Corbin Burnes pitches first-place Orioles past depleted Blue Jays 6-2

BALTIMORE (AP) — Corbin Burnes took a two-hitter into the seventh inning, Ramón Urías and Anthony Santander homered and the Baltimore Orioles beat the depleted Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Baltimore built a 4-0 lead in the third inning and improved to 6-6 since the All-Star break to remain atop the AL East.

Burnes gave up two runs and four hits with seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. Although the Orioles added starters Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers before the trade deadline, Burnes (11-4, 2.47 ERA) remains the unquestioned ace of the staff.

“So consistent. He's so hard to hit because the ball moves so much, upper 90s with a great curveball and changeup,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “That's pretty much what he's done almost every single time out for us. He's a horse and he's the No. 1.”

The four-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young Award winner has gone at least six innings in 17 straight starts, allowed three runs or fewer in 21 of 22 outings and is on course for his fourth straight season with at least 200 strikeouts.

While the Orioles over the past week sought to upgrade their roster for a playoff run, the last-place Blue Jays made deals with the future in mind. After unloading infielder Justin Turner and reliever Yusei Kikuchi on Monday, Toronto dealt reliever Trevor Richards, infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier hours before the trade deadline Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (8-10) gave up five runs and nine hits in four innings, including a solo homer to Urías and a two-run single to Ryan O'Hearn in a three-run third.

Urías singled in a run in the fourth and Santander hit his 31st home run in the fifth off Brendon Little for a 6-1 lead.

Santander's drive bounced off the top of the seating area for groundskeepers, eluding an awkward attempt by right fielder Addison Barger to snag the hit.

“It’s a funky wall out there. We’ve seen that a little bit with other guys too," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "Maybe lost track of where he was a little bit, and Santander likes hitting homers against us.”

Santander has 19 career home runs against Toronto, the most against any team.

Toronto finished with five hits, four of them singles.

MOVES THAT AREN'T TRADES

Blue Jays: Selected the contract of INF Luis De Los Santos from Triple-A Buffalo, recalled RHP Yariel Rodríguez from Buffalo and optioned RHP Jake Bloss to Buffalo. OF Joey Loperfido, obtained in the deal that sent Kikuchi to Houston, reported and was in uniform.

Orioles: Recalled C Blake Hunt from Triple-A Norfolk, selected the contract of INF Terrin Vevra from Norfolk and designated RHP Cole Irvin for assignment.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Toronto C Alejandro Kirk left with a bruised elbow.

UP NEXT

Grayson Rodriguez (12-4, 3.82 ERA) makes his 20th start of the season Wednesday in the series finale. Toronto manager John Schneider did not name his starter.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez (56) celebrate their team's win over the Toronto Blue Jays after a baseball game, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Zach Pop delivers during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cionel Perez (58) delivers during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Toronto Blue Jays' Steward Berroa, right, steals second base in front of Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jordan Westburg, left, during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement reacts after being hit by a pitch delivered by Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Cedric Mullins (31) celebrates with Colton Cowser, left, after scoring on an RBI single hit in by Ramon Urias during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Ramon Urias (29) celebrates hitting a home run with Adley Rutschman (35) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Adley Rutschman (35) advances toward home base to score followed by Gunnar Henderson on an RBI hit in by Ryan O'Hearn during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walks during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Toronto Blue Jays' Leo Jimenez makes contact during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Gunnar Henderson (2) and Adley Rutschman (35) celebrate with Ryan Mountcastle (6) after scoring two runs on a single hit in by Ryan O'Hearn during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Cedric Mullins (31) prepares to slide into home plate to score on an RBI single hit in by Ramon Urias during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar will pop out on the NFL's biggest stage next year: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans.

The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Lamar would lead the halftime festivities from the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9. The rap megastar, who has won 17 Grammys, said he’s looking forward to bringing hip-hop to the NFL's championship game, where he performed as a guest artist with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in 2022.

“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date," Lamar said in a statement. "And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”

Lamar has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he's accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album “DAMN.”

The rapper's latest album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,” was released in 2022. He was featured on the song “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin on a track that spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this year. He also garnered another hit with “Not Like Us."

Roc Nation founder Jay-Z called Lamar a “once-in-a-generation” artist and performer.

“His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision,” Jay-Z said. “He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”

Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. The creative direction of Lamar's performance will be provided by pgLang.

FILE - Kendrick Lamar arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards, on Aug. 27, 2017, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)