Smoak (2 HRs), Blue Jays get sun help to shade Red Sox 8-6
Smoak (2 HRs), Blue Jays get sun help to shade Red Sox 8-6He planted his feet. He raised his arm to catch it.
© Provided by thecanadianpress.com TORONTO - With his second walk-off grand slam in less than a week, Steve Pearce lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to a miraculous 11-10 comeback win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
The Angels held a 10-4 lead entering the final frame and many of the 46,852 in the sold-out Rogers Centre crowd had already left the stadium. But Pearce launched a fastball from Angels closer Bud Norris into left field to complete the biggest ninth-inning comeback in Blue Jays' history.
Afterwards, he was at a loss to explain his recent flair for the dramatic.
Angels score three runs in ninth inning, beat Jays 6-5
Cliff Pennington drove in the tiebreaking run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Saturday. Trailing 5-3 against Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna (3-1), the Angels took the lead with a three-run ninth. Kole Calhoun hit a one-out single, Martin Maldonado was hit by a pitch, Ben Revere hit an RBI double, and pinch-runner Kaleb Cowart scored on a wild pitch, sending Revere to third. Revere scored the go-ahead run on Pennington's sacrifice fly to shallow center.Los Angeles won for the 13th time in its past 17 games at Rogers Centre.
"Feels great. Really hasn't sunk in yet," said Pearce, who was asked if the grand slam from Thursday's win over Oakland gave him any extra confidence.
"You never see those coming with that big a deficit," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. "Pearce with a granny to win it — that's really rare in this game."
Also see: 2017 MLB season
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Making history
Adrian Beltre of the Rangers hits his 3,000 Major League Baseball career hit in the fourth inning against the Orioles on July 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Orioles won 10-6.
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Just missed
Randal Grichuk of the Cardinals misplays a line drive against the Diamondbacks in the seventh inning on July 30, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals won 3-2.
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Let's go
The Cubs's Kris Bryant doubles in the sixth inning against the Brewers on Sunday, July 30, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wis. The Cubs won 4-2.
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Playing down the wrong line
Yoenis Cespedes of the Mets is unable to track a ball hit by the Mariners' Ben Gamel during the first inning interleague game on July 30, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. Gamel got a triple on the play. Mariners won 9-1.
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Pirate steals again
Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates hits a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Padres on July 30, 2017 in San Diego, California. The Pirates won 7-1.
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Into the red zone
The Marlins' A.J. Ellis is tagged out at third base by the Reds' Eugenio Suarez in the sixth inning on Sunday, July 30, 2017 in Miami, Fla. The Reds won 6-4.
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Launching...
Mike Dunn of the Rockies pitches in the seventh inning during game one of a doubleheader baseball game against the Nationals on July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 3-1.
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Too hot to handle
Jose Reyes of the Mets reacts after getting hit in the arm after James Paxton of the Mariners pitched during the fifth inning of an interleague game July 30, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 9-1.
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Catch me if you can
Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies steals second base on throw to Daniel Murphy of the Nationals in the eight inning during game one of a doubleheader baseball gameon July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 3-1.
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Errant throw
Tim Anderson of the White Sox saves first base as Carlos Santana of the Indians can't handle an errant throw during the third inning on July 30, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox won 3-1.
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Out!
Max Keplerof the Twins is tagged out diving into third base by Matt Chapman of the Athletics during the ninth inning on July 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Athletics won 6-5.
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Head on
The Angels' Ben Revere slides into home plate scoring a run ahead of the tag from Miguel Montero of the Blue Jays on July 29 in Toronto, Canada. The Angels won 6-5.
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Knocked out
The Mets' Travis d'Arnaud rushes to aid Mitch Haniger of the Mariners after Haniger was hit by a pitch thrown by Jacob deGrom on July 29 in Seattle. Haniger was taken out of the game. The Mariners won 3-2.
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On with the business
Aroldis Chapman of the Yankees pitches against the Rays on July 29 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees won 5-4.
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Forced out
Aaron Altherr of the Phillies is forced out at second base as Brandon Phillips of the Braves turns a double play on July 29 in Philadelphia, PA. The Phillies won 4-3.
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Not reachable
Elvis Andrus of the Rangers can't get to single against the Orioles on July 29 in Arlington, TX. The Orioles won 4-0.
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Aerial attack
The Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez steals second base sliding under the Nationals' Daniel Murphy on July 29 in Washington. The Rockies won 4-2.
