(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

George Springer's two-strike, two-out, RBI single in the 11th inning lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to their fifth straight victory, a 2-1 decision over the host Tampa Bay Rays to open a four-game series on Monday.

After challenging for catcher's interference and failing, Toronto took its first lead when Springer ripped the next pitch, an 0-2 offering from Kevin Kelly (2-4), to left for a 2-1 lead.

Braydon Fisher (7-0) pitched out of a first-and-third, no-out jam in the bottom of the 11th by whiffing Brandon Lowe, Junior Caminero and Josh Lowe. In his major league debut, Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage pitched five-plus innings and allowed one run and three hits.

The Blue Jays saw their American League East lead over the second-place New York Yankees (83-67) increase to five games.

Yandy Diaz had a perfect showing at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two walks for Tampa Bay (73-77).

Astros 6, Rangers 3

Zach Cole and Jesus Sanchez came up big after an injury to Yordan Alvarez, and Houston rallied for a win over visiting Texas in the opener of a three-game series with major postseason ramifications.

Alvarez had to leave after he slipped on home plate while scoring a first-inning run, spraining his left ankle. The run, one of two that resulted from a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter (9-9), gave Houston a 2-0 lead. Cole launched a two-out, two-run homer off Leiter in the fifth, putting the Astros on top for good at 4-3.

The Astros ended the night three games up on the Rangers in the race for the third and final American League wild-card position. Houston is now a half-game back of the idle Seattle Mariners, who lead the AL West. Josh Jung hit a two-run homer for Texas, which has lost two straight following a six-game winning streak.

Cubs 4, Pirates 0

Jameson Taillon threw six shutout innings to lead visiting Chicago to a win against Pittsburgh in the opener of their three-game series.

Taillon (10-6) allowed just two hits, struck out three and walked two. The right-hander was activated from the 15-day injured list last Wednesday after being sidelined with a strained groin. He also missed all of July and half of August with a calf strain.

Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled, homered and scored twice and Michael Busch also homered for the Cubs, who have won five of six. Pirates rookie right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (4-3) went four innings, allowing three runs and six hits. Bryan Reynolds singled and walked for the Pirates, who have lost nine of the past 10.

Reds 11, Cardinals 6

Tyler Stephenson drove in three runs as visiting Cincinnati snapped its three-game losing streak by defeating St. Louis.

Sal Stewart went 3-for-5 with a homer, three runs and two RBIs as the Reds moved within two games of the New York Mets for the final National League wild-card slot. Matt McLain drove in two and scored twice. Reds starter Zack Littell allowed four runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Alec Burleson drove in two runs for the Cardinals, who have lost six of seven games and are 4 1/2 games behind the Mets. Willson Contreras went 2-for-3 with an RBI before exiting with right bicep tightness. Matthew Liberatore allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings.

Twins 7, Yankees 0

Austin Martin doubled and drove in four runs, Simeon Woods Richardson struck out a career-high 11 over six scoreless innings, and Minnesota pulled away for a shutout win over New York in Minneapolis.

Brooks Lee went 2-for-4 with a homer, a double and two RBIs for Minnesota. Luke Keaschall also drove in a run. Woods Richardson (7-4) posted his best outing of the season. The right-hander gave up two hits while seeing his ERA drop from 4.58 to 4.31.

Jose Caballero doubled for the Yankees' only extra-base hit. Aaron Judge went 0-for-1 and drew three walks for New York, which collected only two hits and dropped five games behind the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. New York also saw its AL wild-card lead cut to one game over the idle Boston Red Sox.

Braves 11, Nationals 3

Matt Olson had four hits including a three-run homer, Spencer Strider allowed one run over seven innings and visiting Atlanta beat Washington.

Drake Baldwin added a homer and two singles, driving in four runs for Atlanta, which had 16 hits in winning its second straight game. Ronald Acuna Jr. also homered. Olson added two doubles and a single and had four RBIs. Strider (6-13) allowed one run on four hits.

Daylen Lile had two hits including a home run for Washington and has reached base in 15 consecutive games. Mitchell Parker (8-16) gave up six runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings.

Orioles 4, White Sox 1

Colton Cowser hit a three-run homer and Kyle Bradish pitched five strong innings for his first win in 15 months as visiting Baltimore defeated Chicago.

Bradish (1-1) allowed one run and fanned nine in his fourth start of the season. He underwent Tommy John surgery soon after earning his last victory on June 8, 2024. Dietrich Enns threw three perfect innings for his second save.

The Orioles snapped a three-game losing streak while the White Sox dropped their fourth straight. Chicago reliever Steven Wilson (2-2) got one out and took the loss when Cowser went deep off Tyler Alexander.

--Field Level Media