Rogers hits grand slam to power Tigers past Blue Jays

TORONTO (AP) — Jake Rogers hit his third career grand slam during a six-run sixth inning, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-3 on Saturday for their 10th win in 12 games.

Andy Ibáñez had two hits and two RBIs for the Tigers. Rogers hit his seventh home run off Trevor Richards, who entered after the Tigers knocked Yusei Kikuchi (4-9) out of the game during their big inning.

“We’re having fun right now and need to keep it up,” Rogers said.

Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer, his 16th, but the slumping Blue Jays lost for the fourth time in five and matched a season worst by falling 10 games below .500.

Guerrero homered for the third straight game for the second time this season. He also did it June 27-29.

Tigers right-hander Reese Olson left after two innings because of a sore right shoulder. He threw 30 pitches, 16 strikes.

Olson used double-play grounders to strand runners in each of his two scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, both singles, and walked one.

“He came off the mound after the second inning kind of shaking his arm and said he didn’t feel very good,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “Once he said his arm was bugging him we immediately pulled him and had to scurry to get someone up and going.”

Right-hander Alex Faedo (5-1) replaced Olson in the third and pitched two innings.

“Alex came in and did a great job,” Hinch said.

Olson was not made available to reporters following the game. He’ll return to Detroit to visit the Tigers team doctor, Hinch said.

“It was tough losing him and I hope he’s all right,” catcher Rogers said.

Righty Kenta Maeda allowed three runs in two innings. Left-hander Tyler Horton pitched the seventh and eighth, and right-hander Shelby Miller finished.

Detroit clinched the season series against Toronto for the first time since 2018 with a 5-4 win Friday. The Tigers have won five of six meetings with the Blue Jays in 2024.

Kikuchi (4-9) allowed four runs and five hits in five-plus innings, extending his streak of winless outings to seven. Kikuchi has not won since June 11 at Milwaukee.

“He had good stuff again, then kind of lost his command at the end,” manager John Schneider said.

Detroit’s Javier Báez returned to the lineup after leaving last Saturday’s win over the Dodgers and sitting out the final game before the All-Star break.

Báez finished 1 for 4 with two strikeouts. He singled and scored in the sixth.

Ibáñez doubled home the game’s first run with two outs in the fifth.

Kikuchi left after the first three batters reached in the sixth. Richards came on and gave up a 391-foot home run to Rogers.

Ibáñez added an RBI single off Richards and later scored on a wild pitch by left-hander Brendon Little.

TRAINER’S ROOM

The Blue Jays put SS Bo Bichette on the 10-day IL because of a strained right calf and recalled Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo. Schneider said Bichette has a “moderate” strain and is expected to miss “multiple weeks.” The two-time All-Star left Friday’s game after six innings. He pulled up running from home plate to first base.

UP NEXT

RHP Kevin Gausman (7-8, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to start as the Blue Jays seek to avoid a sweep in Sunday’s series finale. RHP Keider Montero (1-2, 5.47) goes for the Tigers.

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