Around the Bases: Hunter saves Tigers, Vargas shuts down the Rays

Tigers 7, Athletics 6: Torii Hunter followed up Victor Martinez's ninth-inning, two-out RBI single with a three-run home run to give the Tigers a dramatic walk-off win to prevent the four-game sweep.

Max Scherzer was off his game in this one, allowing six runs (five earned), on eight hits and one walk. Oakland had a comfortable lead after Jed Lowrie and Brandon Moss both took the Tiger's ace deep, while Bartolo Colon allowed one run on seven hits in five innings without a walk. But A's closer Grant Balfour couldn't hold back Hunter and Co. blowing just his second save this season. Tigers MLB.com beat writer Jason Beck puts this one in perspective nicely-

So to recap. #Tigers came within an out of a four-game sweep and added half a game on their AL Central lead.

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) August 30, 2013

Royals 3, Twins 1: Kansas City wins its fifth straight on the backs of Bruce Chen and the bullpen. Chen went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just one run coming off a Brian Dozier home run. The bullpen did the rest, capped off by Greg Holland's 36th save. Alex Gordon, Alcides Escobar and Chris Getz each drove in a run against a stingy Samuel Deduno. The Twins starter allowed the three runs on just four hits and one walk, making this one a tough loss for him.

Angels 2, Rays 0: Jason Vargas held the Rays scoreless over seven innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out seven. He got RBIs from Luis Jimenez and Kole Calhoun to earn the win on a tough night for offense in Tampa Bay. Rays rookie Jake Odorizzi was solid, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Mets 11, Phillies 3: Anthony Recker hit a two-run shot in the fourth and Eric Young Jr. drove in three with a triple in the seventh as the Mets rolled over Philadelphia rookie Ethan Martin and the Phillies' mop-up crew. The Mets scored runs in every inning from the third on. Mets starter Carlos Torres went 6 2/3 allowing just one run on six hits and no walks while striking out six.

Nationals 9, Marlins 0: The Marlins were shut out for the 16th time this season, with Gio Gonzalez putting up the zeros this time. Gonzalez threw seven scoreless, three-hit innings with three walks and three strikeouts. Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond all went deep for the Nationals.

Brewers 4, Pirates 0: Yovani Gallardo went seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits and a one walk while striking out five, to blank the Pirates. Jonathan Lucroy put the Brewers on top with an RBI single in the first and drove in another run in the eighth, and Aramis Ramirez homered off pirates starter Gerrit Cole in the fourth.

Orioles 3, Red Sox 2: Chris Tillman helped the Orioles avoid the sweep with seven innings of work, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out eight. Boston managed just one hit in 10 opportunities with runners in scoring position. The Orioles got their offense from the usual suspects with Manny Machado knocking in two with a double and Chris Davis providing an RBI single.

Braves 3, Indians 1: The Indians' offensive woes continue at the hands of Kris Medlen. The Braves starter went seven scoreless, allowing six hits and no walks and striking out six. Brian McCann's homer off Ubaldo Jimenez in the third was all the offense Atlanta needed against the suddenly punch-less Tribe. The Braves narrowly avoid a major loss here, however. In the fourth inning, Justin Upton took a fastball off the hand and had to leave the game. He is fine though, as the X-rays came back negative.

Mariners 3, Astros 2: Nick Franklin homered in the first inning and Franklin Gutierrez added a two-run blast in the fourth to give the Mariners their only runs here, but that was enough to top Houston. Rookie Erasmo Ramirez gave them 5 2/3 innings allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with seven strike outs and the bullpen held the Astros hitless for the final 3 1/3. Brett Wallace homered for Houston.