BOSTON (AP) — John Lackey pitched neatly into the seventh inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 4-0 Wednesday night, their third straight victory after their longest losing streak in 20 years.
The Red Sox honored Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling and members of their 2004 World Series championship team before the game, then put on another winning performance at Fenway Park.
Jackie Bradley Jr., A.J. Pierzynski and Jonny Gomes each had had two hits and an RBI as the Red Sox extended their mastery over the Braves after beating them in Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday nights. Boston is 18-6 since 2005 against Atlanta.
Lackey (6-3) combined with three relievers for Boston’s first shutout of the season. He gave up eight hits, struck out nine and walked none in 6 1-3 innings.
Boston’s winning string has come after a 10-game skid.
Lackey allowed more than one baserunner in just two innings. He has permitted two earned runs or less in eight of his 12 starts.
Gavin Floyd (0-2) gave up two runs in five innings and took his first career loss against the Red Sox after seven wins. He is 3-1 in four starts at Fenway Park.
Boston went ahead 1-0 in the second inning when Gomes led off with a single and kept going to second on a throwing error by shortstop Ramiro Pena. Gomes took third on a wild pitch before Grady Sizemore walked, and scored when Daniel Nava grounded into a double play.
Giants 5, Cubs 0
SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum and five relievers combined on a weird two-hitter, leading the San Francisco Giants over the Chicago Cubs 5-0 on Wednesday.
Lincecum was pulled after pitching five innings and not allowing a hit. He threw 96 pitches and struck out five, walked four and hit a batter in another wild but effective start.
Mets 5, Pirates 0
NEW YORK — Bartolo Colon carried a three-hitter into the eighth inning, and the New York Mets got home runs from David Wright and Lucas Duda in a 5-0 victory over the sloppy Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
Colon (4-5) struck out a season-high nine in his second consecutive win, and Wright added an RBI single during an eventful afternoon. He also stole a base, made two throwing errors and robbed Andrew McCutchen of extra bases with a diving play at third.
on the road until July 4.
Astros 9, Royals 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chris Carter hit two home runs, George Springer set a rookie club record for homers in a month and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 9-3 Wednesday for their fifth straight win.
The Astros, with the worst record in the AL, won three times in Kansas City for their first sweep of the season. Houston’s winning streak is its longest since a six-game string that ended last June 3.
The Royals have lost four in a row.
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- Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz, left, chats with former Red Sox player Manny Ramirez as they walk on the field at Fenway Park prior to a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Boston, Wednesday, May 28, 2014. The Red Sox were scheduled to honor the 2004 World Series team prior to the game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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