Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks entered his Monday night start as the relatively anonymous National League leader in earned-run average. He exited with that title still intact, and came within three outs of a no-hitter to boot. Jeremy Hazelbaker ended Hendricks' no-no bid with a leadoff homer in the ninth, but it didn't keep Chicago from reducing its magic number for clinching the National League Central to three with a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Hendricks (15-7) walked two — Yadier Molina in the second and Jedd Gyorko in the eighth — and struck out seven in his 87-pitch masterpiece. It would have been the first no-hitter in Busch Stadium III's 11-year history and the second no-hitter in the majors this year. Cubs righty Jake Arrieta authored one on April 21 in Cincinnati. Blue Jays 3, Rays 2: Ezequiel Carrera led off the eighth inning with a pinch-hit home run, leading Toronto to a victory over Tampa Bay. The loss eliminated the Rays (60-83) from postseason contention while the Blue Jays (79-64) hold second place in the American League East. Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays. Evan Longoria and Brad Miller homered for the Rays. Neither starter factored in the decision. Toronto's Francisco Liriano allowed three hits, two of them home runs, one walk and two runs in 6-1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out six in his first start since Aug. 26. Red Sox 12, Orioles 2: David Price won his seventh straight start as Boston, which leads the American League East, opened a crucial seven-game homestand with a resounding win over contending Baltimore. Chris Young had a homer, two doubles and a single, and David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez (three RBIs) also homered to power the Red Sox's rout. The win, the eighth in the last 11 games, kept Boston two games ahead of the victorious Toronto Blue Jays atop the division. The Orioles, who came in tied with Toronto for both second place and the top AL wild-card spot, fell three games off the division lead. Nationals 8, Mets 1: Hot-hitting Anthony Rendon belted a three-run homer and Daniel Murphy had three hits against his former team as Washington blitzed New York in the opener of a three-game series between the top teams in the National League East. The first-place Nationals (86-58) now lead the second-place Mets (76-68) by 10 games in the division. Washington has won eight of its last 11 and is a season-high 28 games above .500. New York is 16-6 in the last 22 games and still in the wild-card hunt. The Nationals are 11-6 against the Mets this season. Tigers 4, Twins 2: Ian Kinsler drove in two runs and Daniel Norris recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts, leading Detroit to a win over Minnesota at Comerica Park. Kinsler hit his 26th homer in the first inning and added a go-ahead sacrifice fly. Norris, whose previous high was nine strikeouts, pitched 6-1/3 innings and gave up two solo homers but did not figure in the decision. Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier hit his 40th homer of the season and tied his career-high by extending his hitting streak to 16 games. Kurt Suzuki also homered for the Twins. In other games it was; Dodgers 8, Yankees 2; Phillies 6, Pirates 2; Reds 3, Brewers 0; Braves 12, Marlins 7; Athletics 16, Royals 3; White Sox 11, Indians 4; Rangers 4, Astros 3 (12 innings); Diamondbacks 12, Rockies 9; Mariners 8, Angels 1; Padres 4, Giants 0.
