MLB roundup: Bryce Harper returns in style to lead Phillies past Reds

Bryce Harper came back after a three-day paternity leave and smashed a two-run home run to help the Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on Thursday.

Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (2-3) only gave up one hit in six scoreless innings to secure the victory for the Phillies, who managed to split the four-game series with their second shutout in four days. Wheeler struck out eight batters and walked four on his way to his second consecutive win.

Wheeler increased his streak of not allowing any runs to 13 1/3 innings with his second consecutive scoreless start and third of the season. Trea Turner had three hits, while Harper and Bryson Stott each had two hits. Stott drove in two runs with a two-out triple in the third inning, giving Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.

Cincinnati's starter Nick Martinez (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up five runs on 11 hits in six innings. Martinez returned to the starting rotation after Frankie Montas was placed on the injured list with a bruised forearm.

Dodgers 2, Nationals 1
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw six scoreless innings and Teoscar Hernandez hit a home run as the Los Angeles Dodgers finished a three-game sweep against the Washington Nationals. Yamamoto, a rookie right-handed pitcher, allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out seven in his 97-pitch outing.

Alex Vesia pitched a scoreless seventh inning with three strikeouts, followed by Daniel Hudson giving up a run in the eighth. Evan Phillips closed the game with a perfect ninth inning, recording two strikeouts and earning his seventh save. Mookie Betts, Enrique Hernandez, and Freddie Freeman all contributed with two hits each, helping the Dodgers secure their fourth consecutive victory.

Nationals' starter MacKenzie Gore (2-2) surrendered only the home run among the seven hits he allowed. He walked two batters and struck out four. Joey Meneses had three hits for Washington out of their seven total hits. Despite leaving seven runners on base, the Nationals only managed to score four runs in the series, concluding their homestand with a 2-4 record.

Brewers 7, Pirates 5
Gary Sanchez delivered a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the eighth inning, propelling the Milwaukee Brewers to a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Rhys Hoskins had an impressive performance, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while William Contreras contributed with a 2-for-4 outing, including a home run. The Brewers split the four-game series with this win. Jared Koenig (1-0) earned the win after allowing two hits in the seventh inning, and Trevor Megill secured his first save by pitching a clean ninth.

Joey Bart provided a highlight for the Pirates with a three-run home run. Aroldis Chapman (0-2) gave up two runs on two hits in the eighth inning, resulting in the loss.

Guardians 6, Red Sox 4
Jose Ramirez made a significant impact for the Cleveland Guardians as he hit a grand slam in the second inning and later scored a crucial insurance run in the seventh against the Boston Red Sox. This victory marked the Guardians' ninth win in their last eleven games.

In the seventh inning, Ramirez singled for his third hit of the game, stole second base, advanced to third on catcher Reese McGuire's throwing error, and ultimately scored on a passed ball, extending the Guardians' lead to 6-4.

Rafael Devers continued his impressive run of form.

The Chicago Cubs emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros. In a pivotal moment, Pete Crow-Armstrong, a promising young player, smashed a two-run home run in the sixth inning, marking his first hit in the major leagues.

This impressive hit propelled the Cubs ahead and secured their sweep of the Astros. Bryan Abreu, who came in from the Houston bullpen, was unable to stop Crow-Armstrong's powerful hit.

As a result, Houston's Rafael Montero suffered his first loss of the season. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander, a right-hander for the Astros, managed to record only one out in the fifth inning before leaving the game. Verlander conceded three hits, all of which were obtained by Nico Hoerner of the Cubs.