NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez reached 2,999 hits with a pair of singles, and Carlos Beltran and Brett Gardner each had two-run homers, leading the New York Yankees to a 9-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.

Rodriguez hit an RBI single in the first inning for the second straight night, flied out to right field in the third and hit a sharp grounder past diving third baseman Donovan Solano in the fifth to move within one hit of becoming the 29th player to reach the 3,000 plateau.

He lined out in the sixth, his first try at the milestone — swinging at specially marked balls.

Yankee Stadium played a piece of Beethoven’s famed Symphony No. 5 as Rodriguez came to bat in the eighth, but Miami reliever Sam Dyson didn’t give ARod a chance to swing, throwing four inside pitches that sent the slugger leaping back each time.

Pirates 3, White Sox 2

CHICAGO (AP) — Gerrit Cole became the majors’ first 11-game winner and Pittsburgh beat struggling Chicago to extend its winning streak to a season-high eight games.

Cole (11-2) allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings, and has won each of his last six starts while giving up two runs or less in each. Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his 23rd save.

Jung Ho Kang went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, and Josh Harrison and Gregory Polanco each drove in a run for Pittsburgh. The Pirates, who also won 3-2 Wednesday, have won seven times in their last 11 games while scoring three runs or less.

Padres 3, Athletics 1

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Pat Murphy got his first win as San Diego’s manager, Derek Norris homered against his former team and the Padres beat Oakland.

Matt Kemp hit his second home run in three days, and San Diego stopped a fourgame losing streak. The Padres fired manager Bud Black on Monday and hired Murphy the following day.

Twins 2, Cardinals 1

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Slumping Kennys Vargas hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting Minnesota to a victory and a two-game sweep of St. Louis.

Joe Mauer homered for the Twins, too, tying the game in the eighth to answer Jason Heyward’s solo shot for the Cardinals in the seventh.

Indians 4, Cubs 3

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Giovanny Urshela’s seventh-inning single drove in the go-ahead run and Cleveland beat Chicago.

Kyle Schwarber hit his first major league home run for the Cubs, a two-run blast off Danny Salazar in the fifth that tied the game at 3- all.

Blue Jays 7, Mets 1

TORONTO (AP) — R.A. Dickey pitched into the eighth inning to earn the win against his former team, Chris Colabello hit a solo homer and Toronto beat New York.

Jose Bautista drove in two runs as the Blue Jays, who lost back-to-back games at Citi Field earlier this week, swept two against the visiting Mets. Toronto is 13-3 in June.

Rays 5, Nationals 3

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington star Bryce Harper exited early after hurting his left leg while taking an awkward tumble making a throw, and the Nationals lost to Tampa Bay.

There was no announcement by the Nationals during the game on Harper’s injury.

Astros 8, Rockies 4

DENVER (AP) — Preston Tucker homered and drove in three runs, pinch-hitter Domingo Santana got his first major league home run and Houston beat Colorado for its fifth straight win.

Royals 3, Brewers 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alcides Escobar had three hits and scored twice and Jeremy Guthrie pitched six effective innings as the Kansas City Royals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Thursday night.

Phillies 2, Orioles 1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning and Philadelphia snapped a nine-game losing streak with a victory over Baltimore.

Angels 7, D-Backs 1

PHOENIX (AP) — C.J. Wilson struck out a season-high nine in his second straight strong outing, Taylor Featherston hit his first major league home run and Los Angeles beat Arizona to split the four-game interleague series.

Dodgers 1, Rangers 0

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers pinch-runner Kike Hernandez scored on a twoout balk by Rangers rookie reliever Keone Kela in the ninth inning, giving Los Angeles a victory over Texas.

Giants 7, Mariners 0

SEATTLE (AP) — Ryan Vogelsong and three relievers combined on a five-hitter to give San Francisco its major league-leading 11th shutout.

Vogelsong (5-5), allowed three singles over 6 2-3 innings, striking out six and walking two as the offensively challenged Mariners were held to two runs or less for the 26th time in 67 games.