DETROIT -- Max Scherzer escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, Rajai Davis and J.D. Martinez homered, and the Detroit Tigers beat Kansas City 4-2 on Tuesday night to pull within percentage points of the Royals atop the AL Central.
Scherzer (16-5) allowed a run and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. Kansas City was down 3-1 in the fifth when Alex Gordon's deep fly to right went just foul with two on. Gordon walked to load the bases with one out, but Salvador Perez lined out and Eric Hosmer struck out.
Joe Nathan earned his 30th save in 36 chances, allowing two infield singles to start the ninth before ending it with two strikeouts sandwiched around a picked-off runner.
Kansas City's Jason Vargas (11-8) allowed four runs in 5 1-3 innings (see full recap).
Nationals increase lead over Braves
WASHINGTON -- Adam LaRoche kept up his torrid stretch with two hits and two RBIs, and the Washington Nationals essentially put to rest any thought that there is still a serious race for the NL East title with a 6-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.
Washington's second victory in two nights over the Braves, gave the Nationals a nine-game lead over their second-place rivals with 19 to play. Atlanta was a regular nemesis for about a year and a half, but the Nationals have put the kibosh on that trend by winning five of the last seven meetings.
Jordan Zimmermann (11-5) allowed four runs (two earned) with seven strikeouts and no walks in six innings. He hasn't lost a decision since July 11 and is 5-0 -- and the Nationals are 8-0 -- in his last eight starts (see full recap).
MLB
Streaking Angels pound Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Kole Calhoun hit a leadoff homer, Collin Cowgill had a big eighth inning and the Los Angeles Angels stretched their winning streak to six with a 9-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
Cowgill reached on an infield single to start a seven-run eighth. He scored on Mike Trout's triple and capped the outburst with a bases-loaded triple.
The Angels, with the best record in the majors at 89-55, matched their longest winning streak of the season. The AL West leaders have won 12 of 14 overall.
Hector Santiago (5-7) allowed only a solo homer in five innings.
Calhoun's third leadoff homer this season, and 15th long ball overall, came off Colby Lewis (9-13), who was lifted after Cowgill, the No. 9 batter, reached to start the eighth (see full recap).
