The Toronto Blue Jays started their series against the Detroit Tigers in the best way Friday at Comerica Park, winning 10-1.
The Jays got the game off to a flying start with a diverse offensive production. After only two innings, four players had produced at least one run and three of them did so by throwing an Elvin Rodriguez (0-2) offering into the stands.
Alejandro Kirk and Bo Bichette started the ball rolling by each hitting a double in the first. The latter also homered in the next inning, as did Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and George Springer.
Rodrigez got off to a rocky start, allowing eight hits and as many earned runs in four and a third innings.
Charlie Montoyo’s men then continued their demolition work in the fifth and sixth innings, adding four runs to the board.
Springer was one of Rodriguez’s biggest torturers hitting three hits, driving in three runs and crossing home plate three times. Bichette (two earned runs and two hits) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (one earned run and two hits) also gave the Tigers defense headaches.
The starter of the only Canadian major league baseball team, Jose Berrios (5-2), had a night at odds with his vis-à-vis. He was imperial on the mound in eight innings, allowing just one earned run and five hits. Cole Beasley was flawless in relief in the ninth inning.
With the victory, the Jays find themselves tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for second place in the American Division, seven games behind the powerful New York Yankees.
The Queen City team will meet the Tigers on Saturday for the second game of a three-game series.
Elsewhere in Major League Baseball
At Progressive Field, the Cleveland Guardians scored all their runs in the ninth inning to snatch a 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.
At Nationals Park, Nelson Cruz hit a home run and drove in three runs to lead the Washington Nationals to a straight 11-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.