Matt Vierling hit a game-winning three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as the Detroit Tigers slugged past the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 14-11 on Sunday.
Vierling’s game-winner came off Jordan Romano (2-1) and extended Detroit’s win streak to three games. Spencer Torkelson singled and Kerry Carpenter was intentionally walked to get to Vierling.
Carson Kelly hit a three-run homer, while Torkelson also homered for the Tigers. Mark Canha had three hits, including a two-run single. Andy Ibanez and Javier Baez each drove in two runs.
Mason Englert (1-0) got the victory in relief.
Toronto’s Daulton Varsho hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run eighth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had four hits and drove in a run for the Blue Jays. Cavan Biggio hit a two-run homer and Isiah Kiner-Falefa added a solo shot.
Toronto starter Yusei Kikuchi gave up five runs and eight hits in three innings.
Detroit starter Casey Mize lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs and eight hits..
The Blue Jays left the bases loaded in the second. Detroit then took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the inning.
Torkelson led off with a double and advanced to third on Wenceel Perez’s single.
Baez then ripped a double to left center, knocking in both runners. Jake Rogers hit a double to right center off the glove of center fielder Varsho. Baez, who tagged up, was held at third.
One out later, Ibanez bounced a two-run single through the drawn-in infield.
Torkelson made it 5-0 in the bottom of the third frame with his fourth homer.
Toronto broke through in the fourth when Biggio followed Ernie Clement’s double with his second homer this season. The Blue Jays cut Detroit’s lead to 5-3 in the fifth on Justin Turner’s RBI groundout.
Canha doubled for his 800th career hit and Gio Urshela walked before Kelly blasted his second homer this season in the bottom of the inning.
Toronto scored twice in the sixth on Davis Schneider’s sacrifice fly and Guerrero’s RBI single. Vierling answered later in the inning with his fourth homer.
Kiner-Falefa homered in the seventh.
Bo Bichette’s two-run single off Jason Foley in the eighth cut the Tigers’ advantage to one before Varsho’s 10th homer put the Blue Jays on top. Canha’s two-run single in the bottom of the inning tied it up at 11-all.
–Field Level Media
