By Ron Kaplan, contributor

Mazel of the Day: Kevin Pillar, one more time. Once again batting in the lead-off spot, he lashed three hits and stole his first two bases of the year — both following his single in the seventh inning — as the Toronto Blue Jays (3-11) shut out the visiting Boston Red Sox, 3-0. Since taking over the top spot in the lineup on April 11, Pillar is 11-for-22 with four doubles and a home run and is currently ninth in AL batting with a .345 average. The only mark against him: he doesn’t walk. In fact, his only base on balls came on opening day. Of  course, he made his usual snazzy outfield grab.

Ian Kinsler was on base three times in five plate appearances via a single and two walks and scored three runs, but the Detroit Tigers (8-6) lost to the host Tampa Bay Rays, 8-7, when shortstop Jose Iglesias’ throwing error to first on a double-play attempt allowed the winning run to score in the ninth.

Alex Bregman hit his third double of the season and walked in four plate appearances as the Houston Astros (10-5) defeated the visiting LA Angels, 5-1. The ‘Stros are tied with the NY Yankees for the most wins in the Majors.

Danny Valencia drove in a run on a pinch-hit walk in the eighth inning of the Seattle Mariners’ (7-9) 10-5 win over the visiting Miami Marlins.

Joc Pederson struck out as a pinch hitter and remained in the game, making an out in a subsequent at-bat as the LA Dodgers (8-8) beat the visiting Colorado Rockies, 4-2.

Ryan Braun did not play for the Milwaukee Brewers (8-8) in their 7-4 loss to the host Chicago Cubs. Just a regular day off as far as we know.

Scott Feldman did not appear for the Cincinnati Reds (9-6) in their 2-0 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles. He gets the starting assignment tonight.

Craig Breslow did not appear for the Minnesota Twins in their game against the visiting Cleveland Indians. In fact, no one did, because the game was postponed by weather.

Ron Kaplan (@RonKaplanNJ) hosts Kaplan’s Korner, a blog about Jews and sports. He is the author of three books, including The Jewish Olympics: The History of the Maccabiah Games and the forthcoming Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War.

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