NEW YORK — Sonny Gray was chased in the third inning by the team with the worst record in the majors, big league-loss leader Alex Cobb ended a nine-start winless streak, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees 7-5 Wednesday.
Despite what appeared to be a midgame lecture in the dugout by third-base coach Phil Nevin during a rain delay, New York dropped 51/2 games behind Boston heading into a four-game series at Fenway Park starting Thursday. This is the first time since the leagues split into divisions in 1969 that two teams in the same division began August with a winning percentage .640 or higher, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Gleyber Torres homered twice for the Yankees, a solo drive in the second and a three-run shot in the ninth.
Gray (8-8) allowed seven runs, eight hits and two walks in 22/3 innings, raising his ERA to 5.56. He was booed as he walked off the mound and was replaced by Lance Lynn, who made his Yankees debut following his trade from Minnesota.
INDIANS 2, TWINS 0: Carlos Carrasco struck out 10 while taking a shutout into the eighth inning, winning his fourth straight start since returning from the disabled list to carry visiting Cleveland.
ATHLETICS 8, BLUE JAYS 3: Sean Manaea pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Jonathan Lucroy drove in four runs and Oakland completed a season sweep of visiting Toronto.
ASTROS 8, MARINERS 3: Marwin Gonzalez hit two of Houston’s four home runs, and the Astros knocked host Seattle from the lead for the second wild-card spot.
The Mariners dropped into a tie with surging Oakland.
RAYS 7, ANGELS 2: Rookie Willy Adames homered and drove in two runs on the day Tampa Bay gave him the regular shortstop job, leading the Rays to a win over visiting Los Angeles.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NATIONALS 5, METS 3: Tommy Milone worked seven strong innings to get his first win in more than a year, Anthony Rendon homered, and host Washington moved back above .500.
INTERLEAGUE
TIGERS 7, REDS 4: Jose Iglesias drove in three runs, Jim Adduci homered, and Detroit survived the loss of pitcher Mike Fiers to an early injury to beat visiting Cincinnati.
NOTES
A LAWYER for former Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna, who is facing an assault charge, says his client plans to plead not guilty. Osuna’s court case has been put over to Sept. 5.
RAYS: Slick fielding shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for outfielder Tommy Pham.
METS: Slugger Yoenis Cespedes is set to have surgery on his heel Thursday, the first of two procedures that will likely sideline him from 8 to 10 months.
NATIONALS: The Nationals designated Shawn Kelley for assignment a day after he threw his glove to the ground and glared into the dugout while working the ninth inning of a 25-4 blowout of the New York Mets.
“I thought (the way) he acted, portrayed on the field last night, was disrespectful to the name on the front of the jersey, the organization, specifically (manager) Davey Martinez,” Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said. “You’re either in or you’re in the way. I thought he was in the way.”
GIANTS: Right-hander Johnny Cueto will have season-ending Tommy John surgery Thursday in Los Angeles.
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