NASHVILLE, Tenn. - United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter said his team's 3-1 victory over Jamaica in the semifinals of the Gold Cup was a "step in the right direction."

The U.S. advanced to Sunday's final against bitter rivals Mexico thanks to two goals from Christian Pulisic and another from Weston McKennie. The hosts had to work through an hour and 28-minute weather delay in the first half, as well as a second half resurgence from the Reggae Boyz, but were ultimately able to see the game out.

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"As a coach you're always searching for something better, you're always searching for greatness, and the team is always striving for greatness," Berhalter said. "There were some good things today for sure.

"And I think we want to continue to grow. It's hard to say that was our best. I think it was a step in the right direction against a more physical team than what we've been experiencing. I think it was good to get a win for confidence."

The U.S. threatened to hammer Jamaica early on, going ahead on McKennie's ninth-minute opener and creating numerous other chances. But in the 16th minute, play was halted due to the threat of lightning. It halted the Americans' momentum and allowed Jamaica to right itself.

"I think if I had to be critical of one aspect of the game, I didn't think we come out of the break with the same intensity, and it's difficult to recreate that, the way we started because we started really sharp," Berhalter said. "I'd say we're critical of that."

Pulisic doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, pouncing on the rebound from Jordan Morris' shot. Substitute Gyasi Zardes then had a glorious chance to put the game to bed in the 57th minute when put clean through on goal by McKennie, but shot well wide. That sparked a Jamaican fightback, and the visitors pulled a goal back in the 69th minute on Shamar Nicholson's header. The Reggae Boyz then threatened a few more times through Leon Bailey, but couldn't find a way through. Pulisic eventually settled matters in the 87th minute, converting another rebound, this time from Paul Arriola's shot.

"In my opinion we lost a little bit of our legs," Berhalter said of the team's second half dip in form. "What I think is we were developing our transitions way too quickly, we didn't secure the ball, and we were going for, I think, the knockout punch too quickly. We had the opportunity with Gyasi to make it 3-0. It would have been nice, but we didn't get it.

"However I think that the team shows a lot of resiliency when it goes 2-1, and there's still a bunch of time to play, 15 minutes left to play. Now we have to find out what this group is about. Now we have to find out, are we going to concede the second one, or are we going to score the third one? That was a pivotal moment for me. I'm really disappointed that we conceded a goal in this tournament, but it's a learning moment, and looking back on it now, I'm glad we did because the guys had to dig deep."

Berhalter also praised the fans in attendance, the vast majority of whom stuck around, despite the weather delay.

"A lot of credit to the fans, they really helped us get through it," he said. "I've been in situations before where in weather delays you come out and the stadium is empty. Then it's difficult to bring that same energy. But the fans were amazing."

The next challenge for the U.S. will be Sunday's final against Mexico, and it will be Berhalter's first experience of the rivalry as a manager.

"We've already started preparing. We've already started watching them the last couple of days," he said. "I think it's a good team, quality players, I think good team concept, a lot of intensity that they play with, and they can hurt teams. Having said that, they're also vulnerable and we'll plan to be able to hurt them as well."

The day has the potential to be one to remember in the annals of U.S. soccer. The U.S. women's national team will contest the FIFA Women's World Cup final that same day against Netherlands, with the men scheduled to go up against Mexico later on.

"It's great," Berhalter said about having two finals on one day. "It's rare. It doesn't happen that often that you get two teams from the same country playing in a continental final and in a World Cup final.

"I think it's a special day, and it's a special day for U.S. Soccer. We'll get to see the women earlier in the day, and we'll be cheering them on. I know they'll be cheering us on."

When Frank Lampard took his first steps in management and landed the job at Derby County in May 2018, the fairytale scenario was that the former Chelsea and England midfielder would end up back at Stamford Bridge at some point, only this time in the seat previously occupied by the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. But nobody, not even Lampard himself, could have imagined he would be fast-tracked into the job of his dreams just a year after starting out as a manager.

Despite one season in the Championship with Derby that saw the 41-year-old achieve only the bare minimum of what was expected of him, a place in the end-of-season playoffs, Lampard now finds himself with the title of Chelsea head coach. For that he can thank the unique situation in which Chelsea find themselves this summer, with the club starting a two-window transfer ban that undoubtedly helped Lampard secure the post made vacant due to Maurizio Sarri's departure for Juventus.

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Any experienced manager or coach with anything like the CV that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich once demanded of his appointments wouldn't risk their reputation by taking on a team that had just lost its best player, Eden Hazard, and was unable to add any reinforcements for at least 12 months. It left Chelsea with few credible options, and Lampard, as a Stamford Bridge legend, was never going to reject the opportunity to take charge of the team.

Chelsea have taken a similar approach to Manchester United following the sacking of Mourinho last December in appointing a universally popular former player as manager, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's up-and-down spell in charge at Old Trafford has already highlighted the positives and negatives of the emotional pull when hiring a club legend to run the team. In many ways, Chelsea have taken an even bigger gamble on Lampard than United did by handing Solskjaer a three-year contract.

Solskjaer could at least point to six months in charge of Cardiff City in the Premier League, as well as two spells with Norwegian outfit Molde, as proof of his experience. Lampard has had only one year in management, outside the Premier League, and he did the bare minimum. His return to Chelsea has more to do with his time as a player than his brief résumé as a manager.

At Derby, Lampard won fewer than half of his 57 games in charge, posting 24 victories, 17 draws and 16 defeats. Those are hardly the statistics of a manager likely to force Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp to suffer sleepless nights next season. His Derby side played on the front foot, attacking opponents and scoring 69 league goals in the process, but they also conceded 54 in 46 games. If Chelsea are looking for some kind of continuity, they can probably expect a similar approach from Lampard that Sarri adopted last season in terms of an emphasis being placed on attacking. Without Hazard, however, it will be asking a lot of U.S. international Christian Pulisic to fill the void regardless of how Lampard sends his team out to play.

Despite the hurdles that Lampard must overcome, those who have worked alongside him attest to his drive for perfection and ability make those around him better. Vincent Kompany, who played alongside the former midfielder for a season at Manchester City, spoke earlier this week about how Lampard raised standards following his arrival at the Etihad, bringing with him the winning mentality that had been ground into him by the likes of Mourinho, Ancelotti and even Abramovich at Chelsea.

Having been controversially released by Chelsea at the end of his playing contract in June 2014, Lampard's determination to prove a point saw him enjoy an impressive swansong at City before moving to New York City FC in MLS, and he will return to Stamford Bridge with that same drive to prove his doubters wrong. There are, undoubtedly, many who will believe that this job has come too soon for him and that he risks souring his association with Chelsea by taking it on now after just a year in management. But Lampard will do it his way, and his decision to bring Derby assistant Jody Morris with him to Chelsea is a pointer to that.

Morris, another former Chelsea player, was a key figure in the club's successful youth set-up before leaving for Derby 12 months ago, and he will know which of the many emerging stars at Stamford Bridge will be capable of making the step up to the first team. It's hoped that in doing so, the pair can turn Chelsea's transfer ban into an opportunity rather than a hindrance.

If Lampard and Morris can tap into the Chelsea production line and transform the team into one that relies on homegrown talent rather than expensive acquisitions, this appointment can prove to be a success story. But Lampard is now embarking on the toughest challenge of his football career, whether he is ready or not.

On an odd night in Nashville, Tennessee, the United States men's national team prevailed over Jamaica 3-1 in the semifinal round of the 2019 Gold Cup via goals from Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic. While far from comfortable, the Americans finished Wednesday's game strong and advanced to face Mexico in a much-anticipated final in Chicago on Sunday.

Positives

In spurts, the Americans showed a verve and cohesiveness that speaks to more comfort with coach Gregg Berhalter's system. Jozy Altidore showed what a quality center forward can add to the team, and Reggie Cannon emerged as a viable right back option with a very good night. Pulisic again showed that this is his team.

- CONCACAF Gold Cup: All you need to know
- Full Gold Cup fixtures schedule

Negatives

Jamaica exposed defensive frailties, particularly with long balls that stressed the American back line. If the Reggae Boyz had been just a little sharper in the final third, the result might have been very different. Apparent dips in concentration and an inability to connect passes from back to front provided Jamaica chances to break.

