Moises Sierra homered and threw out pinch-runner Elliot Johnson at home plate for the final out, preserving Brandon Morrow’s first win since June 6 and leading the Blue Jays to a 2-1 victory over the slumping Rays last night in Toronto.
Edwin Encarnacion hit his 35th home run as the Blue Jays handed the Rays their sixth loss in seven games.
The Rays, who remain 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees in the AL East, acquired outfielder Ben Francisco from Houston for a player to be named.
Athletics 20, Red Sox 2
In Oakland, Calif., Brandon Moss had career highs of four hits, four RBIs and four runs, Josh Reddick hit his first career grand slam, George Kottaras hit a pair of homers and drove in five runs and the Athletics routed the Red Sox .
Rangers 5, Indians 3
In Cleveland, Adrian Beltre had four hits and scored twice to help the Rangers hand the reeling Indians their sixth straight loss. Beltre had three of his hits off Ubaldo Jimenez (9-14) as the Rangers rolled to their 10th win in 13 games.
The Indians’ 15th loss in 16 games made them 5-24 in August, tying the team record for losses in a month, set in July 1914.
Tigers 7, White Sox 4
In Detroit, Delmon Young hit a tiebreaking, three-run double in the seventh as the Tigers pulled within two games of the AL Central-leading White Sox.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Nationals 10, Cardinals 0
In Washington, Gio Gonzalez earned his 17th win with his first career shutout, and the Nationals handed Adam Wainwright his shortest start this season.
Brewers 9, Pirates 3
In Milwaukee, Corey Hart and Aramis Ramirez went 3 for 4 with home runs, and Pittsburgh starter Jeff Karstens (5-4) left for the second straight start with an injury as the Brewers beat the Pirates.
Cubs 6, Giants 4
In Chicago, Buster Posey had three hits and three RBIs, but Madison Bumgarner lasted just four innings as first-place San Francisco finished the month with an 18-11 record.
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 3
In Los Angeles, Jason Kubel homered to lead off the 11th inning, leading the Diamondbacks. It was their eighth straight win over their NL West rival.