Reports: Red Sox, Cuban defector Rusney Castillo agree on 7-year, $72.5M deal

Red Sox manager John Farrell calls outfielder Rusney Castillo "an exciting, athletic player." The Cuban defector is expected to show off those talents for Boston soon, perhaps within the next week. Farrell spoke yesterday amid multiple media reports that the Red Sox had agreed with Castillo on a seven-year, $72.5-million contract.

Farrell discussed the 27-year-old Castillo before the opener of a three-game home series with the Seattle Mariners.

Farrell knew of the reports of the agreement, but said administrative details must be completed.

A few hours later, Austin Jackson hit a bases-loaded double with two outs in the ninth to key a five-run rally, and the Mariners sent the Red Sox to their sixth straight defeat, 5-3. Red Sox closer Koji Uehara (5-4) held a 3-0 lead with two outs and a runner on first before the Mariners broke loose.

Giants end Nats' streak

The host Washington Nationals' winning streak ended at a team record-tying 10 games when rookie Joe Panik, who attended St. John's, hit his first major-league home run in San Francisco's 10-3 romp.

Twins 20, Tigers 6: Joe Mauer had a two-run single and an RBI walk during a nine-run sixth in Minneapolis.

A's 5, Angels 3: Sonny Gray (13-7) gave up six hits and three runs in 81/3 innings in Oakland.

Braves 3, Reds 1: Justin Upton hit a two-run homer in the top of the 12th, rallying Atlanta after lefthander Mike Minor came up four outs short of a no-hitter.

Pirates 8, Brewers 3: Josh Harrison homered and drove in five runs in Milwaukee.

Phillies 5, Cardinals 4: Ryan Howard drove in a pair of runs and Kyle Kendrick overcame a rocky first inning in Philadelphia.

Rays 8, Blue Jays 0: Former Patchogue-Medford star Marcus Stroman (7-5) was hit hard for the second straight outing, giving up 10 hits and six runs in five innings in Toronto.

Royals 6, Rangers 3: Rookie Yordano Ventura (10-9) struck out six in six innings, and Billy Butler and Josh Willingham homered in Arlington.

Astros 5, Indians 1: Jon Singleton's homer capped a four-run ninth in Cleveland.

Marlins 13, Rockies 5: Marcell Ozuna drove in five runs, including a grand slam during a six-run ninth in Denver.

Cubs 4, Orioles 1: Former Oriole Jake Arietta held Baltimore to four hits in seven innings for the host Cubs. According to a report, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will have season-ending surgery on his right knee.-- AP