Red Sox stave off late Blue Jays rally for first win in five games
TORONTO Christian Vazquez hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Monday to snap a four-game losing streak for the American East leaders.
Eduardo Nunez also homered for Boston (74-57) and Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland had an RBI apiece as the Red Sox extended their division lead to 3 1/2 games over the New York Yankees.
Justin Smoak's two-run home run in the ninth off closer Craig Kimbrel pulled the Blue Jays (61-70) to within one but the comeback stopped there.
Drew Pomeranz (14-4) went six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while walking five and striking out four.
Vazquez gave Boston a 4-3 lead, its first lead of the night, putting Danny Barnes' fastball into the second deck for a tworun home run. The Red Sox added to the lead five batters later as Moreland's single scored a run.
CUBS 6, PIRATES 1
CHICAGO — Mike Montgomery pitched six-hit ball into the eighth inning and helped himself at the plate, leading the Chicago Cubs to victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
RAYS 12, ROYALS 0
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals extended their scoreless streak to an AL record-tying 43 innings, getting shut out for a fourth straight game in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
NATIONALS 11, MARLINS 2
WASHINGTON — Max Scherzer overpowered Giancarlo Stanton, Howie Kendrick hit a threerun triple and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins.
ORIOLES 7, MARINERS 6
BALTIMORE — Adam Jones hit a milestone home run, Welington Castillo had three hits and two RBIs and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners.
INDIANS 6, YANKEES 2
NEW YORK — Corey Kluber outpitched Luis Severino, and slumping Jose Ramirez homered twice to power the Cleveland Indians past the New York Yankees.
PHILLIES 6, BRAVES 1
PHILADELPHIA — Rhys Hoskins drove in the go-ahead run with a sixthinning double, Aaron Nola pitched seven strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves.