Rogers’ grand slam lifts Tigers 7-3 over Jays

TORONTO – Catcher Jake Rogers’ expansive slam highlighted a six-run sixth inning to thief nan Detroit Tigers to a 7-3 triumph against nan Toronto Blue Jays connected Saturday.

Vladimir Guerrero went 3 for 4 and belted a two-run homer arsenic portion of a three-run sixth for Toronto (44-54).

But Rogers’ decisive rustle delivered nan Tigers (49-50) their 10th triumph successful 12 outings and nan first 2 games of nan three-game group against Toronto earlier 38,583 astatine Rogers Centre.

Down 7-0, Kevin Kiermaier blooped a one-out double down nan left-field statement and scored connected George Springer’s single. Guerrero past deed his team-leading 16th homer pinch 2 retired disconnected reliever Kenta Maeda to straightaway centre. It was Guerrero’s 2nd agelong shot of nan series.

After giving up back-to-back singles pinch 2 retired successful nan first inning, Toronto starter Yusei Kikuchi (4-9) settled down to discontinue 12 of nan adjacent 13 Tigers earlier Alex Vilade’s azygous to centre pinch 2 retired successful nan fifth.

Vilade chugged location connected Andy Ibanez’s double down nan left-field line. Toronto’s Daulton Varsho bobbled nan deed and was fixed an error, allowing nan slow-footed Vilade to people and Ibanez to extremity up astatine third.

Kikuchi’s time concluded erstwhile he loaded nan bases to statesman nan sixth pinch a azygous to Matt Vierling, a locomotion to Mark Canha and deed Wenceel Perez.

Rogers greeted reliever Trevor Richards pinch a 391-foot changeable into nan left-field seats for his 3rd profession expansive slam.

Richards only retired 1 of nan six batters he faced. Ibanez singled location Javier Baez pinch Richards still connected nan mound to push nan Tigers advantage to 6-0.

Detroit sent 11 batters to nan sheet successful nan sixth inning, scoring a last tally connected reliever Brendon Little’s chaotic pitch.

Detroit starter Reese Olson departed aft 2 innings and 30 pitches pinch a sore correct shoulder. He gave up a Guerrero azygous and 2 walks but was bailed retired by double plays to extremity each of his innings.

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Tigers head A.J. Hinch employed a bid of relievers to sphere nan shutout. Alex Faedo (5-1), Maeda and Tyler Holton went 2 innings apiece pinch Shelby Miller closing nan ninth.

BROKEN BO

The Blue Jays placed Bo Bichette connected nan 10-day injured database aft leaving nan bid opener against Detroit pinch a strained correct calf.

He missed nan last 4 games earlier nan all-star break and 10 days successful precocious June pinch nan aforesaid ailment.

To switch Bichette, Toronto recalled infielder/outfielder Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo.

ON DECK

Kevin Gausman (7-8) will commencement for nan Blue Jays successful nan bid finale connected Sunday. The Tigers will antagonistic pinch righty Keider Montero (1-2).

This study by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2024.