Pelfrey (2-8) allowed one run and six hits in six innings. “He’s a guy who covers a lot of pitches”.
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Mike Pelfrey (2-8) went six innings allowing just one run on six hits while walking three and striking out two.
Ryan walked Ezequiel Carrera with out and was replaced by right-hander Bobby Parnell, who retired Josh Donaldson on popup to short before giving up Encarnacion’s 23rd home run of the season, a blast to center on an 0-1 96 miles per hour fastball.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Michael Saunders celebrates after scoring on a two-run single by Troy Tulowitzki against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 7, 2016, in Toronto.
The two runs in the first inning were the only runs Verlander would grant the Jays’ high-powered offense, though he did find himself in trouble several times. “I understood I didn’t need to take a big swing or hit a home run, a base hit was just as effective”. It had the potential winning run on base with two outs in the ninth, but Tyler Naquin was thrown out on a close play at first. Sure, the six innings of three-run ball he delivered in a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers won’t make anyone forget injured all-star Marco Estrada, but he more than gave his team a chance to win.
Saunders put the Blue Jays on the scoreboard in the first inning, bouncing a single to centre field and bringing home Donaldson from second base.
The Cleveland Indians were back among the winners with a 10-2 victory over the New York Yankees, powered by Jason Kipnis’ two-homer showing, the Boston Red Sox edged the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5, the Washington Nationals prevailed 3-1 over the New York Mets, and the Texas Rangers were 6-5 winners over the Minnesota Twins.
Travis d’Arnaud, Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera also went deep for NY in a slugfest that featured eight home runs – most in the eight-year history of Citi Field. The right-hander struck out two and had three double-play grounders. Over his past 28 games, the Jays third baseman is hitting.422 with 34 runs, nine home runs and 21 walks. “I think that’s the kind of guy he needs to be”.
Kevin Pillar got the Blue Jays offence rolling earlier in the seventh. “Get the lead and then have Osuna come in, he’s been great for us”. Ryan Madson pitched a ideal ninth for his 17th save.
Pujols snapped a scoreless tie with a sixth-inning single off rookie Blake Snell (1-4).
There were runners on first and second with no outs in the fifth inning, but a couple more strikeouts averted the threat once again.
Six of Detroit’s seven hits were singles. The 32-year-old native of OH is unbeaten in his last four outings despite being lit up for six runs and 12 hits by Seattle on June 20 and yielding four runs and 12 hits in a win over Miami eight days later. He hit his ninth home run of the season off Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin.
The Jays are on a six-game win streak and now face a struggling arm in Pelfrey, who is barely holding on to an ERA below 5.00.
Drew Pomeranz tossed two-hit ball over seven innings, Melvin Upton Jr. homered leading off the game and San Diego beat Los Angeles in a tough return for starter Hyun-Jin Ryu. He joins team-mate Max Scherzer as the only pitchers in the last 30 years to begin a season 12-0.
Justin Upton: a home run and a single tonight.
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Chad Bettis (7-6) kept the Phillies in check while pitching into the seventh.
