Chapman hits 102 in debut

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman was too fast to hit in his big league debut, throwing 102 mph during one perfect inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the visiting Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 on Tuesday night, wrapping up the best August by any team in the majors.

Chapman joined the Reds’ bullpen and matched the hype his first time out, throwing four pitches clocked at 100 mph or better. The Reds called up the hard-throwing lefty, hoping he can add some sizzle to their September — and beyond.

The Reds have pulled away from second-place St. Louis in the NL Central by going 19-8 in August, the best mark in the majors.

Pirates 14, Cubs 7: Neil Walker and Garrett Jones each hit a long two-run homer, and Pittsburgh won at Chicago.

Marlins 1, Nationals 0, 10 inn.: At Miami, Chad Tracy singled home Hanley Ramirez with the winning run as Florida beat Washington.

Astros 3, Cardinals 0: Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven innings and three relievers completed the three-hit shutout as host Houston beat slumping St. Louis.

Braves 9, Mets 2: David Ross hit his first career grand slam to cap a seven-run inning, and Atlanta routed visiting New York.

Diamondbacks 7, Padres 4: At Phoenix, Miguel Montero drove in the go-ahead runs with a ground-rule double, leading Arizona past San Diego.

Giants 5, Rockies 2: Andres Torres led off the eighth with a go-ahead home run, helping San Francisco beat visiting Colorado.

Phillies 8, Dodgers 4: Brian Schneider and Ryan Howard each hit a three-run homer to power Philadelphia at Los Angeles.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Blue Jays 13, Rays 5: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Jose Bautista hit his major league-leading 43rd homer and Toronto routed Tampa Bay.

Royals 10, Rangers 9: Willie Bloomquist scored on Alexi Ogando’s wild pitch in the ninth and host Kansas City beat Texas.

Yankees 9, Athletics 3: Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer and New York beat visiting Oakland.

White Sox 4, Indians 3: With Manny Ramirez standing in the on-deck circle ready to pinch-hit, A.J. Pierzynski connected for a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the ninth to lift Chicago at Cleveland.

Ramirez, who arrived earlier in the day to help Chicago’s playoff push, was poised to make his White Sox debut and bat for Brent Lillibridge before Pierzynski came through.

Orioles 5, Red Sox 2: Rookie Brian Matusz won his third consecutive start, and host Baltimore beat Josh Beckett and fading Boston.

Twins 4, Tigers 3: At Minneapolis, Delmon Young had two hits, including the go-ahead single in the seventh, to lift Minnesota past Detroit.