Manager rating out of 10

6 -- Berhalter's task was made more difficult by the 90-minute weather delay, which robbed the USMNT of early momentum and allowed Jamaica to make tactical adjustments. Intervals where the energy dropped and the Americans failed to press the advantage might speak to a lack of clarity on how to play through the midfield. Berhalter made the smart, pragmatic choice to substitute Altidore and save him for Sunday's final.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 the best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Zack Steffen, 7 -- Made three strong saves. Confident with the ball and in distribution.

DF Reggie Cannon, 7 -- Excellent on both ends of the field, minus a few mistakes with passing. Played the perfect one-time ball across to set up McKennie's goal.

DF Aaron Long, 6 -- Better of the two center backs. Very good in the first half. Handled Jamaica's speed well but was bailed out by a foul on a Jamaica counter in the 55th minute.

DF Matt Miazga, 5 -- Struggled with distribution out of the back following Jamaica's tactical shift. Turned the ball over before losing his mark on Jamaica's goal in the 69th minute.

DF Tim Ream, 5 -- Worked hard to deal with speedy threats from the wing but was often a step slow and overly hesitant. Failed to close down Leon Bailey on Jamaica's goal.

MF Michael Bradley, 7 -- Provided the platform for the U.S. to spring forward. Did yeoman's work in defense and slowed Jamaica through the middle with regularity. Excellent playing the ball forward.

MF Jordan Morris 6 -- Struggled to get involved in the first half, improved in the second 45. Hit the shot that led to the second U.S. goal. Too reactive with runs off the ball.

MF Weston McKennie, 8 -- Played deeper to good effect, particularly with late runs from the midfield, as with the opening goal. Less influential defensively, but not a liability.

MF Christian Pulisic, 9 -- Another performance leading the attack for the USMNT. Scored both goals from rebounds but created the second with a darting dribble into the box.

MF Paul Arriola, 6 -- Work rate good but not as sharp as needed. Combined with Pulisic to good effect. Forced the save that resulted in Pulisic's rebound goal to put the game away.

FW Jozy Altidore, 7 -- Involved in most of the quality attacks created by the Americans. Earned assist on the first U.S. goal. Dropped in to pick up passes and provide focal point. Added physical edge on both sides of the ball.

Substitutes

FW Gyasi Zardes, 3 -- Wasted a gilt-edged chance to put the game away shortly after coming on. Failed to provide quality hold-up play. Turned the ball over leading to Jamaica's goal.

MF Cristian Roldan, NR -- Made himself available to aid holding possession down the stretch of the game. Showed a willingness to drive toward goal and open up space for teammates.

DF Daniel Lovitz, NR -- Defended in a short cameo. A step slow but recovered well.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the better part of a month, Weston McKennie has been riding the ups and downs of getting familiar with a new position, new teammates, a (mostly) new manager and a new system. There have been uneven performances, like in the Gold Cup quarterfinal against Curacao when, despite scoring the game's only goal, McKennie was loose with too many passes and looked out of sync defensively with midfield partner Michael Bradley.

But Wednesday's 3-1 semifinal triumph over Jamaica saw McKennie back on a decidedly upward trajectory. The Schalke midfielder opened the scoring in the ninth minute, making the kind of late run -- in this case to latch on to Reggie Cannon's cross -- that has become one of his signature plays.

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"When we play him as a No. 10, it's very specific when we want him getting in the penalty box," Berhalter said. "We played him a little deeper today in buildup, and that's him picking those moments, he's very good at that. He's a very dynamic runner. As the ball is wide, he sees where the space is and attacks it. We've seen him do that for Schalke and that's why we were comfortable playing him in the No. 10 position because we know he can get in the penalty box and arrive."

But there was more to McKennie's game than just the goal. He created a team-high three chances, including one in the 52nd minute to Jordan Morris that resulted in Andre Blake saving a shot, only for Christian Pulisic to put home rebound. He also did his bit on the defensive end alongside Bradley. All told, it was McKennie's most complete performance in a U.S. shirt, and speaks to the progress he's made over the last month.

"Learning this system and getting used to it, I think it's gotten better over time," he said. "I think when I first got in, I was a little fresh on the new system that we were playing. [Berhalter] and the coaching staff and the players around me and the players that have been with him before, helped me get comfortable in the system that he plays. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it."

