Anxiety strikes Jays’ closer

Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna said Saturday he is out of sorts mentally, feeling ‘‘ anxious’’ and ‘‘ weird.’’ That’s why he was unavailable to pitch Friday against the Kansas City Royals.

‘‘ I really don’t know how to explain it,’’ Osuna, 22, said before the visiting Blue Jays’ 3- 2 loss to the Royals. ‘‘ I feel like I’m lost a little bit right now.’’

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons didn’t use Osuna, who has 19 saves, when the Royals scored four runs in the ninth inning against three relievers Friday to win 5- 4. Gibbons said Osuna was ‘‘ just not feeling well’’ but didn’t elaborate.

‘‘ I feel great physically; it’s just more mentally,’’ Osuna said through an interpreter. ‘‘ I feel a little bit anxious, a little bit weird. I feel like I’m not myself right now.’’

Paddy Steinford, the Blue Jays’ mental- performance coach, has been working with Osuna to overcome his anxiety.

Brandon Phillips hit a home run in his third consecutive game, R. A. Dickey ( 6- 5) allowed one run in seven innings and the host Atlanta Braves defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 3- 1 for their fourth consecutive victory. The result cut the Brewers’ lead over the Cubs in the National League Central to a half- game.

Brian Dozier hit a tiebreaking homer against Cody Allen ( 0- 3) to lead off the eighth inning, and the visiting Minnesota Twins overcame a dominant effort by Corey Kluber ( two unearned runs, 13 strikeouts in seven innings) to slip past the Cleveland Indians 4- 2.

Michael Taylor homered twice and scored four runs, Trea Turner went 5- for- 5 with four runs scored and the host Washington Nationals pounded out 19 hits in an 18- 3 rout of the Cincinnati Reds.