Ortiz powers Red Sox to victory at Toronto, boosting AL East gap

ARM BUMP: Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates his three-run homer in the 6th inning with teammate Dustin Pedroia (15) during American League baseball action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday. (AP)

TORONTO: Boston’s David Ortiz hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning that lifted the Red Sox to an 11-8 win at Toronto on Sunday, opening a two-game lead on the Blue Jays at the top of the American League East division.
Jackie Bradley Jr. and Hanley Ramirez also connected for the Red Sox, who opened a mini-break in the hard-fought division, with 20 games left in the regular season.
Toronto dropped into a tie with Baltimore, which won at Detroit. The Blue Jays and Orioles provisionally hold the two AL wildcard berths, two games ahead of Detroit and the New York Yankees, with Seattle and Houston a further 1-1/2 games back.
Houston missed a chance to make up ground, losing at home against the Chicago Cubs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers saw their lead in the National League West trimmed to three games after a shutout loss at Miami.
Boston’s Ortiz put the Red Sox up 10-8 with his drive. It was his 41st career home run at Rogers Center; his highest total at any road stadium.
With his 535th career homer, Ortiz — who will retire at season’s end — moved past Jimmie Foxx into sole possession of 18th place on baseball’s career list. He also increased his season RBI total to 110, the most by a player age 40 or above since Dave Winfield had 108 for Toronto in 1992.
Baltimore’s Chris Tillman pitched six impressive innings in his return from injury, guiding the Orioles to a 3-1 win against Detroit.
Tillman allowed one run in his first appearance since Aug. 20 because of right shoulder bursitis.
The Orioles begin a critical three-game series with the division-leading Red Sox on Monday.
Chicago’s Jorge Soler and Addison Russell homered to lead the Cubs past Houston 9-5 and a step closer to clinching the NL Central.
Soler hit a solo home run as part of Chicago’s four-run third, and Russell hit a two-run shot — his 20th of the season — in the fourth as the Cubs built a 9-0 lead.
Miami’s Jose Urena was relieved just one out short of a complete game shutout as the Marlins beat the Dodgers 3-0.
Urena retired the first 14 batters he faced. He walked none while throwing 71 of 108 pitches for strikes.
He was lifted after giving up a base hit with two outs in the ninth.
Washington’s Gio Gonzalez pitched seven sharp innings as the Nationals edged Philadelphia 3-2, maintaining their nine-game lead in the NL East.
Gonzalez gave up one run, bouncing back nicely from a rough outing against Atlanta in his last start.
Los Angeles’ Jered Weaver struck out a season-high eight batters as the Angels beat AL West leader Texas 3-2.
Weaver gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings.
Andrelton Simmons, who had hit only one home run all season, hit two solo homers for the Angels.
Kansas City’s Ian Kennedy and three relievers combined to shutout the Chicago White Sox in a 2-0 victory.
Kennedy gave up only one hit in six innings.
Chicago starter Chris Sale struck out 12 in eight innings, becoming the first White Sox pitcher with four consecutive 200-strikeout seasons.
Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning to lift the Brewers to a 2-1 win at St. Louis, dropping the Cardinals back in the NL wild-card race.
The Cardinals fell half a game behind the New York Mets for the second wild card.
Tampa Bay’s Matt Andriese gave up one run in five innings to notch his first win since June and steer the Rays to a 4-2 win at the New York Yankees, ending the Yankees’ seven-game winning streak.
Cleveland ace Corey Kluber struck out 10 in seven innings as the AL Central-leading Indians beat Minnesota 7-1.
San Francisco’s Matt Moore struck out 11 in seven innings to lead the Giants to a 5-3 win against Arizona, completing a series sweep.
Seattle’s Ketel Marte drove in the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning to give the Mariners a 3-2 win against Oakland and a fifth straight victory.
New York’s Seth Lugo won his fourth straight start as the Mets defeated Atlanta 10-3.
Cincinnati’s Brandon Finnegan struck out seven in five scoreless innings as the Reds downed Pittsburgh 8-0.
Colorado’s Mark Reynolds homered leading off the 10th inning to give the Rockies a 3-2 win at San Diego, salvaging a split of the four-game series.