The best piece of advice that he's gotten over the last several weeks? "Be brave and have confidence and have fun," he said.

Outwardly, it looks like McKennie's role has evolved over the last month. It started out with him playing higher up the field, but with Berhalter abandoning -- at least for the moment -- the inverted right-back/center-mid hybrid position, McKennie has been playing more box-to-box, getting into the attack while at the same time helping out Bradley. Berhalter admitted that there have been some tweaks.

"What we're working on with him is the positional play, the smaller movements, the detail of positioning in the way we play," the U.S. manager said. "But what he's teaching us is this raw ability. He made a couple of good runs in the penalty box, he's another guy who can solve things by dribbling alone with his physicality and his ball control."

McKennie insists little has changed in terms of his role, and that it's more a product of gaining familiarity, which has allowed him the freedom to take more risks and have a better sense of where and when to move. It's an evolution that has been noticed by Bradley.

"He's getting better every game, he's getting more comfortable," Bradley said. "I think his personality starts to come out more and more. I think the experience that he and I are getting now over the course of a few games has been good in terms of understanding each other, the partnership, of what it means on certain days, playing to each other's strengths."

The improvement can also be seen in his passing. According to ESPN Stats & Information, McKennie completed 100 percent of his passes in the attacking third, and set up Gyasi Zardes on a breakaway that the forward squandered. It all points to more cohesion all over the field.

"The system that we have, we're all connected and we make it very predictable for ourselves but not the opponent, where our options are and where we can play the next pass," he said. "It makes it easier on us. There were a couple of balls I played one-touch and a couple of balls [like the] one I played to Jordan Morris on the second goal, you know where the players are going to be and you know in the system that he has that you can play those type of balls."

McKennie's improvement is a critical piece to the U.S. team's success. Pulisic has shouldered an inordinate amount of creative responsibility. The Chelsea player may have scored two goals against Jamaica, but by his own admission wasn't at his best.

"I don't think I was very clean all night," he said. "My final pass wasn't great. A lot of times when I did make the right decisions in the final third and in the midfield, I lost too many balls."

If McKennie helps pick up the slack, like he did on this night, then that gives the U.S. a badly needed additional channel in attack.

Now McKennie is poised to play in the biggest game of his international career. As Wednesday's game wound down the fans chanted, "We want Mexico!" and McKennie echoed those sentiments: "It's going to be a fun game. I think the fans want it, I think we want it and we're looking forward to it."

If McKennie can offer up a similar performance on Sunday, then he and his U.S. teammates may very well end up as Gold Cup champions.

Can Afghanistan end their World Cup with a win and give their coach Simmons a happy farewell at Headingley? Follow all the chatter and analyses here. If the blog doesn't load immediately, please refresh the page

Previous World Cup Central entries: May 24-June 5 | June 6-June 18 | June 19-July 3

July 4

Glenn Maxwell feels he is hitting the ball as well as any stage of his career and is confident a telling score is around the corner after not quite being able to find lift-off during the group stage.

Maxwell has scored quickly - with a strike-rate of 190 - but not for very long, making just 143 runs in eight innings ahead of facing South Africa. He threatened against India when the asking rate was steep, struck an unbeaten 46 off 25 balls against Sri Lanka and was cutting lose against Bangladesh with 32 off just 10 balls before being run out.

"I feel like I haven't hit the ball better in my career, I just haven't got the runs," he said. "It's been nice to be relaxed when I got out into the middle, just runs probably haven't come the way I would have liked but sure they aren't far away. If I was out form and out of runs I'd be a bit more nervous but feel I hit the ball in the middle the other day [against New Zealand] then got one on the toe end, so I'm not too worried. I've been training really well so a big one not far away."

Maxwell, who spent a month in county cricket with Lancashire before the World Cup instead of going to the IPL, won't be changing any of his routines ahead of the semi-final.

"I feel like I've been able to play my role over different times. Over the last two or three games I just haven't got away and the first bit of bad luck seems to go against you - against Bangladesh I was run out when I was hitting them as well as I ever have and from then it's been a bit tough going. It's just about not over complicating it and clouding your head even further."

