Barajas late homer lifts Jays past Phillies

PHILADELPHIA – Rod Barajas hit the winning homer leading off the ninth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 in interleague play on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep of the World Series champions.

The injury-riddled Blue Jays were 0-6 in interleague play this season when they arrived in Philadelphia.

The Phillies dropped to 13-19 at home, but remain three games clear atop the National League East division thanks to a major league-best 23-9 record on the road.

After the Phillies rallied for two runs in the eighth, pinch hitter Barajas drove one out to straightaway center. Barajas, who played for the Phillies in 2007, had a key hit in each game of the series despite being booed whenever he came to the plate.

In Boston, Dan Uggla and Ronny Paulino homered in the second inning and that proved enough for Florida to edge Boston, 2-1, in a rain-shortened six-inning game.

Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco pitched five solid innings, limiting Boston to a homer in the first while striking out five.

In Los Angeles, Orlando Hudson homered and pinch-hitter Mark Loretta drove in the go-ahead run as Los Angeles edged Oakland, 3-2.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre earned his 2,195th regular-season victory, passing Sparky Anderson for fifth on the career list.

Oakland reliever Brad Ziegler gave up a one-out double in the seventh, then a walk. Loretta, hitless in his previous 14 at-bats as a pinch hitter, singled to left field to snap a 2-2 tie.

In St. Louis, Detroit shook off an offensive drought with a four-run first inning, beating St. Louis, 6-3.

The Tigers then got two homers in the eighth, breaking a run of scoring three runs or less in their previous seven games.

Detroit ended a four-game losing streak and won for the first time in six games at Busch Stadium, including three losses to end the 2006 World Series.

Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello continued his good form, allowing three runs in 5 2-3 innings. In Denver, pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez won his third straight start, guiding Colorado past Tampa Bay, 4-3. (AP)