Unique look to Jays’ lineup
The Toronto Blue Jays set a major league record by fielding a starting lineup with six players from the Dominican Republic.
The Blue Jays did it Sunday at home against the Boston Red Sox.
The first four hitters in Toronto’s lineup were all from the Dominican Republic: shortstop Jose Reyes, outfielders Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista and first baseman Edwin Encarnacion.
Juan Francisco batted sixth and served as the designated hitter Sunday against Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester; outfielder Moises Sierra batted seventh.
Right-hander Esmil Rogers is the seventh Dominican player on Toronto’s 25-man roster.
Last season, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers had starting lineups with five players from the Dominican Republic, which won the World Baseball Classic in March 2013.
Reds’ Price, Bailey ejected after replay
Cincinnati manager Bryan Price and pitcher Homer Bailey were ejected in the first inning of Sunday’s game against Atlanta after a replay ruling went against them.
Price asked for a replay after first-base umpire Greg Gibson called Atlanta’s B.J. Upton safe on a pickoff throw from pitcher Johnny Cueto. The replays shown on the video board indicated first baseman Joey Votto may have applied the tag before Upton reached the bag.
Price came back out of the dugout after the umpires ruled the play stands, meaning there was not “clear and convincing” evidence to overturn it. Price was ejected by crew chief Bill Miller, the second-base umpire. Miller also tossed Bailey, who argued from the Reds’ dugout.
The ejections were the first for the Reds since Brandon Phillips on Sept. 1, 2012, at Houston. The last Reds manager to be ejected was Dusty Baker on Aug. 28, 2011.
Nationals place Harper on DL
Outfielder Bryce Harper was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Nationals with a sprained left thumb. The move is retroactive to Saturday. Harper hurt his hand with a head-first slide into third base Friday night.
Harper will see prominent hand specialist Thomas Graham today for a second opinion. For now, his treatment is ice.
Clearing the bases
The Orioles put first baseman Chris Davis on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. The move is retroactive to Saturday. … The Tigers put pitcher Anibal Sanchez on the 15-day disabled list because of a blister problem.