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Pirates fall
Francisco Cervelli of the Pirates falls after being brushed back by a pitch against the Padres on July 29 in San Diego, CA. The Padres won 4-2.
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Called out
Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox and Terrance Gore of the Royals watch as umpire Adam Hamari calls Gore out after a stolen base attempt on July 29 in Boston, MA. The Red Sox won 9-8.
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Face pack
Rajai Davis of the Athletics is hit with a pie by teammate Adam Rosales after Davis hit a two-run walk-off home run against the Minnesota Twins at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on July 29 in Oakland, CA. The Athletics won 5-4.
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Jay scores
The Cubs' Jon Jay scores in front of Manny Pina of the Brewers on July 29 in Milwaukee, WI. The Cubs won 2-1.
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Dodgers slip under Giants
The Dodgers' Austin Barnes slides in safely for a steal underneath Joe Panik of the Giants during a game on July 28 in Los Angeles, CA. The Dodgers won 6-4.
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Looking up
The Twins' Brian Dozier looks to home plate umpire Mark Ripperger for the call as he scores past Ryan Lavarnway of the Athletics on July 28 in Oakland, CA. The Twins won 6-3.
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Cloned
The Indians' Danny Salazar delivers in this in camera double exposure against the White Sox on July 28 in Chicago, IL. The Indians won 9-3.
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Shattered
The Rangers' Adrian Beltre breaks his bat hitting a run-scoring single off a pitch against the Orioles' on July 28 in Arlington, TX. The hit was Beltre's 2,997th career hit. The Rangers won 8-2.
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Taken
The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera catches a ball against the Astros' on July 28 in Detroit, MI. The Astros won 6-5.
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Phillies top Braves
The Phillies' Freddy Glavis steals third base after the throw from home went over the head of Freddie Freeman of the Braves on July 28 in Philadelphia, PA. The Philles won 10-3.
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Pitch perfect
The Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka delivers against the Rays during on July 28 in New York. The Yankees won 6-1.
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Man down
The Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray falls to the ground after being hit on the head by a ball back to the mound by Luke Voit of the Cardinals on July 28 in St. Louis. Ray left the game. The Cardinals won 1-0.
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Padres take down Pirates
The Pirates' Josh Harrison throws over Carlos Asuaje of the Padres as he turns a double play on July 28 in San Diego, CA. The Padres won 3-2.
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Upended
The Cubs' Albert Almora Jr. can't catch a ball hit by Domingo Santana of the Brewers on July 28 in Milwaukee, WI. The Brewers won 2-1.
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Game winning grand slam
Steve Pearce of the Blue Jays flips his bat after hitting a game-winning grand slam home run against the Athletics on July 27 in Toronto, Canada. The Blue Jays won 3-2.
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Quite a hit
Brett Gardner of the Yankees hits a solo home run against the Rays on July 27 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees won 6-5.
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Mood swing
The Padres' Manuel Margot reacts after a swing while batting against the Mets on July 27 in San Diego. The Padres won 6-3.
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Keeping a cool head
The Nationals' Bryce Harper douses himself with water in the dugout before a baseball game against the Brewers on July 27 in Washington. The Nationals won 15-2.
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Hats off
The Cubs' Jon Jay reacts after being hit on the helmet by a pitch from David Holmberg of the White Sox on July 27 in Chicago. The Cubs won 6-3.
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Pure joy
The Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte smiles as he celebrates his two-run inside-the-park home run with Daniel Descalso against the Braves on July 26 in Phoenix, AZ. The Diamondbacks won 10-3.
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Hunter hunting
Hunter Renfroe of the Padres makes a diving catch against the Mets on July 26 in San Diego, CA. The Padres won 6-3.
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Making his move
The Rangers' Adrian Beltre drags the on deck circle toward himself after being told by the home plate umpire to get back to the circle during a Nomar Mazara at-bat against the Marlins on July 26 in Arlington, TX. Crew chief Gerry Davis ejected Beltre after that action in the 22-10 Mariners' win.
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Game Turner
The Dodgers' Justin Turner celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single against the Twins on July 26 in Los Angeles, CA. The Dodgers won 6-5.
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Exchanging pleasantries?
The Nationals' Bryce Harper argues after he was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Chris Segal after he struck out against the Brewers on July 26 in Washington. The Nationals won 8-5.
