Los Angeles Dodgers’ Zack Greinke pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in Philadelphia.

Reuters/Philadelphia
Zack Greinke shined on Thursday, but not the way he normally does.
In fact, the National League Cy Young Award favorite had his worst start of the season on the mound.
But as he struggled with his pitching, he made up for it at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run and three runs scored to help the Los Angeles Dodgers outslug the Philadelphia Phillies 10-8.
“He can swing the bat, that’s for sure,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.
Greinke (11-2), who entered with a major league-best 1.41 ERA surrendered a season-high six runs, five of which came in the first inning.
However, the National League West-leading Dodgers (62-46) took care of the right-hander by countering with 15 hits and a surplus of support to improve to a season-best 16 games above .500.
“Today, I was really mad after that first inning, so more motivation to try and get some hits,” Greinke said.
“Usually, I just try to focus on pitching, but we were down by some runs, so I needed to put some good at-bats out there today.”
Los Angeles scored three runs in the first inning, that Philadelphia countered in the bottom with five runs before Greinke could get an out.
First baseman Ryan Howard knocked in two with a bases-loaded single before a three-run homer by right fielder Domonic Brown handed the Phillies a 5-3 advantage.
The scoring had started with a bunt single by second baseman Cesar Hernandez on which Greinke air-mailed a throw to first base that left him visibly frustrated.
“I know I was upset about it,” Greinke said. “I should have gotten over it quicker, but I should have made that play.”
As Greinke struggled, Los Angeles battered Philadelphia starter David Buchanan (2-6), scoring three more runs in the second on a homer by first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
Greinke then helped his cause in the third inning with a solo homer to left-center field that boosted the Dodgers’ lead to 7-5.
The right-hander gave back the run in the bottom of the third but found a groove the rest of the way to finish six innings with eight strikeouts.
“I always feel like you can’t lose in the first inning, you’ve got to just keep them there,” Greinke said.
“The game’s not over by any means no matter what, but if you keep letting them score, then the game’s over.”
 Behind Buehrle, Jays complete sweep of Twins
Mark Buehrle did not feel so great on the mound on Thursday.
However, the Toronto left-hander said he still felt great about his team, and the Blue Jays backed him up by defeating the Minnesota Twins 9-3 to complete a sweep of the four-game series.
Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion led the way with a homer, two doubles and four RBIs.
“If it’s a rookie pitching or a guy that’s been around for a while, we’ve got that feel of whose butt are we going to kick today,” said Buehrle, who pitched seven innings and allowed five hits and one walk while striking out one.
“That’s a good feeling. We haven’t had that the couple of years I’ve been here.”
Left fielder Ben Revere added three hits and three runs for the Blue Jays (58-52), who won their fifth consecutive game.
“It’s a better team, no question about that,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
“We’re feeling good right now, and we continue to swing the bats well, we’ve done it all year. Eddie’s started to heat it up these last few games, and that’s big for us.
“Buehrle got another win tonight. He labored most of the game. I thought he was a little bit off, but he gives up three runs, so you tip your hat to the guy.”
Third baseman Trevor Plouffe hit a two-run homer and center fielder Aaron Hicks added a solo shot for the Twins, who lost their fifth in a row.
“They’re playing well, they’re playing confidently, and they kind of took it to us for four days,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said.
“Right now, it doesn’t feel good at all. It’s how you get there, and we’re going the wrong way. The light went out here a couple of hours ago.”
Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson (8-9) allowed eight runs on nine hits and three walks and had four strikeouts in 4-2/3 innings.
“There aren’t too many teams going to beat that team over there,” Twins right fielder Torii Hunter said.
“They’ve got a great squad. The way they hit the ball is just unbelievable.
“When they hit the ball, it sounds like car crashes. They’re one of the best teams in baseball, offensively.”