NEW YORK — Designated hitter Alex Rodriguez hit a tie-breaking home run with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning and the New York Yankees opened the second half of the season with a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in the American League Friday. The Yankees won for the eighth time in 11 games with the help of Rodriguez, who drove a 1-0 fastball from left-hander Joe Beimel (0-1) over the right-center-field wall and into New York's bullpen.
Royals 4, White Sox 2 (first game): Mike Moustakas and Alex Rios each slammed solo home runs as Kansas City beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2 to open a split doubleheader at US Cellular Field.
The Royals improved on their American League-best record with their second straight win and eighth in their last nine. The White Sox dropped their second straight after winning nine of their previous 13.
White Sox 2, Royals 0 (second game): John Danks did not allow a run for the second time in three games, giving up four hits over six-plus innings as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 in the second game of a doubleheader.
The left-handed Danks (5-8) departed in the seventh after walking Royals right fielder Alex Rios. But two relief pitchers wrapped up the inning without damage.
Tigers 7, Orioles 3: Jose Iglesias, Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez hit home runs good for a combined six runs to help Anibal Sanchez to his sixth straight victory as the Tigers beat the Orioles 7-3.
Detroit have scored 67 runs in their last 11 games since manager Brad Ausmus retooled his batting order but the Tigers are only 6-5 over that stretch.
Other results: Blue Jays 6, Rays 2; Astros 3, Rangers 2; Angels 1, Red Sox 0; Twins 5, A's 0.
National League
Phillies 6, Marlins 3: Pinch hitter Jeff Francoeur capped a four-run eighth inning with a three-run homer as Philadelphia snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Marlins.
Marlins starter Jose Fernandez went six innings and allowed two runs and four hits. Phillies starter Adam Morgan worked 6 1/3 innings and also yielded two runs and four hits.
Brewers 4, Pirates 1: Gerardo Parra drove in two runs and Mike Fiers struck out seven as the Milwaukee Brewers kicked off the second half of the season on a high note with a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park.
Fiers (5-7) worked seven innings and held the Pirates to three hits and a walk to win his second consecutive decision.
Braves 4, Cubs 2: Light-hitting left fielder Eury Perez looped a two-out single into shallow right field to drive in two runs in the eighth inning and lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.
With the bases loaded, Perez hit the first offering from right-hander Pedro Strop (1-5) in front of Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler, allowing first baseman Kelly Johnson and catcher A.J. Pierzynski to score with ease. The Braves won their eighth straight over the Cubs at Turner Field and snapped a five-game losing streak.
Reds 6, Indians 1: Marlon Byrd fell a triple shy of the cycle and Mike Leake pitched six strong innings and drove in three runs, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a three-game series at a rainy Great American Ball Park. — Reuters
