Semien's slam, solo shot lift Athletics

Oakland, Calif.

Marcus Semien hit a grand slam in the eighth after his tying solo homer leading off the fifth, Chris Herrmann had a career-high four hits, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Thursday for a winning series against the AL Central leaders.

Semien sent the first pitch from Mike Morin over the wall in left-center for his 13th homer of the year and fourth career grand slam. He matched his career high with five RBIs, also done last year, while notching his fifth two-homer game and second this season.

Wei-Chung Wang (1-0) pitched 21/3 scoreless innings of relief for his first career win in 34 appearances over parts of three major league seasons — and it was a timely outing by the Taiwanese lefty on a day the A's bullpen was thin after a 4-3, 12-inning loss Wednesday night.

Nationals 5, Marlins 2: Anthony Rendon hit his 20th homer and knocked in the go-ahead run to help Washington finish off a three-game sweep of last-place Miami. Washington has won eight of nine and 13 of 16 to climb to a season-best four games over .500.

Indians 8, Royals 4: Francisco Lindor drove in three, Jose Ramirez homered twice and Cleveland rallied to beat bumbling Kansas City to complete a three-game sweep. Tyler Naquin and Jason Kipnis also drove in runs for the suddenly streaking Indians, who beat the Royals, losers of four straight and seven of eight, for the fifth time out of six.

Tigers 11, White Sox 5: Niko Goodrum lined a two-run homer in Detroit's five-run sixth, Matthew Boyd struck out 13 to tie a career high and the Tigers topped Chicago. Miguel Cabrera added a 454-foot solo shot and doubled, and Jeimer Candelario also homered. John Hicks and Nicholas Castellanos each had two RBIs as Detroit rebounded after being swept in a doubleheader on Wednesday...