Blue Jays victorious in return to Toronto
Bo Bichette hit a two-run home run, Teoscar Hernandez added a solo shot and the Blue Jays made a triumphant return to Toronto after almost two years away from home, beating the Kansas City Royals 6-4 Friday night.
George Springer had three hits and an RBI in his first home game north of the border as the Blue Jays played at Rogers Centre for the first time since Sept. 29, 2019, an 8-3 win against Tampa Bay.
Displaced from Canada because of border restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the Blue Jays played the bulk of the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, New York, the home of their Triple-A affiliate. They began the 2021 regular season playing at their spring training home in Dunedin, Florida, before moving back to Buffalo in June.
RAYS 7, RED SOX 3 >> Yandy Díaz, Mike Zunino and Randy Arozarena homered and Tampa Bay moved within a half-game of AL East-leading Boston with a home victory.
Boston has had at least a share of first-place in the division since June 28. The Red Sox or Rays have been in the top spot since April 10. PIRATES 7, PHILLIES 0 >> Wil Crowe and two relief pitchers combined on a one-hitter, and Pittsburgh snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Philadelphia.
Crowe (3-5) pitched six innings and allowed the Phillies’ only hit, a single by Alec Bohm in the second inning. The rookie right-hander struck out four and walked four in winning his second straight start.
REDS’ VOTTO EXTENDS HOMER STREAK >> Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, putting the Cincinnati Reds star within one of the major league record.
Votto hit a 2-0 pitch from New York Mets reliever Drew Smith over the center-field fence at Citi Field to give the Reds a 3-1 lead.
The six-time All-Star and 2010 NL MVP became the eighth player to homer in at least seven straight games and first since Kendrys Morales did it for the Toronto Blue Jays in August 2018. Dale Long (1956), Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993) are the only players to go deep in eight consecutive games.