Cavan Biggio’s eighth-inning three-run homer helped the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-6 on Sunday.
The Blue Jays (37-30) erased a five-point deficit to prevent the Twins (33-33) from sweeping this three-game series.
Alejandro Kirk and Santiago Espinal opened the eighth inning with a single each before Biggio hit his fifth long ball of the season, beating Emilio Pagan (3-1).
Blue Jays stopper Jordan Romano collected his 18e rescue of the season. Nate Pearson (4-0) recorded the win after working two innings in relief.
The Twins manhandled Toronto starter Kevin Gausman by scoring four runs in the first inning. Quebecer Édouard Julien started the ball rolling with a double that Biggio couldn’t catch.
Two walks, a double by Alex Kiriloff and singles by Trevor Larnach and Royce Lewis pushed four runners home in an eight-batter inning.
The Blue Jays scored a run in the first inning. George Springer led off the inning with a single and then went to third base when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit center field. Matt Chapman hit a sacrifice to send Springer to the plate.
The Twins extended their lead to 6-1 in the fifth inning. Donovan Solano hit a solo homer and Lewis drove in on a single.
Gausman was on duty for four and two-thirds innings, throwing 101 pitches. He gave up six runs, seven hits and four walks.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Biggio singled and scored when shortstop Carlos Correa made a bad throw. Chapman then slammed a two-run homer as Guerrero found himself on the trails.
That was the last pitch for Twins starter Louie Varland. He gave up four runs, six hits and two walks in four and two-thirds innings on the mound.