CHICAGO -- Yu Darvish returned from the disabled list to strike out nine but was inefficient and wild at times, and Anthony Rizzo's two-run double helped lead the Chicago Cubs past the Texas Rangers 3-1 on Saturday.
In his first start since June 8 because of shoulder pain, Darvish (2-1) reached 98 mph and allowed only two runs and two hits, but the Japanese right-hander lasted just 4 1/3 innings thanks to four walks and shoddy defense.
Jason Hammel (8-5) struck out seven in six innings for the Cubs, who won their second straight in the interleague matchup of division leaders.
Hector Rondon pitched a perfect ninth to complete the three-hitter for his 15th save.
Darvish, a three-time All-Star, was making his fourth start since missing all of 2015 following Tommy John surgery. A dominant slider dipping out of the strike zone accounted for seven of his strikeouts (see full recap).
Roark pitches into 9th inning, Nationals beat Pirates
WASHINGTON -- Tanner Roark pitched eight-plus innings of five-hit ball and had an RBI single during a three-run fourth as the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0 on Saturday night.
Roark (9-5) allowed five singles with one walk and five strikeouts in his longest start of the season. He started the ninth but left after allowing a single and hitting a batter before the sellout crowd. He
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Anthony Rendon homered and drove in two runs. Second baseman Stephen Drew had three doubles and one RBI in place of NL batting leader Daniel Murphy. The Nationals have won five straight games.
Washington spoiled the return of Gerrit Cole (5-5) from the 15-day disabled list. The 2015 All-Star allowed five runs - four earned - and seven hits over four innings (see full recap).
Wainwright throws 3-hitter, Cardinals blank Marlins
ST. LOUIS -- Adam Wainwright threw a three-hit shutout to keep rolling in July, and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped the Miami Marlins' four-game winning streak with a 5-0 victory Saturday night.
Jhonny Peralta homered and Stephen Piscotty had two hits, a walk and two RBIs.
Wainwright (9-5) struck out five with two walks and didn't allow a hit until Adeiny Hechavarria doubled to open the sixth inning. The team's longtime ace received a standing ovation in the eighth before striking out for the fourth straight time, then retired the 2-3-4 hitters in order to end it.
The 6-foot-7 right-hander is 3-0 in three starts this month, allowing one run in 22 innings. The shutout was the 10th of his career and first since Sept. 17, 2014, against the Brewers.
Matt Adams hit an RBI single in a four-run third, following Piscotty's two-run double and an RBI double by Randal Grichuk.
After blowing two late leads in the series opener Friday night, St. Louis improved to 20-27 at home (see full recap).
Leon, Rodriguez lift Red Sox over Yanks for 6th straight win
NEW YORK -- The big-name Boston Red Sox got a lift from their unheralded Venezuelan battery to win their season-high sixth straight game.
Sandy Leon homered and drove in four runs, Eduardo Rodriguez again dominated the Yankees in his return from Triple-A, and Boston beat New York 5-2 on Saturday.
Leon hit his second homer this season and the third of his career in the sixth inning - a three-run shot off CC Sabathia for a 5-1 lead. The catcher has 13 RBIs in 20 games this year after compiling only eight in 75 career games before that. He's hitting .458 through 59 at-bats this season.
"He looks different now," Rodriguez said. "He hits the ball everywhere."
Leon also helped his countryman hold New York to a run and four hits over seven innings after the Red Sox recalled the left-hander from the minors Friday. Rodriguez (2-3) improved to 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA against Boston's archrival (see full recap).
