Urshela and Yankees just keep on mashing

Gio Urshela hit two home runs for the second straight game and the New York Yankees outslugged rookie Bo Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays 12- 6 Thursday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best nine games.

Playing in Toronto for the first time, Bichette became the first player in major league history to double in nine consecutive games. He also homered, giving him an unprecedented 13 extra-base hits in his first 11 career games.

The Yankees have hit a record 19 homers over their last four games, including at least five in each win during a three- game sweep at Baltimore this week. Mike Tauchman also homered Thursday to give New York three connections.

The Yankees have homered in 12 consecutive games. SALE BACK ON TRACK » Chris Sale righted himself and struck out 13 over eight two-hit innings, Sam Travis hit a tworun homer and the Boston Red Sox beat the visiting Los Angeles Angels 3- 0.

Sale (6-11) had allowed 14 runs over nine innings during his previous two starts, both against the rival New York Yankees. He carved up the Angels in his 13th outing with double- digit strikeouts this season.

The Red Sox had lost nine of 10 games. CUBS ON A ROLL » Anthony Rizzo had a pair of hits as part of a 30th birthday celebration, Nicholas Castellanos added to his Chicago surge with a pair of homers and the Cubs beat the host Cincinnati Reds 12- 5 for their biggest NL Central lead of the season.

The Cubs’ sixth win in seven games gave them a 3½-game margin over the idle Brewers.

Ian Happ drove in four runs with a single and a tworun homer, his second straight game with four RBIs.