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Tempers flare
The Royals' Danny Duffy is held back by assistant hitting coach Brian Buchanan, left, and bench coach Don Wakamatsu as the benches cleared after Mike Moustakas was hit by a Tigers pitch on July 26 in Detroit, MI. The Royals won 16-2.
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Missed opportunity
The Mariners' Carlos Ruiz misses a pop foul against the Red Sox on July 26 in Seattle. The Red Sox won 4-0.
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Solid swing
Todd Frazier of the Yankees hits a solo home run against the Reds on July 26 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees won 9-5.
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Breaking bat
Tim Beckham of the Rays breaks his bat during the game against Orioles on July 25 in St. Petersburg, FL. The Rays won 5-4.
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Pumped up
Carl Edwards Jr. of the Cubs reacts after striking out Jose Abreu of the White Sox on July 25 in Chicago, IL. The Cubs won 7-2.
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Taking a tumble
Daniel Murphy of the Nationals cannot make a play to second base against the Brewers on July 25 in Washington, DC. The Brewers won 8-0.
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Whacked!
The Dodgers' Chris Taylor hits a RBI double against the Twins on July 25 in Los Angeles, CA. The Dodgers won 6-2.
Blue Jays have payroll to contend in ’18, if they so choose: Griffin
The Blue Jays have clearly thrown in the towel for this season. Already thin in starting pitching, with Aaron Sanchez battling blister problems, Jays general manager Ross Atkins traded left-hander Francisco Liriano to the Astros for a solid outfield prospect and veteran outfielder Nori Aoki. Then he sent key setup man Joe Smith to Cleveland for prospects. We should get a sense of their direction with their payroll and roster decisions.
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Stuck in the middle
Didi Gregorius of the Yankees is caught in a rundown between Jose Peraza and Patrick Kivlehan of the Reds on July 25 in New York. The Yankees won 4-2.
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Three Run Homer
Christian Yelich of the Marlins hits a three-run homerun against the Rangers on July 25 in Arlington, TX. The Rangers won 10-4.
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Where's it?
The Indians' Bradley Zimmer looks on as the ball finds the trees beyond the center field fence for a 2-run home run in the game against the Angels of Anaheim on July 25 in Cleveland, OH. The Indians won 11-7.
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Evasive action
The Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson backs away from an inside pitch during the game against the Athletics in Toronto, Canada. The Blue Jays won 4-1.
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Victory Run
The Cardinals' Jedd Gyorko is swarmed by teammates after he drove in the game-winning run against the Rockies on July 25 in St. Louis, MO. The Cardinals won, 3-2.
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Falling short
Manuel Margot of the Padres dives but can't make the catch against the Mets on July 25 in San Diego, CA. The Mets won 6-5.
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Win some, lose some
The Mariners celebrate after Jean Segura of the Mariners hit an RBI-single on July 25 in Seattle, WA.
Come what may, Jose Bautista’s mark on Blue Jays everlasting
These next seven weeks are likely the last ones Jose Bautista will spend in a Toronto Blue Jays jersey, and whatever may happen nothing will ever take away from the everlasting impact he’s made on the franchise.Everything you will feel these next three days as the ghost of championships future play a three-game series at the Rogers Centre against the Blue Jays owes in some way to Bautista.
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Leap of faith
Nolan Arenado of the Rockies attempts to field a ground ball against the Cardinals on July 24, 2017 in St. Louis, MO. The Cardinals won 8-2.
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Man down
Manager Kevin Cash of the Rays and a medical staff assist Wilson Ramos after he was cut in the head by a broken bat during the game against the Orioles on July 24 in St. Petersburg, FL. The Orioles won 5-0.
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Too Slow
Freddy Galvis of the Phillies tags out Jose Altuve of the Astros on July 24 in Philadelphia, PA. The Astros won 13-4.
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Bunt only
Zack Greinke of the Diamondbacks drops a bunt against the Braves on July 24 in Phoenix, AZ. The Diamondbacks won 10-2.
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Am I really flying?
Steve Pearce of the Blue Jays is thrown out at home plate during game against the Athletics on July 24 in Toronto, Canada. The Blue Jays won 4-2.
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Safe
Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs slides safely into third base as Adam Engel of the White Sox makes a late tag on July 24 in Chicago, IL. The White Sox won 3-1.
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Thanking the skies
Carlos Santana of the Indians celebrates as he rounds the bases on a solo home run against the Reds on July 24 in Cleveland, OH. The Indians won 6-2.
