MLB roundup: Ex-Ray Matthew Liberatore carries Cards

Matthew Liberatore showed why he was once ranked among baseball's top prospects, tossing eight shutout innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The 23-year-old Liberatore established career highs for innings and strikeouts in a start (seven) against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2018.

Andrew Knizner hit a two-run home run and Tommy Edman added a solo shot for the Cardinals, who took two of three in the series.

The Rays got on the board in the ninth on Wander Franco's two-out, RBI triple off JoJo Romero. Franco scored Tampa Bay's second run on a wild pitch.

Orioles 5, Astros 4

Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle each had a home run and two RBIs to lead Baltimore over visiting Houston.

Rutschman and James McCann had two hits apiece as the Orioles salvaged the finale of the three-game series and extended their streak to 76 straight series without getting swept. Dean Kremer (11-4) pitched seven solid innings for his first victory since July 14.

Jose Altuve homered among four hits and Yainer Diaz also went deep for the Astros. Starter Hunter Brown allowed five runs and eight hits over six-plus innings. He struck out seven and walked none.

Phillies 6, Nationals 2

Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto each hit a two-run home run to lift host Philadelphia Phillies past Washington.

Realmuto had two hits and two walks. The Phillies drew nine walks overall as they took three of four in the series. Starter Aaron Nola tossed five innings and allowed five hits and one run along with six strikeouts and one walk.

Ildemaro Vargas hit two doubles and knocked in two runs for the Nationals. Starter Patrick Corbin allowed one hit and one unearned run with