HR derby in Washington
The Washington Nationals staged their own version of Home Run Derby, with Michael Blazek serving as the unwilling batting practice pitcher.
The Nationals tied a franchise record with eight homers and matched two major league marks during a prolific third inning that highlighted a 15-2 rout of the fading Milwaukee Brewers in Washington.
Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman each homered twice for the Nationals, who banged out 19 hits and reached double figures in runs for the 18th time.
Washington equaled two big league records in a seven-run third: Most consecutive home runs (four) and most home runs in an inning (five).
“We had a big offensive barrage today,” manager Dusty Baker said.
All the homers in the third inning were hit off Blazek (0-1), who was making his first major league start following 108 appearances in relief. He is the first pitcher to allow five home runs in an inning.
After Harper connected in the first inning, Brian Goodwin started the longball party in the third with a two-run drive after Blazek walked Washington starter and birthday boy Max Scherzer (12-5).
Wilmer Difo, Harper and Zimmerman followed with homers, and one out later Anthony Rendon resumed the fun with a shot that finally chased Blazek.
The Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg (elbow) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and fellow pitcher Sammy Solis was recalled.
American League
Yankees 6, Rays 5 — The Tampa Bay infield watched Gary Sanchez’ playable grounder bounce through the left side for a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, and Brett Gardner homered leading off the 11th to give host New York the win.
The Rays acquired first baseman Lucas Duda from the New York Mets and reliever Dan Jennings from the Chicago White Sox while giving up one minor leaguer in each trade.
Blue Jays 8, Athletics 4 — Steve Pearce hit a gamewinning grand slam in the 10th inning as Toronto completed a four-game sweep of visiting Oakland, with Kendrys Morales contributing two homers to the win and Josh Donaldson also going deep.
Indians 2, Angels 1— Trevor Bauer (9-8) pitched a season-high eight innings, Francisco Lindor singled to break a tie in the seventh and host Cleveland won its seventh straight game, against Los Angeles.
Marlins 4, Reds 1 — Derek Dietrich homered and drove in three runs, Chris O’Grady (2-1) pitched seven scoreless innings and A.J. Ramos got the final four outs for his 20th save as host Miami beat Cincinnati.
Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 0 — J.D. Martinez accounted for the runs with a grand slam and Zack Godley (4-4) combined with two relievers for the shutout as visiting Arizona downed St. Louis.
Padres 7, Mets 5 — Manuel Margot came within a triple of the cycle and drove in three runs, and fellow rookie Dusty Coleman hit his first major league home run, leading San Diego past visiting New York.
Cubs 6, White Sox 3 — Kyle Schwarber homered twice and had four RBI, Anthony Rizzo also went deep and Jon Lester (8-6) got the win as the Cubs beat the host White Sox to move to 11-2 since the All-Star break.