Aug 2, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton throws against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
TORONTO — Chris Colabello hit a two-run home run, R.A. Dickey pitched seven shutout innings and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.
The benches emptied with two outs in the top of the eighth when Blue Jays right-handed reliever Aaron Sanchez was ejected after hitting a batter with a pitch.
Ben Zobrist followed with his ninth home run of the season, and third of the series, against right-hander Roberto Osuna to cut the lead to 3-2. The Blue Jays scored twice in the bottom of the inning to complete the four-game series with the Royals with three wins.
Dickey (6-10), the Blue Jays right-handed knuckleballer, allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six. Osuna picked up his seventh save.
Pirates 3, Reds 0
CINCINNATI — Charlie Morton pitched seven shutout innings and Neil Walker hit a solo home run, lifting Pittsburgh over Cincinnati to earn a split.
Both benches cleared in the top of the eighth after Brandon Phillips was hit by Pirates left-hander Tony Watson, an inning after Andrew McCutchen of the Reds was plunked by Pedro Villarreal. Reds center fielder Marlon Byrd tussled briefly with right-hander Joe Blanton as both teams postured in the infield.
Just as it appeared calm was restored, Reds third baseman Todd Frazier and Pirates third baseman Sean Rodriguez engaged in a shouting match causing the clubs to converge again. No punches were thrown by two clubs which have a recent history of hit batsman. Rodriguez, Byrd and Reds first baseman Joey Votto were ejected. In the ninth, Pirates closer Mark Melancon was ejected after hitting Tucker Barnhart. Manager Clint Hurdle was ejected as well.
Tigers 6, Orioles 1
BALTIMORE — Daniel Norris allowed just one run over 7 1/3 innings in his Detroit debut, J.D. Martinez homered and the Tigers breezed past Baltimore, earning a split of the four-game series.
The Orioles finished their homestand at 5-2 and remain within striking distance for one of the two American League wild-card playoff spots.
Norris (2-1), who was acquired from the Blue Jays in exchange for ace David Price at the non-waiver trade deadline, gave the Tigers hope for the future. He gave up four hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Norris started five games for the Blue Jays this season, going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA.
Marlins 5, Padres 2
MIAMI — Closer A.J. Ramos blew Jose Fernandez’s chance at a major league record, but Miami still managed to rally in dramatic fashion over San Diego.
Adeiny Hechavarria of the Marlins had the first walk-off hit of his career, a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth. It was his fifth homer of the season, and it came on a 1-0 pitch from reliever Brandon Maurer (7-4).
In 24 career starts at Marlins Park, Fernandez has a 1.15 ERA. Had he won, he would have tied Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82) as the only major league pitchers since 1900 to have won the first 16 decisions of their career at home.
Braves 6, Phillies 2
PHILADELPHIA — Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran allowed two runs and struck out seven to pick up just his second road win of the season.
Teheran (7-6) got the run support he needed with a two-out, four-run rally in the top of the fifth inning that put the Braves ahead for good against the Phillies. He earned his first road win since his season debut on April 6 at Miami.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak and marked the end of a 10-game road trip for the Braves, and it also helped them avoid getting swept for the sixth time this season.
Rays 4, Red Sox 3
BOSTON — James Loney drove in two runs, including the winning run on a one-out bloop single to center in the eighth inning, as Tampa Bay avoided a three-game sweep with a victory over Boston.
Loney’s go-ahead hit scored Asdrubal Cabrera from second. Cabrera hit a ground-rule double to right to tie the game as Evan Longoria crossed the plate. Longoria led off the eighth with a double off the Green Monster in left field.
Loney and Cabrera each had two hits and Brandon Guyer hit a solo homer and walked twice for the Rays. Right-hander Steve Geltz (2-4) earned the win in relief.
for the Rays.
