By Ron Kaplan, contributor

Ryan Braun hit his 10th homer of the season to help the Milwaukee Brewers (48-40) destroy the host Chicago Cubs, 11-2. He also walked twice before coming out for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. That two-run shot was part of the seven runs the Brewers put up in the third inning.

Danny Valencia hit #9 (#9, #9…Beatles reference), a three-run blast in the ninth, but the Seattle Mariners (41-46) lost to the visiting Oakland A’s, 7-4. Ryan Lavarnway did not appear in the game for the A’s (38-48).

Alex Bregman had two doubles (19) and a single in three at-bats (plus a walk) and scored twice, but the Houston Astros (58-28) still lost to the host Toronto Blue Jays, 7-4. On the other side of the diamond, Toronto’s Kevin Pillar hit his 22nd two-bagger and singled in four at-bats for the Jays (40-45), who scored five of their runs in the fifth inning. Yesterday I mentioned that all the regular JML position player could wind up with double-digit home runs, but could Pillar end up in the 20/20 club?

Ian Kinsler continued his months-long slump. His 0-for-4 night dropped his batting average to .239. The Detroit Tigers (38-46) beat the visiting San Francisco Giants, 6-2.

Joc Pederson walked  as a pinch-hitter in the ninth and scored a run as the LA Dodgers put up a four-spot in their last at-bat to beat the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-4.

Richard Bleier pitched another scoreless inning of relief for the Baltimore Orioles (40-45), who lost to the host Minnesota Twins (44-41), 6-4. He struck out one and allowed two hits. Craig Breslow was scheduled to do a bullpen session and then report to Triple-A Rochester for a rehab game on Sunday.

Scott Feldman did not appear for the Cincinnati Reds (37-48) in their 6-3 win over the host Colorado Rockies.

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