MLB RECAPS

MLB Recaps: Jays stun Angels with seven in ninth

The Sports Xchange

July 30, 2017 at 6:13 pm.

Jul 30, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;  Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Steve Pearce (28) celebrates with teammates at home plate after hitting a walk off grand slam home run against Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 30, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Steve Pearce (28) celebrates with teammates at home plate after hitting a walk off grand slam home run against Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

TORONTO — Steve Pearce hit his second walk-off grand slam of the week and the Toronto Blue Jays scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 11-10 on Sunday afternoon.

Pearce also had a game-ending grand slam Thursday to beat the Oakland Athletics. Toronto avoided a three-game sweep by Los Angeles with their biggest ninth-inning comeback win in club history.

Ezequiel Carrera and Kevin Pillar also homered for the Blue Jays while Matt Dermody (1-0) allowed one run in three innings of relief to earn his first major league victory. Toronto starter Cesar Valdez allowed seven hits and seven runs (six earned) in two-plus innings.

The Angels’ Albert Pujols had two homers and a single for four RBIs to end a 0-for-24 drought. His 16th homer of the season in the sixth increased Los Angeles’ lead to 9-4.

White Sox 3, Indians 1

CHICAGO — Matt Davidson hit a walk-off, two-run homer as Chicago ended Cleveland’s nine-game winning streak.

Davidson homered against reliever Bryan Shaw (4-5) on a 1-1 pitch as the White Sox won for only the second time in their past 16 games. Chicago did not collect its first hit until left fielder Leury Garcia smacked a solo home run with two outs in the sixth inning, tying the game at 1-all.

The White Sox activated Garcia from the 10-day disabled list before the game to take the roster spot of leadoff hitter and offensive catalyst Melky Cabrera, who was traded to Kansas City on Sunday in exchange for minor league pitchers A.J. Puckett and Andre Davis.

Cubs 4, Brewers 2

MILWAUKEE — Rookie Victor Caratini hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the seventh inning to lift Chicago over Milwaukee.

By taking the rubber match of a crucial three-game series between the top teams in the National League Central, the Cubs increased their lead to 2 1/2 games over the second-place Brewers.

Caratini was in the Cubs’ lineup at first base in place of Anthony Rizzo, who was unable to play because of back stiffness. The backup catcher fell behind 0-2 before fouling off a pair of pitches and taking a ball before drilling a fastball from Zach Davies (12-5) out to dead center field for his first major league home run.

Rays 5, Yankees 3

NEW YORK — Jacob Faria and five relievers combined on a four-hitter as Tampa Bay salvaged the finale of the four-game series with New York.

Faria did not qualify for the win after allowing three runs and three hits in four-plus innings. He was lifted after opening the fifth with consecutive walks to Brett Gardner and Clint Frazier.

Sergio Romo struck out Aaron Judge and retired Matt Holliday before Dan Jennings finished the inning. Jennings put two on with one out in the sixth and Steve Cishek (2-1) loaded the bases before getting the final two outs. Cishek struck out Judge, then pitched a clean seventh and was awarded the win by the official scorer.

Royals 5, Red Sox 3

BOSTON — Alex Gordon smashed a two-run triple to cap a four-run eighth inning as Kansas City rallied past Boston.

Gordon’s heroics were preceded by a game-tying two-run single with the bases loaded for Alcides Escobar, who had three RBIs to help the Royals take the rubber match of the three-game series.

Rafael Devers clubbed his first career homer at Fenway, a solo shot, and his second since his major league debut last Tuesday after Boston brought him up from Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox have lost seven of their last 10 games.

Tigers 13, Astros 1

DETROIT — Justin Upton hit a grand slam and tied a career best with six RBIs and Miguel Cabrera hit a milestone RBI double in Detroit’s rout of Houston.

Justin Verlander (6-7), a non-winner since June 27, retired the last seven batters he faced in his 110-pitch outing over six innings but left eight Houston runners on base in the first four, including three in the second.

The Tigers broke the game open with three runs in the sixth, chasing Lance McCullers Jr. (7-3), who gave up at least four runs in his fourth straight start. McCullers Jr. allowed eight hits, walked four, struck out four and was charged with five runs in five innings.

Rockies 10, Nationals 6

WASHINGTON — Colorado blasted Washington’s Erick Fedde in his major league debut, scoring seven runs off the right-hander en route to a victory in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu had three hits and two RBIs apiece for the Rockies. Kyle Freeland (11-7) pitched five innings to earn the victory, breaking a tie with teammate Antonio Senzatela for the most wins among major league rookies.

Colorado’s Greg Holland entered with the bases loaded in the ninth and, after allowing Anthony Rendon’s RBI single, got Howie Kendrick to ground into a double play to secure his 33rd save in 34 tries. Ryan Zimmerman homered twice and drove in four runs for the Nationals.

Cardinals 3, Diamondbacks 2

ST. LOUIS — Lance Lynn checked Arizona on two runs over six innings in St. Louis’ victory.

Lynn (9-6) gave up four hits and issued a season-high five walks, striking out three. Lynn, who has allowed only four runs in his last five starts, covering 31 1/3 innings, has been in trade rumors over the last week.

Four relievers picked up the last nine outs, with Trevor Rosenthal striking out the side in the ninth for his sixth save in eight tries. Taijuan Walker (6-5) absorbed the loss for Arizona after allowing three runs on four hits and striking out 10 over 5 2/3 innings.

Reds 6, Marlins 4

MIAMI — Rookie Luis Castillo beat his former organization and Tucker Barnhart produced a season-high three RBIs as Cincinnati snapped a six-game losing streak.

The Reds held on despite Marcell Ozuna’s three-run homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Castillo (2-4), traded with two other prospects from the Marlins to Cincinnati in January, lasted a career-high eight innings.

Dan Straily (7-7), the player Miami received in the Castillo deal, lost his third straight start. The Marlins had won eight straight games against the Reds at Marlins Park, setting a franchise record against any opponent.

Phillies 2, Braves 1

PHILADELPHIA — Freddy Galvis delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to lift Philadelphia to its second straight walk-off win over Atlanta.

Galvis hit a line drive to right field to plate Andrew Knapp, who led off the inning with a double. The Phillies loaded the bases with nobody out when Ty Kelly walked and Brian Hernandez reached on a bunt single before Galvis came through.

It was the fourth straight win for the Phillies, who are 6-0 against the Braves at home this season. Meanwhile, it was the fourth straight loss for the Braves, who have dropped seven of eight.