The lure of playing with American teenager Coco Gauff has proved too strong for Britain's Jay Clarke, who has dumped mixed doubles partner Harriet Dart at the last minute to play alongside the young star.

Gauff, 15, made waves at Wimbledon after becoming the youngest player in the professional era to qualify for the main draw and then beating Venus Williams and 2017 semifinalist Magdalena Rybarikova to reach the third round.

Britain's Dart, ranked No. 182 in the world, was left frustrated after she received a text message from Clarke saying he was switching partners ahead of the mixed doubles opening round Thursday.

"Essentially due to the timing I wasn't able to find another partner in the time period available," Dart told the Daily Mail. "I did ask a number of people, but a lot of them were set up and that's it. I think you should ask Jay about his reasons, that's all I want to say."

Clarke said Gauff had contacted him and asked him if they could play together.

"I've known Cori for a few years now, we got in contact, and she asked me to play," Clarke said. "That was tough. I had to let her know because I saw the pairs that had signed in, and I was thinking 'Am I even going to get in?'

"I think it's the worst decision I have had to make, especially mid-tournament. I didn't sleep too well the night before I played Noah [Rubin in a first-round singles match], but hopefully she understands why I did it. I'm sorry for her it happened."

Clarke plays Roger Federer in the second round Thursday before teaming up with Gauff to face Robert Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko in the mixed doubles first round Friday.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

The Memphis Grizzlies do not intend to give forward Andre Iguodala a buyout before the season and are actively exploring the trade market for the former Finals MVP, league sources told ESPN.

The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams with interest in Iguodala, according to sources.

The Golden State Warriors sent Iguodala, who is due $17.2 million next season in the final year of his contract, along with a lightly protected 2024 first-round pick to the rebuilding Grizzlies because they needed to shed his salary to execute the three-team, sign-and-trade deal for All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell.

It was widely speculated that Iguodala would land with the Los Angeles Lakers if he received a buyout. Rob Pelinka was Iguodala's agent before he became the Lakers' general manager, and Iguodala would likely be eager to join a contender.

Iguodala, 35, a critical piece of the Warriors' three championships and five consecutive Finals appearances, is considered one of the league's elite wing defenders and is an excellent passer and threat off the dribble. He averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as Golden State's sixth man last regular season. Those averages increased to 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists during the playoffs, when Iguodala started the majority of the games.

The Grizzlies used a trade exception acquired in the Mike Conley trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire Iguodala, getting the future first-round pick for facilitating the deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Brooklyn Nets and Russell to Golden State.

Memphis, under the leadership of recently promoted executive vice president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman, has made accumulating young players and future picks a priority this summer.

Last month, the Grizzlies dealt veteran guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz for Grayson Allen, Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder, the 23rd pick in June's NBA draft and a future first-round pick. On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Grizzlies were sending Korver to the Phoenix Suns in a four-team trade that gives Memphis former No. 4 pick Josh Jackson, guard De'Anthony Melton and two future second-round picks.

With significant interest in Iguodala, the Grizzlies hope to flip him for more assets instead of offering the 15-year veteran a buyout.

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers never wonder whether they can pull out a victory late in a game. Their only suspense is which player will be the next hero.

It was All-Star Cody Bellinger's turn for the second straight game.

He hit a tiebreaking homer in the 10th inning, giving the Dodgers a fifth consecutive walk-off victory at home, 5-4 over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.

"He's a one-man wrecking crew right now," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.

The Dodgers are the fifth team in MLB history to win at least five straight home games via walk-off within a season, according to Elias Sports Bureau research.

Bellinger drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the ninth to force in the winning run in a 5-4 victory Tuesday.

"It's pretty crazy what we're doing," he said. "There's not many words to describe it. It's pretty special."

He hit a solo shot in the second inning Wednesday, and his 29 homers are the most in franchise history before the All-Star break. He broke a tie with Gil Hodges and Duke Snider, who each had 28.

"I was feeling positive and confident going into spring training, but I did not expect to do this," Bellinger said. "It's been a crazy first half overall, and I'm enjoying every second of it."

