Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
Blue Jays slugger Josh Donaldson went off on the Twins in Sunday's 9-6 home win.
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Donaldson, nicknamed "Bringer of Rain," lived up to the billing by blasting three home runs and driving in four runs to help the Blue Jays stay ahead in the tight American League East race.
The reigning AL MVP got off to a bit of a slow start this season, but he has made up for lost time and now has 33 home runs and 91 RBIs. This was his second multi-hit game in his past three contests.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki also helped the Blue Jays by collecting two hits, including a homer, and scoring two runs. His average has raised 30 points since the start of July to .253.
Toronto made it to the ALCS last season on the strength of its hard-hitting lineup. With a little over a month to go, the Jays still have a slender lead over the Red Sox and Orioles, but Toronto will need its powerful hitters to keep bashing home runs.
It's possible all three teams make the playoffs.
Player of the day
Padres hurler Luis Perdomo spun a masterpiece to beat the Marlins 3-1. The 23-year-old rookie tossed a complete game, allowing just one run with three strikeouts. The win moved him to 7-7 on the season. He also threw seven innings of shutout baseball in his last start.
Highlight
Orioles slugger Mark Trumbo bashed his 40th home run of the season:
Make it 4⃣0⃣.
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) August 28, 2016
Mark Trumbo’s an animal. https://t.co/mNRgbECNHn pic.twitter.com/qo4LX3UJAg
Three things to know
— The Marlins broke a franchise record by hitting into six double plays in the first eight innings of their 3-1 loss against the Padres.
— Rockies slugger Nolan Arenado recorded his MLB-leading 15th game this season with three or more RBIs. He had 13 such games last season and five total from 2013 to 2014. Arenado also finished the 5-3 win against the Nationals a double shy of the cycle.
— The Rangers improved to 29-8 in one-run games this season after beating the Indians 2-1. Their .784 winning percentage in such games is on pace to be the highest in the modern era. The current record is held by the 2012 Orioles (.763).
What's next
Blue Jays (74-56) at Orioles (71-59), 7:05 p.m. ET — Two of the top teams in the American League face off in a series littered with playoff implications. Toronto will send Marco Estrada (7-6, 3.47 ERA) to the mound against Wade Miley (8-10, 5.51) and the Orioles.
Marlins (67-63) at Mets (66-64), 7:10 p.m. ET — Both teams are in the hunt for a wild-card spot in the National League, and this series could separate the contender from the pretender. Miami will get Jose Fernandez (13-7, 2.91 ERA) facing off against Rafael Montero, who is making a spot start for Jacob deGrom.