Monday's MLB roundup

Justin Verlander tamed the New York Yankees, then toyed with their fans.

Verlander slowed down the highest-scoring team in the majors, picking off a familiar opponent by pitching the Houston Astros past host New York 5-1 Monday.

"I've had some success against them in the past," he said. "Every day is a new day, especially going up against a lineup like that."

Facing the only club in baseball that hasn't been shut out this season, Verlander (7-2) blanked the Yankees until Greg Bird hit a leadoff home run in the seventh.

When he left later in the inning with a major league-best 1.11 ERA, Verlander got a cheer from a solid contingent of Astros fans wearing bright orange behind the dugout — but even louder jeers from the local fans. Verlander enjoyed the moment, taking off his cap and waving it toward the Bronx boobirds.

"Just having fun," he said. "Yankees fans having fun with me, so I decided to have some fun back."

J.D. Davis hit an early three-run homer and Jose Altuve had a solo drive, helping Houston win for the sixth time in eight games.

Boston 8, Toronto 3: Andrew Benintendi hit a three-run homer of Aaron Sanchez to cap a five-run fourth inning and J.D. Martinez added a solo homer, his 17th, for the host Red Sox. It was the Blue Jays' 11th loss in 15 games, dropping them to 2-5 vs. Boston this season.

Detroit 9, Los Angeles 3: James McCann hit a grand slam in the third inning, and winner Mat Boyd allowed two hits in five-plus innings in 90-degree heat in Detroit. Tigers outfielder Niko Goodrum had to leave the game in the fourth because of heat exhaustion.

Seattle 2, Texas 1: Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager hit run-scoring singles in the sixth after the Rangers failed to turn a double play, enabling the host Mariners to escape with another one-run victory and their ninth win in 10 games.

Tampa Bay 1, Oakland 0 (13): Mallex Smith hit an RBI single with two outs in the 13th inning and Jonny Venters got his first save in seven years for the Rays in Oakland.

Atlanta 4, New York 3 (first game): Charlie Culberson's two-run pinch homer off Seth Lugo in the bottom of the ninth inning won it for the Braves. The Mets lost their fourth in a row.

Los Angeles 5, Philadelphia 4: Yasmani Grandal singled home the go-ahead run and the Dodgers scored three times in the eighth inning, spoiling Phillies manager Gabe Kapler's return to Los Angeles.

Chicago 7, Pittsburgh 0: Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI and was at the center of a controversial ruling that led to the ejection of Pirates manager Clint Hurdle in the eighth.

Arizona 12, Cincinnati 5: Nick Ahmed, Chris Owings and John Ryan Murphy homered as Arizona's slumping offense came to life in a home rout of the Reds.

Colorado 6, San Francisco 5 (10): Chris Iannetta drove in the winning run with a single up the middle in the 10th inning as the host Rockies beat the Giants.

Miami 7, San Diego 2: Marlins left­hander Caleb Smith gave up one run and four hits in seven-plus innings and raised his MLB rookie strikeout lead to 69.