Brian McCann hit two homers, including a three-run shot in host Atlanta's seven-run seventh inning, and the Braves beat up the Blue Jays, 10-2, yesterday to cap a three-game sweep and extend Toronto's misery.
The Blue Jays have dropped six in a row overall, their longest skid since losing seven straight last June. They fell to second place in the AL East, a half-game behind the Red Sox.
"We're OK," said Toronto manager Cito Gaston. "We're still . . . just a half-game out."
Toronto, which began its nine-game trip with three straight losses at Fenway, has been swept in back-to-back road series for the first time since May 2007 at Cleveland and Texas.
"You're going to go through periods like this," said Vernon Wells, who had two hits and scored both Toronto runs. "Hopefully, we'll right the ship."
McCann had three hits and drove in four runs, leaving him 6 for 10 in the series. Pinch hitter Chipper Jones drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded single in the seventh.
The Braves had five of their 13 hits in the seventh, when they sent 10 batters to the plate. Shawn Camp (0-2) gave up the first three runs in the inning.
The seven runs were the most allowed by Toronto in an inning this season.
Marlins 5, Rays 4 - Ross Gload drove in the winning run with a one-out, bases-loaded single in the 11th, and host Florida snapped a four-game losing streak.
The Marlins, who had been outscored, 25-5, in the first two games of the series, squandered leads of 3-0 and 4-3. But Jorge Cantu led off the 11th with a pinch-hit single against Lance Cormier (0-1), Jeremy Hermida singled off Brian Shouse to put runners at the corners with one out, and Hanley Ramirez was walked intentionally. Gload then lined a single through the right side of the infield.
Angels 10, Dodgers 7 - Torii Hunter drove in three runs and the visiting Angels took the rubber game of the series by roughing up Dodgers ace Chad Billingsley and overcoming an early 4-0 deficit.
Billingsley (6-2) gave up five runs and nine hits in six innings, including three runs in his final frame. Hunter's RBI single pulled the Angels within 4-3, and he gave them a 7-4 lead with a two-run single in the seventh. Hunter, however, left in the bottom of the inning with tightness in his right leg.
Padres 7, Cubs 2 - In the lone National League game, San Diego capped the first 9-0 homestand in franchise history behind Kevin Kouzmanoff's four RBIs. Chicago has lost seven straight.
Twins 6, Brewers 3 - Justin Morneau hit a grand slam and Joe Mauer and Joe Crede also homered in support of Scott Baker (2-5), who pitched into the ninth as Minnesota capped a three-game home sweep of Milwaukee.