Kevin Gausman struck out ten batters, a career high this season, Daulton Varsho hit a decisive home run in the seventh inning and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Detroit Tigers 9-1 on Thursday night.
“I didn’t think I had what it took to strike out ten batters today, but I was able to control my pitches,” Gausman said. We were 0-1 at almost every batter, and when you do that, you become the aggressor. »
Gausman struck out ten batters in six innings of work.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Isiah Kiner-Falefa also hit a long ball for the Blue Jays, who signed their fourth victory in five games. Bo Bichette had three hits.
The Tigers lost a fifth straight game.
“This team works hard,” said Tigers manager AJ Hinch. Effort is not the same as win-loss record. »
Gausman (3-3) allowed one run and three hits.
Jack Flaherty (1-4) allowed three runs and seven hits in six and a third innings of work. He walked one and struck out nine Blue Jays batters.
“It really sucked,” Flaherty said. Gausman was really good tonight, so after scoring a run, the seventh inning had to be perfect from us. I have to be better. »
Kiner-Falefa gave the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead with a home run in the third inning.
The Tigers hadn’t had a hit until Javier Baez’s single in the sixth inning.
Daniel Vogelbach led off the seventh inning with a single against the wall in right center. One out later, Varsho made it 3-1 with his Blue Jays-high ninth homer of the season.
The Blue Jays added three more hits in the eighth inning.
Productive singles from Bichette and Justin Turner made it 5-1.