ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A moderately strong earthquake struck central Turkey on Thursday, the country’s disaster management agency said, causing damage to some buildings. There were no immediate reports of any deaths or serious injuries.
The 5.6 magnitude quake hit in the town of Sulusaray, in Tokat province, some 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of the capital, Ankara, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency.
It was felt in neighboring provinces, including in Yozgat, where a two-story building collapsed, the disaster agency said.
Several mudbrick and wooden homes and barns were damaged in the village of Bugdayli, near Sulusaray, according to Tokat's governor Numan Hatipoglu. Earlier in the day, Sulusaray was hit by two other earthquakes, measuring magnitude 4.7 and magnitude 4.1.
“The buildings, the lampposts, everything swayed like a cradle,” said Gazi Ay, a resident of the town of Turhal, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Sulusaray.
“Everyone ran out of buildings,” he told The Associated Press by telephone, adding that many of his neighbors were too afraid to return to their homes.
Turkey lies on active fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.
A devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck parts of southern Turkey and neighboring Syria last year, killing more than 59,000 people.
A man looks at the damage caused by a moderately-strong earthquake that struck Tokat province, some 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of the capital, Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit in the town of Sulusaray, in Tokat province, causing damage to some buildings. There was no immediate report of any casualties or serious injuries. (Dia Images via AP)
TORONTO (AP) — Seth Lugo pitched seven strong innings to win for the fifth time in seven starts, Michael Massey hit a three-run home run and the Kansas City Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 on Wednesday.
Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits, scored once and also drove in a run as the Royals won for the fifth time in seven meetings with Toronto.
Witt also turned in a highlight defensive play, making a sliding stop and throwing from one knee to retire Bo Bichette for the final out of the sixth inning.
Salvador Perez had an RBI single and extended his career-best streak of reaching base safely to 21 games. His 27 RBIs lead the American League.
Massey homered off right-hander Nate Pearson in the eighth, his second in two games. He finished with four RBIs.
Lugo (5-1) allowed just one hit, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s single in the first, until Toronto catcher Danny Jansen homered with two outs in the seventh. The solo blast was Jansen’s third of the season.
Lugo walked two and struck out eight. He lowered his ERA to 1.60.
Chris Stratton worked the eighth and Nick Anderson finished.
Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt (2-5) didn’t allow a hit through five innings, but had his outing unravel after Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel doubled to begin the sixth.
Maikel Garcia sacrificed Isbel to third and Witt followed with a tiebreaking single through the drawn-in infield.
Vinnie Pasquantino doubled, advancing Witt to third, and Perez made it 2-0 with another base hit through the infield. Massey’s RBI groundout capped the inning.
Bassitt lost his third straight start, allowing three runs and four hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out four.
The Royals used replay review to confirm that Perez was hit by a two-out pitch in the fourth inning. Massey struck out to end the frame.
Perez started at catcher for Kansas City. He was scratched from Monday’s start behind the plate but came on as a pinch hitter. Perez started at first base Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Brady Singer (2-1, 2.62) is scheduled to start Friday as Kansas City hosts Texas. RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-1, 4.24) goes for the Rangers.
Blue Jays: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (2-2, 294 ERA) is expected to start Friday as Toronto visits Washington for a three-game series.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) works against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) reacts after giving up three runs to the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) looks to first base as he works against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) is forced out by Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) on a double play in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) forces outs Toronto Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho (25) to end the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) works against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Toronto, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
