Lucas Harrell limited the damage early and the Astros came alive with a six-run sixth to down the Rockies, 7-5, on Thursday at Coors Field.

Russell Martin drilled a Luke Putkonen fastball off the left-field wall with the bases loaded in the 11th to score Neil Walker and give the Pirates a 1-0 win over the Tigers at PNC Park.

The Incredible Hulk — actor Lou Ferrigno — got some attention before the game when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. However, once the game started, it was all about the Man of Steal.

The Twins homered four times off former Minnesota right-hander Kyle Lohse, including three times in the fourth inning, en route to an 8-6 win over the Brewers on Thursday night at Target Field.

Alex Colome’s pitching, coupled with home runs by Matt Joyce and James Loney, led the Rays to a 5-2 win over the Marlins on Thursday night in front of 23,199 at Marlins Park.

Though the Yankees stand in second place in the American League East entering a weekend showdown with the first-place Red Sox, their offense has been exposed in recent days and weeks. A unit that earned plaudits for keeping the reigning division champions in the hunt is now showing cracks.

Scott Kazmir allowed one run in seven innings, and the Tribe rewarded him with seven runs in the fourth, all of which were scored with two outs, to top the Reds, 7-1, on Thursday.

Lefty Franklin Morales’ 2013 debut was a solid one, as he helped lead the Red Sox to a 9-2 victory over the Phillies on Thursday night in the finale of a unique four-game set, in which the teams played two games in each city. David Ortiz and Jonny Gomes ripped solo shots and Jarrod Saltalamacchia finished with three RBIs.

Dillon Gee delivered 7 1/3 dominant innings against the Yankees on Thursday night, leading the Mets to a 3-1 victory, their fifth in a row, and their first season Subway Series sweep in history.

Josh Johnson took another step closer to getting back to Toronto on Thursday night, when he made his second start with the Buffalo Bisons.

Ramiro Pena and Jordan Schafer combined to provide Mike Minor all the support he needed to overcome Andrelton Simmons’ error and help the Braves claim Thursday night’s 11-3 win over the Blue Jays at Turner Field.

The Orioles relied on the dominant pitching of Freddy Garcia on Thursday, edging the Nationals, 2-0, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore took three out of four games in the Battle of the Beltways, including the pair of games at home.

Injured Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett will see a nerve specialist on Monday, the next step in determining the cause of the numbing sensation in his fingers.

Yankees infielders Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis are eager to return to the Bronx and their positions at first base and third base, respectively.

While the dynamics between Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols have changed throughout the years, the mutual admiration and respect has been a constant between the longtime friends.

Barry Zito was flawed against the Oakland A’s, but he also was fearless. The left-hander survived walking a season-high six batters and lasted six innings to help the Giants triumph, 5-2, on Thursday.

Josh Hamilton was a late scratch from the Angels’ lineup on Thursday, though he came in as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning of the Angels’ 3-2 win in the Freeway Series finale.