By Ron Kaplan, contributor

Alex Bregman hit home run #11 on Wednesday as the Houston Astros beat the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, 5-1. His solo shot came in the middle of a back-to-back-to-back run in the sixth, preceded by a George Springer HR and followed by a Jose Altuve HR.

Danny Valencia had a single and a double (#7) in three at-bats out of the cleanup spot as the Baltimore Orioles (21-51) shut out the host Washington Nationals, 3-0. His sacrifice fly in the six accounted for the Os’ final run.

Kevin Pillar was 0-for-4 as the Toronto Blue Jays (34-39) beat the visiting Atlanta Braves, 5-4.

Joc Pederson did not appear for the LA Dodgers (38-35) in their 4-0 loss to the host Chicago Cubs.

Ryan Braun’s Milwaukee Brewers were rained out of their game with the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

No game for Ian Kinsler and the LA Angels or Gabe Kapler’s Philadelphia Phillies.

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 Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War.

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