Blue Jays crushed by Heim, Rangers

Jonah Heim hit his third career grand slam, Evan Carter launched his first major league homer, and the Rangers beat the Blue Jays, 10-4, at Toronto Monday night in the opener of a fourgame series that could help decide the AL wild-card race.

Texas (79-64) closed within a halfgame of Toronto (80-64) in the wildcard standings. The Blue Jays entered one game ahead of Seattle for the second American League wild card.

The Rangers won their third straight, their longest streak since a season-high eight-game run in early August. They reached their highest single-season victory total since winning 95 games in 2016. Texas hasn’t finished with a winning record in any of the six seasons since.

Mullins, Orioles win

Cedric Mullins hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, and the Orioles beat the Cardinals, 11-5, to begin a crucial homestand.

The Orioles have a three-game lead over Tampa Bay atop the AL East, and they host the Rays for a four-game series after St. Louis leaves. The Rays beat the Twins, 7-4, at Minneapolis.

Baltimore trailed, 5-4, when Mullins hit a drive to right off reliever Andre Pallante, who had just replaced starter Dakota Hudson (6-2).

The Orioles withstood a shaky outing from Dean Kremer, who allowed five runs in 4‚ innings. D.L. Hall (1-0) won in relief.

Gunnar Henderson also homered for Baltimore. He and Aaron Hicks each had three hits.

Ohtani (oblique) scratched

Angels star Shohei Ohtani was scratched as he continues to deal with a strained right oblique.

Ohtani got hurt during batting practice before the Angels’ 6-3 loss to Baltimore a week ago. He had missed seven straight games before he was pulled from Monday night’s lineup in Seattle. He was replaced at designated hitter by

Mike Moustakas.

The 29-year-old Ohtani could be back in the lineup either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ohtani already has been shut down for the season as a pitcher.

Olson hits HR No. 50

Brandon Marsh homered, Jake Cave hit an RBI triple and the Phillies spoiled Matt Olson’s 50th homer and salvaged a doubleheader split with a

7-5 win over the Braves at Philadelphia.

Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. went deep for the Braves in a 10-8, 10-inning win in the opener. Harris also homered in the nightcap.

Olson hit a three-run homer off the second deck in the third and added a solo shot for his MLB-best 50th in the sixth, both off Phillies starter Michael Lorenzen (9-9). Lorenzen gave up four runs in five innings. Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth for his 23rd save.

Waldichuk: Straight A’s

Ken Waldichuk pitched six hitless innings in relief and Brent Rooker hit the first of three home runs by the Athletics in their 4-0 victory over the Astros at Houston.

Houston, which entered with a 2½-game lead in the AL West over Seattle, fell to 9-2 against the last-place

A’s. Oakland improved to 45-99, delaying the team’s 100th loss for at least another day.

Oakland opener Mason Miller pitched two innings and allowed one hit. Waldichuk (3-7) entered in the third and gave up just two baserunners, on a walk and a hit by pitch.