Mets blank Reds behind Stroman's 1-hitter, Smith's slam

Marcus Stroman pitched one-hit ball for eight innings, Dominic Smith launched a grand slam and the New York Mets cruised to a 7-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Stroman (7-8) gave up a leadoff single to Aristides Aquino in the third inning and little else. He struck out seven and walked one while giving New York’s beleaguered bullpen precious rest going into Thursday’s day off. Jeurys Familia struck out three in a hitless ninth. Luis Guillorme hit his first homer of the season and Jonathan Villar also connected for the NL East leaders. Mets manager Luis Rojas returned to the dugout after serving a two-game suspension for excessive arguing on Sunday. Jeff Hoffman (3-5) came off the 10-day injured list to make his first start since May 26 and lasted four innings, allowing seven hits – including Smith’s slam – and five runs with three walks. RED SOX 7, BLUE JAYS 4 BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – J.D. Martinez and Hunter Renfroe connected back-to-back as Boston won a home run derby in Toronto’s final game at its temporary Buffalo home. The Blue Jays will return to Toronto on July 30 after the Canadian government granted them an exemption to the U.S.-Canada travel ban. The Blue Jays haven’t played at Rogers Centre since 2019 because of coronavirus protocols. Kiké Hernández, Rafael Devers and Michael Chavis also connected for Boston, which went deep six times in Monday’s 13-4 win over Toronto. It was the first time the Red Sox hit at least five homers in consecutive games against one opponent since doing it to the Yankees in June 1977. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 32nd homer for Toronto. George Springer added a two-run shot in the sixth and Teoscar Hernández followed with a homer for Toronto, which finished its residency in Buffalo with a 12-11 record. Garrett Richards (6-5) allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings for the win. Matt Barnes pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save. Robbie Ray (8-5) allowed the first three Boston homers and struck out four over five innings in the loss. PADRES 3, BRAVES 2, 1ST GAME PADRES 5, BRAVES 4, 2ND GAME, 4 1/2 INNINGS, SUSP. ATLANTA (AP) – Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a two-run homer, starter Chris Paddack reversed his recent struggles and San Diego bat Atlanta in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader. The second game was suspended by rain in the middle of the fifth inning with the Padres leading 5-4. It was called after a 3-hour, 3-minute delay and will resume at a date yet to be determined. In the early game, Tatis made it 3-0 in the fifth inning against reliever Shane Greene when his NL-leading 29th homer landed in the left-field seats. The All-Star shortstop has eight hits, seven runs scored and six RBIs in his last five games. Paddack (6-6), who had a 10.31 ERA in his last five appearances, worked five scoreless innings, allowing three hits with no walks and one strikeout. All-Star closer Mark Melancon wrapped it up for the Padres in the seventh, earning his major league-leading 28th save in 32 chances. Kyle Muller (1-3) allowed two hits and walked three in four innings for the Braves, working out of jams in the first and third. RAYS 5, ORIOLES 4 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Austin Meadows hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and Tampa Bay rallied past Baltimore. Randy Arozarena hit two home runs and also had a key single as the Rays won for the 10th time in 13 games. He stopped a 21-game home run drought in Tuesday night’s 9-3 win over Baltimore.