Yankees put Cubs to sleep in marathon match

New York: Aaron Hicks led off the 18th inning with a bunt single and scored on a grounder as the New York Yankees edged the Chicago Cubs 5-4 in a 6-hour, 5-minute game that ended early on Monday morning.

By winning the longest interleague game in terms of innings, the Yankees completed a three-game sweep.

The teams combined for a major-league-record 48 strikeouts. The previous record was 43, set by the California Angels and Oakland A’s on July 9, 1971, in a 20-inning game.

After he bunted, Hicks advanced on catcher Willson Contreras’ throwing error and moved to third on a sacrifice before he scored when Starlin Castro hit a grounder to shortstop Addison Russell, who threw wide of home.

The Yankees set franchise records for most strikeouts by batters (22) and pitchers (26), and the Cubs set a franchise record for most strikeouts by hitters (26).

Meanwhile, Ryon Healy hit a two-run, walk-off homer, lifting Oakland past Detroit 8-6.

The A’s beat closer Francisco Rodriguez (1-4) for the second straight day.

Kyle Seager homered in the eighth inning to complete Seattle’s come-from-behind 4-3 win over Texas at Safeco Field.

Edwin Diaz pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to post his sixth save.

Houston won a battle of the bombs at Angel Stadium, with Jose Altuve hitting a three-run shot in a four-run third inning and Evan Gattis going deep to start the seventh against Los Angeles in the 5-3 win.

The Astros won two of three games against the Angels for their eighth series win this season. The Angels lost for the fourth time in five games.