In the first game of a day-night doubleheader, Jeremy Guthrie ties a franchise record by going 16 consecutive starts without a loss for the Royals. The 34 year-old right-hander works 6.2 innings without giving up a run in Kansas City’s 9-0 victory over Cleveland at Kauffman Stadium.

Another rookie, Reds starter Tony Cingrani, has a big day, collecting 11 strikeouts, including four in the 4th inning, in six scoreless innings. He also gets his first career hit – a single off Ross Detwiler in the 2nd – as Cincinnati defeats the Nationals, 5 – 2. The four-strikeout inning is made possible when leadoff hitter Denard Span reaches first base on a dropped third strike by C Corky Miller.

The Pirates take the NL Central lead behind rookie Jeff Locke, who gives up only 3 hits and no runs over 7 innings, beating the Cardinals, 9 – 0. It is Pittsburgh’s 15th win in April, their best total since 1992. C Russell Martin hits a pair of homers to back up Locke’s pitching, while Clint Hurdle celebrates his 700th win as a big league manager.

The Yankees complete a four-game sweep of Toronto with a 3 – 2 win at home. All four wins are come-from-behind, today’s being highlighted by a two-run homer by Lyle Overbay in the 7th. Jays ace R.A. Dickey, still complaining of a stiff neck and back, falls to 2-4 on the year and will undergo an MRI to find the source of the persisting discomfort.