MINNEAPOLIS – The Kansas City Royals won their ninth straight game, stretching their longest winning streak in more than a decade by beating Minnesota 7-2 on Thursday behind Billy Butler’s hitting and Lorenzo Cain’s highlight-reel catch in center field.

The Royals last won nine straight when they opened the 2003 season at 9-0.

INDIANS 6, WHITE SOX 1: Ryan Raburn homered twice and drove in four runs as host Cleveland won its eighth straight game.

The Indians have won 13 of 17 and completed a four-game sweep of the reeling White Sox.

ORIOLES 6, ASTROS 3: One day after being acquired from Houston, Bud Norris (7-9) dominated his former teammates over six innings, and host Baltimore got a home run from Chris Davis, his 39th, which leads the major leagues.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

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MARLINS 3, METS 0: Tom Koehler (3-6) pitched six effective innings and host Miami stalled Mets ace Matt Harvey (8-3) once again.

Harvey’s three shortest outings have come at Marlins Park.

GIANTS 2, PHILLIES 1: Alex Arias and pinch-hitter Roger Kieschnick had RBI singles off Jonathan Papelbon in the top of the ninth inning, then Sergio Romo escaped a bases-loaded jam at Philadelphia.

Matt Cain (7-6) gave up one run and six hits in eight innings.

BRAVES 11, ROCKIES 2: Justin Upton drove in five runs with two homers and Julio Teheran matched his career high with 11 strikeouts as host Atlanta won its seventh straight.

CARDINALS 13, PIRATES 0: St. Louis averted a five-game sweep at Pittsburgh, ending a season-worst seven-game losing streak in a matchup between the NL’s top two teams.

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DODGERS 6, CUBS 4: Yasiel Puig hit a long home run and scored two runs to lead Los Angeles to a win at Chicago.

INTERLEAGUE

RANGERS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 1: Yu Darvish (10-5) struck out 14, matching the most in his 50 major league starts, and Texas hit three solo homers in a makeup game at Arlington, Texas.

NOTES

DIAMONDBACKS: Arizona put catcher Miguel Montero on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain.

RANGERS: Lance Berkman, the 37-year-old designated hitter who has been on the DL since July 7, is targeting Aug. 8 or 9 for the start of a rehab assignment.

ROYALS: Kansas City put infielder Chris Getz on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained knee.


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