Sep 2, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY SportsDale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
Josh Donaldson and Johan Camargo hit two-run homers, and Mike Soroka snapped a streak of eight starts without a win as the Atlanta Braves beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 on Monday.
The NL East-leading Braves have won five straight, all against American League teams. The Braves also have won nine straight home games.
Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox made his first return to SunTrust Park since suffering a stroke on April 3. He sat in a private box to watch both teams he once managed.
Cox, 78, smiled and waved in response to an ovation from fans when he was shown on the video board under a message that read “Welcome Home.”
Soroka (11-3), who is from Calgary, allowed three runs on five hits in five innings in his first win in three starts against Toronto. It was his first victory since July 14 at San Diego, though, he had a solid 2.81 ERA in his eight-game winless stretch.
Mark Melancon threw a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save.
The first-inning homer by Donaldson was the only hit allowed by Jacob Waguespack (4-3) in four innings. The right-hander was hurt by five walks.
Waguespack loaded the bases with three walks in the third before third baseman Brandon Drury mishandled Dansby Swanson’s grounder. The grounder hit off Drury’s glove into the outfield grass as Ozzie Albies and Donaldson scored.
After Toronto cut Atlanta’s lead to 4-3, Camargo hit a pinch-hit homer off Buddy Boshers in the eighth. The homer drove in Donaldson, who reached on Bo Bichette’s fielding error.
Randal Grichuk led off the fourth with a homer off Soroka and pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez added another homer for the Blue Jays in the fifth. It marked the first time in 30 career starts that Soroka allowed more than one home run in a game.