Blue Jays blanked by Royals
TORONTO — Jason Vargas and four relievers combined on a two-hitter, and Melky Cabrera had three hits and the only RBI in Kansas City’s 1-0 win over the host Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night.
Vargas (17-10) struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings to win his third straight start.
None of the three batters he walked advanced beyond first base. The Blue Jays did not have a runner reach scoring position.
The Royals, who have 10 games remaining, are 3 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the second AL wild-card spot.
Cabrera’s RBI came in the third against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ (9-11).
ORIOLES 3, RAYS 1
BALTIMORE — Gabriel Ynoa pitched eight innings of five-hit ball, Manny Machado homered and Baltimore beat Tampa in a matchup between fading AL East teams.
Machado’s two-run homer in the first inning off Matt Andriese (5-4) propelled the Orioles to their third win in 15 games.
Ynoa (2-2) struck out three and walked two in earning his first win as a starter in six career tries. He failed to go past five innings in any of his previous starts. Brad Brach pitched the ninth for his 18th save
CUBS 5, BREWERS 3
MILWAUKEE — Javier Baez grounded a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer in the 10th and the Chicago Cubs widened their lead in the NL Central over Milwaukee, beating the Brewers 5-3.
The Cubs now are 4 1/2 games ahead of the Brewers after winning the opener of a four-game series.