Philadelphia Phillies find form with offensive display, Toronto Blue Jays down Tampa Bay Rays

The Philadelphia Phillies strung together back-to-back wins, putting on a season-high 18 hits as they edged the New York Yankees 11-8.

Maikel Franco homered twice, batting in five runs to help the Phillies to their highest runs output in 2015 - and sending the Yankees to consecutive losses.

The Yankees remain one game off the lead in the American League's (AL) East division, as the leading Tampa Bay Rays also lost - going down to the Toronto Blue Jays 8-5.

Solo homers from Jose Reyes, Dioner Navarro and Jose Bautista sent the Blue Jays to victory, leaving them just two games behind the Rays.

Three errors from the Chicago White Sox helped the Minnesota Twins ease to a 13-2 triumph, while the Chicago Cubs made it three straight wins - seeing off the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2.

Yoenis Cespedes homered, and batted in two more runs to lead the Detroit Tigers past the Cleveland Indians 8-5.

The Kansas City Royals were triumphant 4-1 at the Seattle Mariners, while the Los Angeles Angels trumped the Houston Astros 4-3.

IMPACT PLAYERSJason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians: Despite the Indians' loss to the Tigers, Kipnis finished two-for-five with two RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. He has five home runs, 30 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 10 stolen bases this season.

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs: Bryant had his first multi-home run game, finishing two-for-three with a walk and three RBIs as the Cubs topped the Dodgers.

Brett Gardner, New York Yankees: Gardner went four-for-four with a walk, a three-run home run and two runs scored as the Yankees fell to the Phillies. He now has eight home runs, 36 RBIs and 15 stolen bases this season.

KEY INJURIES

Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler left the game against the Dodgers in the fifth inning with a sprained left ankle. Team-mate Tsuyoshi Wada had to exit his start on the mound with cramping in his left deltoid muscle.

REACTIONS

"I just went into the game telling myself I'm due, I'm due for a big game, and I got it. It was a good game all around."

FACT OF THE DAY

SURPRISE PERFORMERS

Bad: White Sox pitcher John Danks was obliterated in his start against the Twins, surrendering nine runs, five earned, in 5.1 innings. The lefty gave up nine hits, three of which were home runs, while walking one and recording only two strikeouts.

LOOKING AHEAD