Tigers tame Jays 5-4 with clutch home runs

TORONTO – Two-run homers from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer were not capable successful nan Toronto Blue Jays’ series-opening 5-4 nonaccomplishment to nan Detroit Tigers connected Friday.

Mark Canha and Wenceel Perez besides smacked two-run blasts arsenic nan Tigers (48-50) won their ninth crippled successful 11 starts.

Detroit jumped retired to a 3-0 lead successful nan 4th inning, but Guerrero’s team-leading 15th homer pulled nan location broadside to wrong a tally successful nan sixth inning.

Toronto starter Chris Bassitt (8-8) surrendered a 2nd two-run homer, this clip to Perez successful nan seventh inning, to let nan Tigers to regain their three-run cushion.

But nan Blue Jays (44-53) bounced backmost pinch a Springer two-run changeable successful nan eighth inning disconnected reliever Beau Briske earlier 39,697 astatine Rogers Centre.

Bo Bichette near nan crippled successful nan sixth inning erstwhile he aggravated nan correct calf wounded moving to first base. The wounded kept him retired of nan last 4 games earlier nan All-Star break. He besides missed 9 games pinch nan aforesaid ailment earlier successful nan year.

Guerrero’s line-drive homer disconnected nan 2nd platform facing successful near section pinch Justin Turner aboard spelled nan extremity of a superb commencement from Detroit’s Jack Flaherty (7-5). He yielded 2 runs connected 3 hits pinch 8 strikeouts and a locomotion successful his 5 2/3 innings.

Bassitt lasted 6 2/3 innings, giving up 5 runs connected 7 hits pinch six strikeouts and a walk.

His first troublesome inning was nan fourth. Matt Vierling led disconnected pinch a double down nan left-field statement and scored connected Riley Greene’s single. Canha past rocked his seventh homer of nan play for a 3-0 advantage for nan visitors.

Flaherty retired nan first 13 Blue Jays he faced. But his no-hit bid ended connected Bichette’s check-swing, one-out azygous down nan right-field statement successful nan 5th inning.

Daulton Varsho followed pinch a bloop azygous erstwhile Detroit shortstop Zach McKinstry and left-fielder Ryan Vilade sewage their signals crossed. But Flaherty rebounded by striking retired Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement to extremity nan threat.

Detroit relievers Will Vest, Andrew Chafin and Beau Briske made judge Flaherty recorded nan victory. Detroit lefty Tyler Holton enjoyed a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 3rd save.

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BOLSTERED BULLPEN

The Blue Jays activated Yimi Garcia (right elbow) from nan 15-day injured database and recalled Erik Swanson from triple-A Buffalo earlier nan crippled to thief nan bullpen.

Swanson was optioned to Buffalo connected May 28 erstwhile Chad Green completed his rehab stint. Zach Pop was optioned to Buffalo to make room for Swanson.

The Blue Jays besides revealed that 40-year-old Canadian Joey Votto tweaked his sore ankle to hold his debut pinch Buffalo connected Friday. He will beryllium re-evaluated connected Saturday.

ON DECK

Yusei Kikuchi (4-8) will commencement for nan Blue Jays successful nan 2nd crippled of nan three-game group connected Saturday. The Tigers will antagonistic pinch righty Reese Olson (4-8).

Toronto will debar Detroit ace Tarik Skubal (10-3) successful nan series. Skubal sounded a 1-2-3 2nd inning pinch 10 pitches successful nan Major League Baseball All-Star Game successful Arlington, Texas past Tuesday.

This study by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2024.