By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso hit two home runs to take the major league lead, Jacob deGrom struck out 11 and the New York Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 Monday night in the opener of a crucial four-game series for both teams.

The Diamondbacks began the day 1½ games behind the Cubs for the second NL wild-card spot and the Mets trailed by four. Chicago played later at San Diego.

Alonso hit a solo drive in the first inning, then connected for his 47th home run in the fifth. He moved two ahead Mike Trout for most in the majors and closed within five of Aaron Judge’s rookie record set two years ago.

DeGrom (9-8) allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. He gave up a home run to former teammate Wilmer Flores in the fifth.

Seth Lugo pitched two innings for his fifth save.

Merrill Kelly (10-14) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings.

YANKEES 5, RED SOX 0

BOSTON (AP) –New York officially ended Boston’s three-year reign as AL East champs.

The defending World Series champion Red Sox are still in playoff contention, but barely. They began the day eight games out of the second AL wild-card spot.

James Paxton (13-6) won his eighth straight start, allowing four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three in setting a career best in victories as the Yankees increased their lead to nine games over second-place Tampa Bay.

Austin Romine and Gio Urshela each hit solo homers for the Yankees, who took the final three of a four-game series. New York increased its club record to 270 homers, a night after setting the mark.

Eduardo Rodríguez (17-6) gave up one run in six innings, striking out nine with five hits and a walk while throwing a season-high 117 pitches.

Jackie Bradley Jr. had three hits for Boston.

ASTROS 15,

ATHLETICS 0

HOUSTON (AP) — Zack Greinke struck out five in six strong innings, Robinson Chirinos and Yordan Alvarez each homered twice as Houston hit a major league-record six home runs in the first two innings, and the high-scoring Astros routed Oakland for their fifth straight victory.

After a 21-1 win over Seattle on Sunday, the Astros set a franchise record for runs scored in consecutive games with 36.

Houston hit six of its seven homers in the first two innings for an 11-0 lead. The seven shots matched a franchise record for homers in a game set Sept. 9, 2000, against the Chicago Cubs. Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley also homered.

The Astros extended their lead over Oakland to 10 ½ games in the AL West.

Greinke (15-5) retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced. He allowed just two hits and didn’t walk a batter.

Houston’s offensive exploits spoiled Mike Fiers’ try at a piece of A’s history. The right-hander had won 12 straight decisions and was bidding to match Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter’s run in 1973 for the best since the club moved to the Bay Area.

Fiers (14-4) allowed a career-high nine runs on nine hits in one-plus innings. He allowed a career-high five home runs.

BRAVES 7, PHILLIES 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mike Foltynewicz threw seven impressive innings, Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuna Jr. hit homers and NL East-leading Atlanta beat Philadelphia.

Atlanta increased its lead over Washington to 9½ games and reduced its magic number to 10 with 17 games remaining. The Phillies entered two games behind the Cubs for the second wild-card spot in the NL.

Foltynewicz (6-5) retired the first 13 batters before Corey Dickerson went deep in the fifth. He gave up three hits, one run and struck out seven. The right-hander won his fifth straight decision.

Aaron Nola (12-5) gave up four runs and six hits in six innings. The Phillies have lost their ace’s last four starts.

Cesar Hernandez hit a solo homer off Josh Tomlin in the ninth to cap the scoring.