By Ron Kaplan, contributor

Mazel of the Day: Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer in the third inning to help the Milwaukee Brewers (5-5) to a 5-1 win over the host Cincinnati Reds. It’s the third home run of the season for Braun and the 288th of his career. Scott Feldman did not appear in the game for the Reds. He gets the starting assignment tonight, coming off his strong performance in an 8-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on April 9.

Kevin Pillar singled and struck out twice in four at-bats as the Toronto Blue Jays dropped a tight one to the host Baltimore Orioles, 2-1. The Jays now have a Major League worst record of 1-8.

Joc Pederson had a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning for the LA Dodgers (5-5) and popped out in a subsequent at-bat in the ninth in a 4-0 loss to the host Chicago Cubs.

And on the fifth day, he rested: Ian Kinsler was given the day game off for the Detroit Tigers, who could have used his steady hand in their 11-5 loss to the visiting Minnesota Twins. Craig Breslow did not appear for Minnesota. Both teams are 6-3.

Danny Valencia and the Seattle Mariners (2-8) had the day off. They welcome the Texas Rangers beginning tonight while Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros (6-4), also idle on Thursday, begin their weekend set against the A’s in Oakland.

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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