Blue Jays take series in Cleveland, move within half-game of wild-card spot

The Toronto Blue Jays left Cleveland with more than a series victory. Toronto defeated the Guardians 6-3 on Thursday, taking two of three games and moving within half a game of Cleveland for the final American League wild-card spot.

The Blue Jays improved to 70-71 and have won five of their last six games. Cleveland fell to 70-70, while Toronto also finished the season series with a 4-2 advantage.

Brett Bateman collected three hits and Nathan Lukes delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon, a two-run double during a four-run fifth inning that turned a tied game in Toronto’s favour.

Blue Jays break through in the middle innings

Toronto did not score until the fourth, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drew a walk and advanced to second on a groundout by Jesús Sánchez. Sean Keys followed with an RBI single to bring Guerrero home.

The Guardians answered to make it 1-1, but the Blue Jays quickly took control against Tanner Bibee in the fifth.

Ernie Clement and Brandon Valenzuela opened the inning with walks before Bateman dropped a bunt down the third-base line and beat the play to load the bases.

Lukes followed with a two-run double that gave Toronto the lead. Guerrero added a sacrifice fly and Sánchez drove in another run with a single as the Blue Jays sent 10 batters to the plate and emerged with a 5-1 advantage.

Bibee was charged with five runs on four hits and five walks, matching a career high in free passes. The loss dropped him to 5-15.

Cleveland made the game considerably tighter in the bottom half.

Toronto starter José Soriano departed with two runners aboard and two outs after allowing six hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings. Mason Fluharty entered and walked David Fry to load the bases before Austin Hedges drove in two with a single.

Both runs were charged to Soriano, whose final line included three earned runs, and Toronto’s advantage was reduced to 5-3.

Bullpen protects Toronto’s lead

Cleveland did not score again.

Spencer Miles recorded the final out of the sixth and worked a clean seventh to earn the win, improving to 6-2. Tyler Rogers handled the eighth and picked up his 30th hold.

Toronto added insurance with two outs in the ninth. Josh Smith walked, Andrés Giménez singled and Clement brought Smith home with another single for a 6-3 lead.

Louis Varland then had to navigate some late pressure.

Cleveland put two runners aboard with two outs, bringing Angel Genao to the plate as the potential tying run. Varland struck him out to end the game and secure his 32nd save in 33 opportunities.

Toronto finished with nine hits and six walks despite producing only one extra-base hit, Lukes’ double. Bateman led the lineup with three hits, while Lukes had two. Smith reached three times via walks.

The Blue Jays now head to Kansas City after gaining significant ground during their stay in Cleveland. Jameson Taillon is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener against the Royals.