Blue Jays Rally on Braves’ Errors

Homer Bush, Shannon Stewart and Alex Gonzalez drove in runs in the sixth inning at Toronto and the Blue Jays capitalized on three Atlanta errors to defeat the Braves, 9-4, at Toronto on Monday night.

The Braves, who began the game with the fewest errors in the majors (31), committed a season-high four.

Trailing, 3-2, in the sixth, the Blue Jays rallied with three runs as the Braves bungled three consecutive plays.

Brad Fullmer singled and Darrin Fletcher doubled against starter John Burkett (5-5). Bush followed with a run-scoring grounder against reliever Jason Marquis. Shortstop Rafae Furcal misplayed the grounder for an error.

Stewart then hit an RBI grounder that eluded second baseman Quilvio Veras. Fletcher scored on the play.

Gonzalez hit a grounder to Marquis, who tried for a double play. But Marquis’ throw to second sailed into center field, allowing Bush to score the Blue Jays’ fifth run.

Atlanta right-hander John Smoltz was put on the 15-day disabled list.

Smoltz, who made five starts since returning from ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow, has inflammation in his right elbow and shoulder.

Smoltz is 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA.

Right-handed reliever Joe Nelson replaced Smoltz on the roster.

With the league’s worst record (19-41) and headed toward a ninth consecutive losing season, the Pittsburgh Pirates fired General Manager Cam Bonifay.

The general manager since 1993, Bonifay, 49, had come under increased pressure this year as the pitching staff was decimated by injuries and the Pirates moved into a new ballpark.

Pirate CEO and managing partner Kevin McClatchy said he asked Bonifay to resign but he declined.

“I was disappointed because I don’t think it’s time for me to leave this post,” Bonifay said.