Edwin Encarnacion single-handedly thrashed the Detroit Tigers, helping the Toronto Blue Jays to a 15-1 rout in MLB on Saturday.

A club record-equalling nine RBIs was capped by Encarnacion's third grand slam of the season, also tying the record for most four-run homers by a Blue Jay in a single season (three).

Encarnacion homered thrice at the Rogers Centre, with his three-run homer followed by a two-run blast before his seventh-inning grand slam trumped the lot.

The Blue Jays remain 1.5 games clear top of the American League's East division, despite the New York Yankees earning a 3-1 win at the Atlanta Braves.

Joining the St Louis Cardinals (83) in the 80-win club were the Kansas City Royals, who dispatched with the Tampa Bay Rays 6-3.

The Cardinals shut out the San Francisco Giants 6-0 on the World Series champions' own turf.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly allowed just one run in 7.1 innings, leading them to a 3-1 win over the New York Mets.

Joey Votto struck a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth to help the Cincinnati Reds edge the Milwaukee Brewers 12-9, while a five-run eighth saw the Cleveland Indians blow away the Los Angeles Angels 8-3.

The Washington Nationals' Jordan Zimmerman served up seven innings of one-run ball to lead them to a 5-1 win over the Miami Marlins, while Mike Fiers - in his first start since a no-hitter - allowed just three hits and one run in the Houston Astros' 4-1 triumph over the Minnesota Twins.

There were one-run wins for: the Seattle Mariners (7-6 over the Chicago White Sox), the Texas Rangers (4-3 over the Baltimore Orioles), the Oakland Athletics (3-2 over the Arizona Diamondbacks), the Philadelphia Phillies (4-3 over the San Diego Padres) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (4-3 over the Colorado Rockies).

The Los Angeles Dodgers downed the Chicago Cubs 5-2.

IMPACT PLAYERS
Stephen Vogt, Oakland Athletics: Vogt has cooled off since his torrid start to the season, but he went three-for-three with a home run and three RBIs in a win against the Diamondbacks.

Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals: "Moose" went three-for-five with three RBIs against the Rays.

Luis Severino, New York Yankees: Serevino tossed six scoreless innings against the Braves, becoming just the second Yankee to accomplish that feat at the age of 21 or younger.

KEY INJURIES
Astros shortstop Carlos Correa missed the game against the Twins with a hamstring injury.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn left the game against the Giants early after suffering a mild right ankle sprain. But he still managed to toss seven scoreless innings before leaving. 

REACTIONS
"It's a bigger game than I've ever been [in]," said Encarnacion, who extended his hit streak to 24 games in emphatic fashion.

FACT OF THE DAY
Joe Kelly became the first Red Sox pitcher to earn six wins in one calendar month since Pedro Martinez did so in May 1999 - via Elias Sports.

SURPRISE PERFORMERS
Good: It has been a tumultuous season for Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly to say the least. He mentioned in spring training that he has the stuff to win the Cy Young award this season, but he pitched so poorly that he was sent down to the minors in June. He has since redeemed himself in a big way.

Bad: White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija has become a repeat offender in this slot. This time, he allowed five earned runs in 5.2 innings in a losing effort - his win-loss record slipping to 8-11.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Tigers will look to bounce back against the rampant Blue Jays, the Giants have Chris Heston on the mound at home to the Cardinals - while the Dodgers host the Cubs.