Blue Jays, Mariners both victorious

TORONTO — Russell Martin’s seventh home run of the season barely made it over the wall, but like most of his homers this year, his timing was impeccable.

Martin hit a deep fly ball to centre field that Willy Garcia had to play right to the wall. As the White Sox centre-fielder jumped up to catch the ball, it bounced off the wall directly behind his glove and over. The shot drove in Troy Tulowitzki and helped the Toronto Blue Jays rally past the Chicago White Sox 7-3 on Sunday afternoon. Five of Martin’s home runs this season have either tied the game for the Blue Jays or given them the lead.

“I’d say that’s pretty good timing,” Martin said with a laugh. “I don’t know what else to say but timing is key, timing is everything they say.”

Kendrys Morales hit a two-run blast as Toronto (33-35) came back from as 3-0 deficit. Kevin Pillar had an RBI single and Ryan Goins drove in a run with a triple to account for the rest of the Blue Jays’ runs.

J.A. Happ (2-4) struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings, but allowed eight hits and three runs.

The win was timely for Toronto as well, with the Blue Jays struggling to a 7-8 record so far in June after back-to-back losses at Rogers Centre to the last-place White Sox.

It was also important for Toronto to hit the road on a winning note with a four-game series in Texas starting today.

MARINERS 7, RANGERS 3

ARLINGTON, Texas — After consecutive six-run losses against Texas, the Seattle Mariners got to the Rangers’ ace on Sunday and earned a long-awaited victory in Arlington.

Kyle Seager drove in three runs with three doubles, Christian Bergman pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Mariners beat Yu Darvish and the Rangers 7-3.