NEW YORK — Helped by a great first-inning catch that forced center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury from the game with a concussion and sprained neck, Luis Severino won for the first time in a month and led the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.

On the first pitch of the game, Ellsbury sprinted 107 feet and raised his glove above his head to catch Alcides Escobar’s fly. Ellsbury’s head jarred into the wall as the ball landed in his glove, and he crumpled to the field.

Ellsbury was checked by Manager Joe Girardi and head athletic trainer Steve Donohue, and remained in the game, then was replaced by Aaron Hicks starting the second.

Didi Gregorius homered against Jason Hammel (1-6) leading off the third inning, Gregorius’ seventh hit in a span of 12 at-bats.

His fastball reaching 99 mph, Severino (3-2) allowed four hits over eight innings, struck out seven, walked one and threw a career-high 114 pitches.

Dellin Betances struck out the side in a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

TWINS 4, ORIOLES 3: Jose Berrios took a two-hitter into the seventh inning, Kennys Vargas drove in two runs and Minnesota completed its first three-game sweep in Baltimore since 1996.

Eduardo Escobar had two hits and an RBI for the first-place Twins, who are a major league best 14-5 on the road.

RAYS 5, ANGELS 2: Steven Souza Jr. homered twice to rally Tampa Bay to a win at St. Petersburg, Florida.

Colby Rasmus also went deep for the Rays and Erasmo Ramirez pitched six strong innings in his third start of the season.

Albert Pujols hit his 597th career home run, a two-run shot in the first for the Angels.

TIGERS 6, ASTROS 3: Jose Iglesias finished a triple shy of the cycle, Ian Kinsler had two hits and scored twice, and host Detroit snapped a three-game skid.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ROCKIES 7, PHILLIES 2: Tyler Chatwood allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings, Carlos Gonzalez homered and Colorado won at Philadelphia.

Chatwood (4-6) befuddled the Phillies, striking out a season-high eight and only allowing a single by Andrew Knapp in the fifth inning.

CUBS 5, GIANTS 4: Anthony Rizzo hit two home runs, Kyle Hendricks tossed seven strong innings and Chicago hung on at home.

Rizzo has four homers over his last four games and 11 on the season.

PADRES 6, METS 5: Hunter Renfroe snapped an eighth-inning tie with a titanic home run, Brad Hand pitched out of a huge jam in the ninth and San Diego took advantage of a floundering Mets bullpen in rallying to a win at New York.

INTERLEAGUE

BLUE JAYS 8, BREWERS 4: Ryan Goins hit his first career grand slam, one of the four homers for Toronto in a win at Milwaukee.

The Blue Jays wrapped up a seven-game trip with three straight victories.

NATIONALS 5, MARINERS 1: Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer for his eighth of the season and Tanner Roark allowed one run in seven innings to lead host Washington.

Rendon has three homers and eight RBI in the Nationals’ two victories to open this three-game series.

ATHLETICS 4, MARLINS 1: Sonny Gray struck out a season-high 11 over seven innings in his best start in two years, Khris Davis homered and Oakland won at home.

Jed Lowrie matched his career high with four hits, including two doubles, for the A’s.

DIAMONDBACKS 8, WHITE SOX 6: Jake Lamb homered off a left-hander for only the second time this season, five Diamondbacks drove in at least one run and Arizona completed a three-game sweep at Phoenix.

NOTES

YANKEES: Injured All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman may be cleared to start a throwing program Saturday after visiting a doctor Friday. Chapman hasn’t pitched since May 12 because of tendinitis and bursitis in his left shoulder.

ORIOLES: Baltimore released outfielder Michael Bourn from his minor league contract after he exercised his opt-out clause Tuesday. The 34-year-old batted .220 in 11 games with Triple-A Norfolk.

METS: The team activated catcher Travis d’Arnaud from the disabled list and placed pitcher Tommy Milone on the 10-day DL with a sprained left knee.

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