Philadelphia
Howard’s homer off Cody Allen (0-3) was his fifth of the season and sixth career game-ending shot.
David Hernandez (1-1) struck out four in two innings of relief for the win. Five Phillies pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts.
Philadelphia’s bullpen pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 11.
The Phillies have won seven of eight and have looked little this season like a team picked to finish last in the NL East.
Arlington, Texas
Colby Lewis (2-0) allowed two runs and nine hits in seven innings to reverse his fortunes against the Angels. He went into the game 6-11 all-time against Los Angeles with a 6.82 ERA.
Lewis didn’t record a strikeout for the first time in 117 regular season and postseason starts, since May 2011.
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Saunders homered off Rays starter Drew Smyly (1-3) in the third inning and added his fourth home run of the season off Dana Eveland in the eighth. The left fielder is hitting .368 (14 for 38) in nine games since moving into the leadoff spot in the Toronto batting order.
Sanchez (2-1) gave up six hits and two walks while striking out six to help the Blue Jays break a three-game losing streak.
Baltimore
The White Sox entered this series riding a six-game winning streak but have lost back-to-back games to the Orioles, whose 9-1 mark at Camden Yards is the best home mark in the major leagues.
Brett Lawrie snapped a 2-for-18 skid and tied the score 3-3 with a solo homer off the Orioles’ Brad Brach in the seventh. Reimold then put the Orioles back in the lead when he hit Carlos Rodon’s first pitch over the right-field scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.
St. Louis
Taylor’s second leadoff homer of the year ended a 22-inning scoreless drought for the Nationals. Espinosa’s first of the season was a two-run shot that capped a four-run fourth against Mike Leake (0-3).
New York
Cespedes set a club mark with six RBIs in the inning, connecting for a two-run single off starter Jake Peavy (1-2) and a grand slam off reliever Mike Broadway that capped the outburst.
The early barrage made it an easy night for Steven Matz (3-1) in the opener of a three-game series between the last two NL champions. The left-hander tossed six shutout innings to win his third consecutive start.
Pittsburgh
Nicasio (3-2) allowed three hits and one walk in sending the Reds to their fifth straight loss. Signed as a free agent in the offseason, Nicasio has won all three home starts with a 1.89 ERA while losing both road starts with a 6.75 ERA.
Milwaukee
Jonathan Lucroy blooped a single with one out in the ninth off reliever Jose Urena to break up the combo no-hit bid.
The ball landed in right field just beyond the reach of diving second baseman Derek Dietrich.
Dietrich was playing in place of speedy Gold Glove winner Dee Gordon, who was suspended by Major League Baseball on Thursday night after a positive drug test.
The 25-year-old Conley (1-1) struck out seven and walked four. Urena replaced him.
The Brewers scored three times on four hits in the ninth. They loaded the bases before A.J. Ramos struck out Jonathan Villar for his seventh save.
