DETROIT (AP) \u2014 Bo Bichette\u2019s two-run single broke a scoreless tie in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the slumping Detroit Tigers 6-1 on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Nathan Lukes, George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered in a four-run ninth as the Blue Jays won their fourth in a row and increased their AL East lead to 6 1\/2 games over the New York Yankees. <\/p>\n
The Tigers have lost six straight and 12 of 13, but still hold a comfortable lead in the AL Central. They\u2019ve scored only 33 runs during that stretch (2.5 per game) and were held to a pair of Jake Rogers singles on Saturday. <\/p>\n
Four Toronto pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts and one walk. The Blue Jays are 8-1 since the All-Star break and have won 21 of 26 overall.<\/p>\n
Riley Greene\u2019s ninth-inning groundout plated Detroit\u2019s only run.<\/p>\n
Tarik Skubal allowed five hits in six scoreless innings for the Tigers. He walked three and struck out seven.<\/p>\n
Toronto starter Kevin Gausman permitted one hit and one walk in six shutout innings, striking out 10.<\/p>\n
Braydon Fisher (4-0) pitched a perfect seventh for the win.<\/p>\n
Detroit threw out a runner at the plate on an unusual play in the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, Tyler Heineman hit a soft flare into center field that Matt Vierling grabbed on a short hop. Springer had to hold up at third to see if the ball would be caught on a fly, and Vierling\u2019s throw home was in time to get him.<\/p>\n
Key moment<\/p>\n
Pinch-hitter Joey Loperfido and Springer started the eighth with singles and moved up on a wild pitch by Will Vest (5-2). Guerrero grounded out before Bichette hit a two-run single past diving second baseman Gleyber Torres.<\/p>\n
Key stat<\/p>\n
Detroit has been outscored 89-33 over the last 13 games.<\/p>\n
Up next<\/p>\n
RHP Max Scherzer (1-0, 5.14 ERA) faces one of his former teams Sunday when Toronto tries for a four-game sweep. RHP Jack Flaherty (5-10, 4.77) pitches for the Tigers.<\/p>\n
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