Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
After a cold start to the season, the AL East favorite Blue Jays are starting to hit their stride.
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Monday's 4-2 victory over the Yankees gave the Jays (27-26) their fifth AL East win in their past six games thanks to eight scoreless innings from right-hander Marco Estrada and a big game from Ryan Goins, who went 2 for 2 with a homer and two runs scored.
Estrada (3-2) allowed just three hits for his second consecutive win, both against the Yankees (24-26), who are in the midst of a 10-game road trip and sit 6 1/2 games behind the division-leading Red Sox.
Player of the day
Outfielder Adam Duvall enjoyed his first career two-homer day as the Reds blasted five long balls in a slugfest with the Rockies. For Duvall, it was Nos. 12 and 13 on the season, increasing his slash line to .271/.305/.606.
Highlight
Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco capped a five-run inning against the Marlins with an absolute blast of a grand slam, the first of his career. Outfielder Cole Gillespie barely attempted to chase down the fly ball. That's when you know it's gone.
Three things to know
— With his 453-foot, three-run homer against the Indians, Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara joins Giancarlo Stanton and Carlos Correa as the only players with multiple 450-foot home runs this season.
— The Dodgers have one combined hit in their past two games against the Cubs. Jake Arrieta no-hit LA last summer, then Jason Hammel and seven innings of the Cubs bullpen combined for a one-hitter Monday in a 2-0 win.
— Each of the six runs scored Monday by the Cardinals involved a contribution by a Matt — Holliday (3 for 4, three RBIs, two runs scored), Carpenter (4 for 5, three runs scored) and Adams (1 for 4, RBI) all played a role in the 6-0 victory over the Brewers.
What's next
Pirates (29-21) at Marlins (26-25), 7:10 p.m.: A pair of potential Cy Young Award candidates square off in Miami as Gerrit Cole (5-3, 2.53 ERA) and Jose Fernandez (7-2, 2.82) do battle in South Beach. For Fernandez, he looks to continue his career dominance at Marlins Park, where the right-hander is 21-1 with a 1.64 ERA in his young career.
Dodgers (27-25) at Cubs (35-14), 8:05 p.m.: Arrieta (9-0, 1.72) will take the mound for the Cubs as he looks to make up for an uncharacteristic outing in his last start. The reigning Cy Young Award winner lasted just five innings, giving up four earned runs against the Cardinals. The Dodgers will answer with southpaw Scott Kazmir (4-3, 4.84), who struck out 12 in his last outing against the Reds.