The Sports Xchange
Sep 10, 2017
TORONTO -- Teoscar Hernandez had two homers and five RBIs, left-hander J.A. Happ pitched six strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Detroit Tigers 8-2 on Sunday afternoon.
The career bests by Hernandez, a September callup after being acquired from the Houston Astros in a July 31 trade, helped the Blue Jays win the rubber match of the three-game series and gain a 3-3 split in their season series with the Tigers.
The left fielder had three hits on the game while Darwin Barney had a four-hit game for Toronto (66-77).
Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer for the Tigers (60-82).
Happ (8-10) allowed five hits, two walks and two runs (one earned) while striking out nine in six innings.
Luis Santos, a September call-up, allowed two hits over three innings to earn his first major league save.
Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez (3-4) allowed 12 hits, one walk and seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five.
Richard Urena led off with a single and scored from first on a two-out single by Kendrys Morales in the first to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.
The Blue Jays led 3-0 when Hernandez followed a single by Ryan Goins with his first homer of the season, a blast to center.
Kinsler's 17th homer of the season -- and his first with a runner on base -- cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth. It also scored Dixon Machado, who reached first base when shortstop Urena was charged with an error on his grounder.
The Blue Jays scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-2 lead. Singles by Jose Bautista, Morales and Kevin Pillar produced one run. The other three scored on the second homer of the game by Hernandez, a drive to right.
Reliever Jeff Ferrell replaced Sanchez after the third hit of the game by Darwin Barney, a single.
Toronto added an unearned run in the seventh against Artie Lewicki on singles by Hernandez, Barney and a passed ball.
NOTES: Tigers OF Mikie Mahtook (sore left groin) missed his second straight start in left field Sunday with INF Andrew Romine replacing him again. ... Tigers SS Jose Iglesias is still away from the team after going to Miami for the birth of his son. He has been activated from the paternity list. ... Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (illness) and INF/OF Steve Pearce (stiff lower back) were again out of the lineup Sunday. ... Toronto RHP Marco Estrada (7-8, 5.00 ERA) opposes Baltimore Orioles RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9, 6.80) Monday at the Rogers Centre. ... Tigers RHP Myles Jaye (1-0, 0.00) faces Cleveland Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.53) Monday at Progressive Field.