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Get outta my way
Robbie Grossman of the Twins is tagged out by Yasmani Grandal of the Dodgers on July 24 in Los Angeles, CA. The Dodgers won 6-4.
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This one's mine
Michael Conforto of the Mets makes a leaping catch against the Padres on July 24 in San Diego, CA. The Mets won 5-3.
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Did I make it?
Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Red Sox safely steals second base against the Mariners on July 24 in Seattle, WA. The Mariners won 4-0.
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Toppling over
First base umpire, Rob Drake falls on top of Adrian Beltre of the Rangers after the tag out by Tyler Moore of the Marlins on July 24 in Arlington, TX. The Marlins won 4-0.
Braves shortstop Johan Camargo injures himself taking the field
Camargo stayed down on the field and had to come out of the game before it ever started.But he was taken out of the game before it even started after one of the oddest injuries this season.
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Ouch!
Lorenzo Cain of the Royals reacts after being hit by the ball during a game against the White Sox on July 23 in Kansas City, MO. The Royals won 5-4.
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Doolittle does more
Sean Doolittle of the Nationals delivers a pitch against the Diamondbacks on July 23 in Phoenix, AZ. The Nationals won 6-2.
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High fives for Athletics
Jaycob Brugman (38) and Rajai Davis (11) of the Athletics celebrate the 3-2 win over the Mets on July 23 in Queens borough of New York City.
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Rangers outshine Rays
The Rays' Steven Souza Jr. slides in safely with a steal as Adrian Beltre of the Rangers dives for a wide throw while umpire Chad Whitson looks on, in St. Petersburg, Fla on July 23. The Rangers won 6-5.
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Home safe
The Brewers' Jonathan Villar dives safely back to first base past the tag of Tommy Joseph of the Phillies on July 23 in Philadelphia, PA. The Phillies won 6-3.
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Cubs get past Cardinals
The Cubs' Willson Contreras hits a two-run home run off the Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha on July 23 in Chicago, IL. The Cubs won 5-3.
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Out at home
The Yankees' Jacoby Ellsbury is out at home on a tag by Carlos Ruiz of the Mariners on July 23 in Seattle. The Yankees won 6-4.
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Urshela scores
Giovanny Urshela of the Indians scores on a single as the Blue Jays' Miguel Montero takes the throw on July 23 in Cleveland, OH. The Indians won 8-1.
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Game winner
The Indians Francisco Lindor blasts a game-winning home run during the game against the Blue Jays on July 22 in Cleveland, OH. The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 2-1.
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Up Top
Andrelton Simmons and Albert Pujols of the Angels of Anaheim celebrate after both score on Simmons' two run home run against the Red Sox on July 22 in Anaheim, CA. The Angels won 7-3.
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Safely home
Gorkys Hernandez of the Giants slides safely into third base against the Padres on July 22 in San Francisco, CA. The Giants won 5-4.
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Safely Pouched
The Cardinals Randal Grichuk catches the ball for an out during the game against the Cubs on July 22 in Chicago, IL. The Cubs 3-2.
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Whacked!
Danny Valencia of the Mariners hits a single against the Yankees on July 22 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 6-5.
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Double Play
Cesar Hernandez of the Phillies forces out Domingo Santana of the Brewers on July 22 in Philadelphia, PA The Brewers won 9-8.
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Struck down but not broken
Colin Moran of the Astros reacts after ball goes off his eye during a game against the Orioles on July 22 in Baltimore, MD. The Astros won 8-4.
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Too Slow
The White Sox' Yoan Moncada forces out the Royals' Eric Hosmer on July 22 in Kansas City, MO. The Royals won 7-2.
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Diving in
The Mets' Jose Reyes triples during the game between the Athletics and the Mets on July 22 in New York. The Mets won 6-5.
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Reaching Out
Adam Rosales of the Athletics tries to make it to first base before Lucas Duda of the Mets on July 21 in New York. The Yankees won 5-1.
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Admiring a Three Run Homer
Jonathan Schoop of the Orioles hits a three-run home run against the Astros on July 21 in Baltimore, MD. The Astros won 8-7.
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Watching Helplessly
Starling Marte of the Pirates steals second base against D.J. LeMahieu of the Rockies on July 21 in Denver, CO. The Pirates won 13-5.
Pearce became just the third player in MLB history with two walk-off grand slams in one season.