After Chris Taylor struck out to open the 10th, Bellinger crushed a high-arcing pitch from Yoan Lopez (1-2) into the right-field seats, triggering a raucous celebration and chants of "MVP! MVP!"

"It's tough to navigate our lineup when we're tough in the strike zone," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Pitchers know they have to be perfect, and it's hard to sustain that."

Arizona closer Greg Holland knows it only too well.

He issued four of Arizona's five walks with two outs in the ninth Tuesday.

"We had them beat two nights in a row and it was on me to get the job done and I didn't," Holland said. "I hate that because I want to help the guys win."

Enrique Hernandez opened the ninth inning with a double down the right-field line.

Matt Beaty's RBI single tied the score 4-4. He took second on Holland's wild pitch.

With the sellout crowd of 53,327 on its feet rhythmically clapping and chanting "Let's go, Dodgers!" pinch hitter Justin Turner struck out looking against Holland, who was replaced by Yoshihisa Hirano.

Pinch hitter Russell Martin and Joc Pederson drew consecutive walks to load the bases, but Alex Verdugo grounded into a weak double play to second to send it to the 10th.

"It speaks to our depth to put together innings like that late against high-leverage guys," Dodgers starter Walker Buehler said. "We trust our hitters one through nine."

Joe Kelly (3-3) got the win after retiring the side in the 10th.

The D-backs took a 4-3 lead in the ninth on Carson Kelly's homer off closer Kenley Jansen. They tied the score 3-3 on Ketel Marte's RBI single with two outs in the seventh.

A night after Arizona blew an early 3-0 lead, it was the Dodgers' turn.

They led 3-0 in the second on Bellinger's homer and a pair of RBI singles by Buehler and Pederson with two outs.

The D-backs closed to 3-2 on Christian Walker's two-run shot in the fourth.

Coming off his worst outing of the season, Buehler gave up three runs and nine hits in seven innings. The All-Star right-hander struck out nine and walked none.

Buehler gave up seven runs and 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings at Colorado last week. In seven of his previous eight outings, he'd given up two earned runs or fewer.

Arizona's Merrill Kelly gave up three runs and six hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out two and walked none in his first career appearance against the Dodgers.

TRAINER'S ROOM

D-backs: LF David Peralta left the game in the bottom of the third because of right shoulder soreness. He'll have an MRI on Thursday.

Dodgers: LHP Rich Hill (left forearm strain) was transferred to the 60-day IL. He's not allowed to pick up a baseball for four weeks and then will begin playing catch. ... Turner pinch-hit in the ninth and stayed in the game in the 10th. He didn't start for the second straight game because of residual soreness from being hit on the left elbow at Colorado. He's expected to start Thursday. ... INF David Freese (strained left hamstring) took some swings and will return Friday or Saturday.

HOLLAND'S FUTURE

Lovullo said he was in "an emotional state" regarding Holland.

"I am concerned," the manager said. "I know he's grinding and I know that he wants to get things done and do them the right way and continue on his journey and close games the way he has."

However, Lovullo said he's going to discuss Holland with his staff over the next day or so.

HOME RUN DERBY

Pederson will represent the Dodgers in the Home Run Derby on Monday during All-Star festivities in Cleveland. It'll be his second appearance after finishing second to Todd Frazier in the 2015 contest. Pederson, who has 20 homers through Wednesday, is matched up against Houston's Alex Bregman in the first round. Pederson said he wanted Johnny Washington to pitch to him, but "that did not go over well" with the San Diego Padres, for whom Washington is the hitting coach. Instead, he'll use either Jose Vizcaino, a special assistant in the Dodgers' front office, or third base coach Dino Ebel.

UP NEXT

D-backs: They're off on July 4 for the first time. RHP Zack Greinke (9-3, 2.90 ERA) starts Friday at home against Colorado.

Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-2, 1.83) starts Thursday against San Diego. The NL starter in next week's All-Star Game looks to bounce back after his second loss of the season at Colorado.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

TORONTO -- After his latest rough start, struggling Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale said he has never felt more "frustrated" by his performance.

Danny Jansen and Brandon Drury each hit two-run homers, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. added a solo shot, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Sale and the Red Sox 6-3 on Wednesday night.

