By Ron Kaplan, contributor

Kevin Pillar was 1-for-5 with a run scored as the Toronto Blue Jays  (17-22) fell to the visiting Atlanta Braves, 10-6. The latest article to comment on the defensive wizard’s recent prowess at the plate refers to him as a “somewhat surprising Pillar of strength.”

Alex Bregman hit his eighth double in three at-bats as the Houston Astros (27-12) beat the host Miami Marlins, 7-2. Bregman came out of the game in a double-switch in the sixth inning.

Danny Valencia drove in the first run of the game for the Seattle Mariners on a bases-loaded walk. He was hitless in two official at-bats (plus another walk) as the Mariners (18-21) held on for a 6-5 win over the visiting Oakland As.

Joc Pederson hit his sixth double and drew a walk as the LA Dodgers (22-17) were doubled up by  the host San Francisco Giants, 8-4.

Ryan Braun remains on the disabled list for the Milwaukee Brewers (21-18), who lost to the host San Diego Padres, 6-5, in 10 innings.

All other MOTs and their teams had the day off.

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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