DETROIT — Alfredo Simon outdueled C.C. Sabathia and Yoenis Cespedes drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh as the Detroit Tigers topped the New York Yankees 2-1 Monday night at Comerica Park.
Simon (3-0), who has won all three of his starts, held the Yankees to one run on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings while striking out six. Joakim Soria collected his fifth save. Left fielder Cespedes and right fielder J.D. Martinez contributed run-scoring singles for the Tigers (11-2), who have the league’s best record.
Sabathia (0-3), who was seeking his first win since April 24 of last season, allowed seven hits while going the distance. First baseman Mark Teixeira homered in the second for New York (6-7).
Sabathia faced the minimum through six innings despite giving up three hits and a walk. He induced three double-play grounders and picked off a runner.
That changed in the seventh when Detroit center fielder Rajai Davis led off with a single and advanced on a fly out. With two down, Sabathia intentionally walked designated hitter Victor Martinez to face J.D. Martinez. The strategy backfired when he lined a single past shortstop Didi Gregorius to tie the game at 1.
Cespedes then put the Tigers on top with a single to center, bringing home Victor Martinez.
Reliever Joba Chamberlain bailed the Tigers out of a jam in the eighth, retiring center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury on a double-play grounder with runners at the corners.
Teixeira put the Yankees on top in the second when he ripped an 0-2 changeup into the right-field seats. The leadoff homer was his fourth of the season and the first allowed by Simon in three starts.
Reds 6, Brewers 1
MILWAUKEE — Zack Cozart and Joey Votto hit home runs and rookie right-hander Anthony Desclafani threw eight scoreless innings as the Cincinnati Reds snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Monday night at Miller Park.
Descalfani held the Brewers to two hits and a walk while striking out five. He gave up two runs in his first start of the season, but has since thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings.
Cozart’s home run was his second of the season. The shortstop’s blast came on a 1-2 fastball from Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta, as the Reds snapped out of an offensive funk with a four-run sixth inning.
Center fielder Billy Hamilton opened the seventh with a leadoff triple and scored when Votto, the Reds’ first baseman, followed with his fifth home run of the season.
Peralta went seven innings but was charged with all six Cincinnati runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five.
Right-fielder Ryan Braun spoiled the shutout bid with one out in the ninth inning when he homered to center off Reds right-hander Jumbo Diaz.
Replay helped Peralta get out of the second inning unscathed.
A one-out single by catcher Brayan Pena and a two-out walk to second baseman Khristopher Negron put runners at first and second for Desclafani, who ripped a single up the middle.
Brewers center fielder Gerardo Parra scooped it up and rifled a throw to catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who was late with the tag, according to home plate umpire Scott Barry.
Manager Ron Roenicke challenged the call and it was overturned, ending the inning.
Milwaukee got its first hit in the seventh on a double by first baseman Adam Lind.
Braves’ McKirahan suspended
Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Andrew McKirahan has been suspended 80 games for performance-enhancing drug use.
The office of the commissioner announced McKirahan’s suspension without pay on Monday after he tested positive for Ipamorelin in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The suspension of McKirahan is effective immediately.
The 25-year-old McKirahan has a 4.15 ERA in three appearances for the Braves this season. He becomes the third major leaguer this month to be suspended for PEDs. The other two were New York Mets closer Jenrry Mejia and Minnesota Twins starter Ervin Santana.