All three homers came off Sale (3-8), who lost for the first time in six starts. It's the second time this season Sale has allowed three homers; he also did it in his Opening Day outing against the Seattle Mariners on March 28.

"I'm supposed to be a big part of this team, a big part of this pitching staff, and I've probably been the biggest crutch," Sale said. "I know who I am and who I'm supposed to be for this team, and I haven't been anything close. I'm 3-8; that's absolutely embarrassing. On a team like this, they need me to be better, and I haven't been there for them.

"I'm standing before you as frustrated as I've ever been."

Sale gave up five runs and a season-high nine hits in 5⅔ innings. He also allowed five runs in his previous start, June 26 against the Chicago White Sox.

"It wasn't good," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "Just a lot of pitches in the zone. I know he's disappointed."

Sale came in 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA in nine career games in Toronto, but he couldn't extend that streak of dominance. Instead, he allowed at least four earned runs for the third time in three meetings with the Blue Jays. He is 0-2 with a 7.98 ERA against Toronto this season and has allowed 23 hits to Blue Jays batters over 14⅔ innings.

"I'm not locating fastballs, my changeup is terrible, breaking ball is hit or miss," Sale said. "I just haven't been myself for a while and that's obviously frustrating. It's the same thing over and over."

Sale isn't expected to pitch again until after the All-Star break, meaning he'll get at least nine days off before facing the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park.

"Hopefully, when he comes back, we'll get him back on track," Cora said.

Drury went 3-for-4 and came within a triple of the cycle. He singled in the third and doubled in the eighth.

Blue Jays right-hander Jacob Waguespack (1-0) allowed three runs and five hits in five-plus innings for his first career win.

"That's the second time I've seen him pitch in the big leagues, and he's been really good," Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said.

Waguespack was pressed into action after Wednesday's original scheduled starter, right-hander Sean Reid-Foley, pitched 3⅓ innings of no-hit relief in Tuesday's 10-6 loss. Instead, Toronto used right-hander David Phelps to open for Waguespack, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to make his second career appearance.

Rafael Devers hit a two-run single off Waguespack in the third, but Gurriel halved the deficit with a two-out homer, his 15th, in the bottom half.

Christian Vazquez restored the two-run lead with a solo homer in the fourth, his 13th and third in the past three games.

Jansen tied it with a second-deck drive in the bottom half, his sixth of the year and fourth in six games.

Drury ended Sale's night with a two-out homer in the sixth, his seventh and first since June 5.

Waguespack left after Vazquez singled to begin the seventh. Left-hander Tim Mayza followed and struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. before Chavis doubled. Right-hander Daniel Hudson came on to face pinch hitter Eduardo Nunez, who flied out. Hudson ended the threat by striking out Mookie Betts.

Hudson worked the eighth, and Ken Giles pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 13th save in 14 opportunities.

Blue Jays shortstop Freddy Galvis went 3-for-3 with a walk, including a double on Sale's first pitch of the game. Galvis padded Toronto's lead with a sacrifice fly off Steven Wright in the eighth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (pectoral cramp) might need an extra day of rest before his next start or possibly a stint on the injured list. Stroman left Saturday's start against the Kansas City Royals in the fifth inning. He is listed as Toronto's starter for Thursday's series finale. ... OF Teoscar Hernandez (right shoulder) sat for the second straight day.

SCORING STREAK

Toronto has scored five or more in five straight games and in 13 of the past 14.

YOU'RE A STAR

Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts was one of three injury replacements named to the American League All-Star team on Wednesday. Bogaerts went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.

NOT CROWDED

Attendance was 16,883, just 542 more than Toronto's Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, drew for their 5-4 home win over Lehigh Valley.

ROSTER REPORT

Blue Jays: Reid-Foley was optioned to Buffalo to make room for Waguespack.

Red Sox: C Oscar Hernandez was assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: RHP Hector Velazquez (1-3, 5.31) will make his eighth start of the season in Thursday's series finale. Velazquez also has made 13 relief appearances.

Blue Jays: If Stroman can't go Thursday, Toronto could promote LHP Thomas Pannone from Triple-A. Pannone has made 23 appearances for the Blue Jays this season, including two starts. He is 2-3 with a 5.91 ERA.