(Toronto) Daulton Varsho came to bat three times while the cushions were all occupied.
Even though he only managed one hit in such a situation, that’s all the Toronto Blue Jays needed on Sunday.
Varsho’s grand slam in the fifth inning helped the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Cleveland Guardians 7-6 at Rogers Centre.
It was Varsho’s second grand slam of the season and his 11th homer of the campaign, a career high for the Blue Jays (35-36).
“It’s that kind of moment where you manage to produce something and sometimes you don’t. When you do it, you feel really good,” Varsho said.
Ernie Clement hit a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Blue Jays an early lead. Addison Barger drove in a run with a single in the fifth.
“We can hit the long ball, but we can also play more methodical baseball at times,” Varsho said. I think it helps us win a lot of games. »
Jose Berrios (6-5) allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings on the mound. Relievers Chad Green, Brendon Little and Yimi Garcia followed, as Garcia allowed two runs, but Nate Pearson closed the books to record a second save this season.
“I have to continue to go out on the field, compete and do what I do best. And I did it, Berrios noted. They scored four points against me, but I still made good shots to give my team a chance to win. »
Daniel Schneemann and Brayan Rocchio both hit a two-point long ball for the Guardians (44-25). Steven Kwan had a run-scoring single and Tyler Freeman also drove in one.
Ben Lively (6-3) allowed four runs, six hits and three walks in four innings of work. Nick Sandlin, Scott Barlow, Cade Smith, Sam Hentges, Pedro Avila and Hunter Gaddis came in relief for the Guardians.
The Blue Jays’ first inning showed promise of big things as they loaded the bases without an out, following a single by Spencer Horwitz, a walk by Davis Schneider and a base hit of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Lively, however, removed Varsho, George Springer and Alejandro Kirk to curb the threat.
“It’s going to happen,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. Sometimes you get a point and sometimes you don’t. I liked the way we came back after the first round. »
Clement made up for his team’s missed opportunity in the second round.
He catapulted a Lively pitch deep into left for his third homer of the campaign. Barger preceded him to the plate.
Kwan reduced the lead following a single in the fifth inning, pushing Schneemann to the plate for the Guardians. Rocchio then touched the plate to tie the score even though Freeman was compromised into a double play.
Varsho’s grand slam gave Toronto the lead again at the end of the fifth inning. Horwitz, Schneider and Guerrero crossed the plate before him.
After Springer and Kirk drew walks, Barger singled to center field to produce the Blue Jays’ seventh run.
Schneemann put the Guardians back in the game with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, before Rocchio cut the lead to 7-6 following a two-run long ball in the ninth.
