Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer and Troy Tulowitzki added a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, who improved to 44-39, while Carlos Santana homered for the Indians, who fell to 49-31.
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Cleveland pitcher Zach McAllister made his first start of the season despite working an inning of relief in the 2-1 victory on Friday.
Victor Martinez kept it alive by hustling up the first-base line to avoid grounding into what would have been an inning-ending double play that would have allowed the Rays to cling to a 1-0 lead.
There wasn’t much celebration on Canada Day at the Roger’s Centre in Toronto, Ontario yesterday.
After Corey Kluber beat Atlanta on Tuesday at Turner Field, he was asked about the Indians’ winning streak, a streak that would grow to 14 games.
Dodgers: Former A’s right-hander Brandon McCarthy is scheduled to make his season debut Sunday when he starts against the Colorado Rockies.
Cleveland’s franchise-record winning streak was stopped at 14 games Saturday in part by a controversial replay call. Not only was it the Blue Jays’ largest margin of victory this season, the 17 runs were a season high and the eight runs scored in the sixth inning were the most in a single inning this season.
“Losing is hard, I don’t care”, Indians manager Terry Francona said after the game Saturday. “I don’t know how you can overrule that”. With the game out of reach and the bullpen needing rest, the Indians used catcher Chris Gimenez to pitch two innings; becoming the third position player to take the mound this series.
The Blue Jays scored a season-high eight runs in the sixth inning, three on the 14th homer of the season by Tulowitzki.
“The boys came out swinging today”, left-hander J.A. Happ said. He allowed one run in seven innings, striking out 11 and not walking a batter.
“All day it was just a fight for him”, Francona said. “The ball has such good finish through the plate”.
Houston starter Doug Fister (8-4) allowed nine hits and five runs in 4 2-3 innings for his second straight loss. Davis doubled around loud flinouts, and Jose Ramirez fought off a ton of two strike pitches, working the count full and then hitting a weak ground ball that found its way up the middle and tied the game. He is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five career games against the Indians, including four starts. He also pitched for Texas against the Angels on July 10, 2014.
The popular right-hander set a major-league record with 12 consecutive starts of six or more innings and five or less hits, but began experiencing pain two starts ago while swinging a bat during an inter-league series in Philadelphia.
“Unfortunately my career ERA of zero skyrocketed a little bit today”, Gimenez joked.
Mariners 12, Orioles 6 • Seth Smith had three hits, including a three-run homer, to boost host Seattle. As for Sunday, well, let’s just say momentum has a big head start on Kluber and his teammates.
OF Abraham Almonte was activated Sunday after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.
OF Michael Brantley (right shoulder) was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. Uribe left Saturday’s 9-6 loss after he was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning.
Harrell (1-0) was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett for the start.
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With Estrada’s health in question, Drew Hutchison has earned a longer stay with the Blue Jays. He is batting. 565 with seven homers and 21 RBIs in his last 13 games.