Toronto's rally comes a day after the Angels stunned the Jays (49-56) with a dramatic ninth-inning comeback of their own. Matt Dermody got the win after pitching three innings of relief without giving up an earned run.
Albert Pujols homered twice for the Angels (51-55), who seemed to be in cruise control until Toronto's wild ninth inning.
The rally started when Kevin Pillar hit a two-run homer and infielder Rob Refsnyder doubled to chase Angels reliever Brooks Pounders. With Norris taking over on the mound, Ezequiel Carrera and Russell Martin singled to cut the lead to 10-7 and, after Justin Smoak grounded out, Kendrys Morales walked to set the table for Pearce's heroics.
"He missed pretty bad on the first two pitches so I was really able to lock in on the next pitch," Pearce said.
Cesar Valdez started for the Blue Jays, and after the journeyman right-hander picked up his first win in over seven years with a solid start against Oakland Tuesday, it was immediately clear he wasn't going to be as sharp Sunday.
With Mike Trout on base in the first inning, Pujols sent the eighth pitch of the game into the left-field seats to give the Angels a 2-0 lead.
Though Carrera responded with a lead-off homer in the bottom half of the inning, the Blue Jays and Valdez unravelled in a messy third. Infielder Kaleb Cowart led off with a triple, former Blue Jay Yunel Escobar followed with a double, Trout walked and Pujols singled to give the Angels a 4-1 lead.
Before the inning was over, Andrelton Simmons doubled in two runs to chase Valdez before Ben Revere added an RBI single to put the Angels up 7-1.
Toronto again answered quickly. In the bottom of the third, singles from Carrera, Martin and Smoak and a sacrifice fly from Morales cut the lead to 7-3. Pearce then clubbed a double to centre — missing a home run by a few feet — before a Miguel Montero groundout made it 7-4.
Still, the Angels kept coming, adding runs in the fifth — when Revere reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, took third on a Montero throwing error, and finally sprinted home on a shallow sacrifice fly — and the sixth, when Pujols hit his 16th homer. Luis Valbuena would add a sacrifice fly in the ninth to give Los Angeles what should have been an insurmountable 10-4 lead.
With the summer they've had, the Blue Jays were thankful the wild game leaned their way.
"It's a crazy day," Gibbons said. "You don't see that coming."
NOTES: Toronto opens a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago on Monday. … The Blue Jays announced that veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has ligament damage in his right ankle and will need further evaluation.
Braves shortstop Johan Camargo injures himself taking the field .
Camargo stayed down on the field and had to come out of the game before it ever started.But he was taken out of the game before it even started after one of the oddest injuries this season.
Smoak (2 HRs), Blue Jays get sun help to shade Red Sox 8-6He planted his feet. He raised his arm to catch it. 
Cliff Pennington drove in the tiebreaking run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Saturday. Trailing 5-3 against Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna (3-1), the Angels took the lead with a three-run ninth. Kole Calhoun hit a one-out single, Martin Maldonado was hit by a pitch, Ben Revere hit an RBI double, and pinch-runner Kaleb Cowart scored on a wild pitch, sending Revere to third. Revere scored the go-ahead run on Pennington's sacrifice fly to shallow center.Los Angeles won for the 13th time in its past 17 games at Rogers Centre. 
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Fan confronted by Chris Christie shares his side of storyThe New Jersey governor made sure this fan felt his presence. 
Losing Liriano hits Jays teammates hard: DiMannoCHICAGO—Marco Estrada has his ear plugs screwed in, still wandering around the clubhouse in that plush blue robe that David Price, Blue Jays passim, got all his teammates. 
The Blue Jays have clearly thrown in the towel for this season. Already thin in starting pitching, with Aaron Sanchez battling blister problems, Jays general manager Ross Atkins traded left-hander Francisco Liriano to the Astros for a solid outfield prospect and veteran outfielder Nori Aoki. Then he sent key setup man Joe Smith to Cleveland for prospects. We should get a sense of their direction with their payroll and roster decisions. 
These next seven weeks are likely the last ones Jose Bautista will spend in a Toronto Blue Jays jersey, and whatever may happen nothing will ever take away from the everlasting impact he’s made on the franchise.Everything you will feel these next three days as the ghost of championships future play a three-game series at the Rogers Centre against the Blue Jays owes in some way to Bautista. 
Camargo stayed down on the field and had to come out of the game before it ever started.But he was taken out of the game before it even started after one of the oddest injuries this season. 
