Around the horn
¦ Blue Jays: DH Kendrys Morales set a franchise record by homering for the seventh consecutive game, an 8-3 loss to the Phillies. Morales became the seventh player in history with a seven-game streak. The record is eight. ... SS Troy Tulowitzki, who has not played in over a year due to bone spurs on both heels, said he planned to compete to regain his starting job next year.
¦ Nationals: Shut out in three straight games, the Nationals ended their 32-inning drought on Juan Soto’s RBI groundout in the sixth, then exploded for 14 more runs to rout the Mets 15-0. Mark Reynolds hit a grand slam, and Bryce Harper slugged a pinch three-run double.
¦ Cardinals: Matt Carpenter’s four doubles keyed a 12-3 victory over the Rockies. Austin Gomber struck out six in six innings and had a two-run infield single. The Cards took two of three in the series and maintained a halfgame lead for the top NL wild card over the Brewers, who beat the Pirates 7-4.
¦ Diamondbacks: Paul Goldschmidt hit his 30th home run and Zack Greinke won for the first time in almost a month in a 5-2 victory over the Mariners.
Greinke (13-8) gave up one unearned run on five hits in 6 2 /3 innings, striking out six. The D’backs moved back atop the NL West, a game up on the Rockies and 2 1 /2 ahead of the Dodgers.
¦ Astros: Framber Valdez gave up one run on two hits over five innings in his first career start as the Astros beat the Angels 3-1 for their fifth straight win. Carlos Correa delivered a two-run single.
Jose Altuve went 1-for-4 and is batting .350 in five games since returning from the DL.
¦ A’s: Matt Chapman homered twice, Jed Lowrie drove in three runs with a homer and a double and the A’s beat the Twins 6-2.
The A’s, 56-0 when leading after seven innings, extended their lead over the Mariners to five games in the race for the second AL wild card. Tyler Austin homered twice for the Twins. ... LHP Sean Manaea went on the DL with shoulder impingement.
¦ Nationals: Shut out in three straight games, the Nationals ended their 32-inning drought on Juan Soto’s RBI groundout in the sixth, then exploded for 14 more runs to rout the Mets 15-0. Mark Reynolds hit a grand slam, and Bryce Harper slugged a pinch three-run double.
¦ Cardinals: Matt Carpenter’s four doubles keyed a 12-3 victory over the Rockies. Austin Gomber struck out six in six innings and had a two-run infield single. The Cards took two of three in the series and maintained a halfgame lead for the top NL wild card over the Brewers, who beat the Pirates 7-4.
¦ Diamondbacks: Paul Goldschmidt hit his 30th home run and Zack Greinke won for the first time in almost a month in a 5-2 victory over the Mariners.
Greinke (13-8) gave up one unearned run on five hits in 6 2 /3 innings, striking out six. The D’backs moved back atop the NL West, a game up on the Rockies and 2 1 /2 ahead of the Dodgers.
¦ Astros: Framber Valdez gave up one run on two hits over five innings in his first career start as the Astros beat the Angels 3-1 for their fifth straight win. Carlos Correa delivered a two-run single.
Jose Altuve went 1-for-4 and is batting .350 in five games since returning from the DL.
¦ A’s: Matt Chapman homered twice, Jed Lowrie drove in three runs with a homer and a double and the A’s beat the Twins 6-2.
The A’s, 56-0 when leading after seven innings, extended their lead over the Mariners to five games in the race for the second AL wild card. Tyler Austin homered twice for the Twins. ... LHP Sean Manaea went on the DL with shoulder impingement.