MLB roundup: Gray helps Yankees beat Mariners

NEW YORK — Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer, Sonny Gray pitched seven strong innings and the New York Yankees claimed a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Greg Bird returned to New York’s lineup after missing more than three months because of a bruised right ankle. The first baseman reached base twice and scored a run in his first appearance since May 1.

Ellsbury, who has become the Yankees’ fourth outfielder, hit an RBI single in his first at-bat off Yovani Gallardo (5-10) and homered in his next at-bat in the fourth.

Gray (8-8) delivered another strong performance in his fifth start for the Yankees, holding the Mariners to one run and three hits. Gray, who has a 2-3 record with the Yankees, allowed two earned runs or fewer for the 11th straight start, the longest streak in the majors this season.

Blue Jays 10, Twins 9

TORONTO — Josh Donaldson and Kendrys Morales homered, Marco Estrada pitched six effective innings and Toronto held on to defeat Minnesota.

Donaldson, who had three hits and three RBIs, started a six-run fifth for Toronto with a two-run homer.

Max Kepler hit his second career grand slam for Minnesota, and Eduardo Escobar added a two-run homer for the Twins.

Toronto’s Roberto Osuna allowed two unearned runs in the ninth, but picked up his 34th save.

Athletics 8, Rangers 3

OAKLAND, Calif. — Chad Pinder hit his 11th and 12th home runs of the season, left-hander Sean Manaea pitched five strong innings to end his three-game losing streak, and Oakland defeated Texas.

Texas remained two games behind Minnesota (66-63) for the second wild-card spot in the American League.

Pinder hit solo home runs off Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels in the first and third innings. Hamels (9-2) gave up six runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings, matching his shortest outing of the year, as his five-game winning streak ended

Orioles 7, Red Sox 0

BOSTON — Tim Beckham’s three-run homer capped Baltimore’s five-run second inning, and Kevin Gausman tossed 7 2/3 scoreless frames with five strikeouts for the Orioles.

Beckham’s homer was his 18th of the season and his sixth since joining the Orioles in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31.

Jonathan Schoop added a solo home run for the Orioles, his 28th of the year to tie Manny Machado for the team lead. It was Schoop’s team-leading 95th RBI of the season, establishing a single-season RBI record for an Orioles second baseman. The previous record was 94 by Roberto Alomar in 1996.

Nationals 9, Mets 4

WASHINGTON — Gio Gonzalez allowed just two runs in 6 2/3 innings and Adrian Sanchez went 2-for-4 with three RBIs as Washington beat New York.

Gonzalez (13-5), who gave up six hits with two strikeouts and one walk, won his fifth start in a row and has not lost at home since July 6 to the Atlanta Braves. His ERA is 2.40 after he posted a 4.57 ERA last season.

Wilmer Flores was 4-for-4 with three RBIs for the Mets.