTON ó David Price took a line drive off his chest but stuck around to pitch four solid innings, and Tampa Bay capitalized on wild knuckleballs from Tim Wakefield (7-7) to cut Bostonís AL wild-card lead to two games.
Boston lost for 11th time in 14 games, including defeats in six of seven against the Rays.
Blue Jays 3, Yankees 0
TORONTO ó Mariano Rivera remained at 601 saves as Adam Lind homered twice off Freddy Garcia (11-8) to back Brandon Morrow (10-11).
Rangers 3, Mariners 0
SEATTLE ó Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer in the fourth off former teammate Felix Hernandez.
Angels 11, Orioles 2
BALTIMORE ó Erick Aybar went 4 for 4, homered twice and tied a franchise record set by Tim Salmon in 1998 by scoring five runs.
Indians 6, Twins 5
MINNEAPOLIS ó Shelley Duncan homered to start a six-run seventh.