Nationals rout Brewers, Blue Jays beat Athletics
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals tied a franchise record with eight home runs, including two apiece by Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, while Max Scherzer pitched six innings of three-hit ball in a 15-2 rout of the fading Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
Washington matched two major league records in a seven-run third inning: Most consecutive home runs (four) and most home runs in an inning (five).
After Harper connected off Michael Blazek (0-1) in the first inning, Brian Goodwin started the long-ball barrage in the third with a two-run drive. Wilmer Difo, Harper and Zimmerman followed with long home runs.
The eight home runs tied the franchise mark set in July 1978 by the Montreal Expos against Atlanta.
Blue Jays 8, Athletics 4
TORONTO (AP) — Steve Pearce hit a game-winning grand slam in the 10th inning as Toronto beat Oakland to complete a four-game sweep.
Oakland reliever Liam Hendriks (3-2) walked the bases loaded with two outs before Pearce hooked a 3-2 pitch down the left field line and into the second deck.
Kendrys Morales, who hit a game-winning homer in the ninth inning Wednesday, had two more home runs Thursday.
Morales connected off Sean Man- aea in the fifth and added a tying blast off Blake Treinen in the ninth, the 19th multihomer game of his career.
Josh Donaldson also homered for Toronto, hitting a solo blast in the first.
Indians 2, Angels 1
CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor Bauer pitched a season-high eight innings while Francisco Lindor singled to break a tie in the seventh as Cleveland beat Los Angeles for its seventh consecutive victory.
Cleveland is on its longest winning streak of the season and is a season-high 10 games over .500.
Bauer (9-8) struck out six and allowed seven hits. Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his 18th save. JC Ramirez (9-9) took the loss.
Cubs 6, White Sox 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice and drove in four runs as the Chicago Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox for their third consecutive victory.
Anthony Rizzo also connected and Jon Lester pitched seven effective innings as the Cubs improved to 11-2 since the All-Star break.
The NL Central leaders also increased their advantage over the second-place Brewers to 1 1/2 games ahead of their big series this weekend in Milwaukee.