DETROIT (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered, Ross Stripling pitched one-hit ball for six innings and the Toronto Blue Jays went on to beat the Detroit Tigers 6-0 Sunday.
The Blue Jays took two of three from Detroit, giving them 13 victories in 17 games. Toronto has the third-best record in the American League, trailing the East-leading New York Yankees in its division and West-leading Houston.
Just two teams in the league, meanwhile, have won fewer games than Detroit this season.
“It’s a long season,” Tigers star Miguel Cabrera said. “We’re going to keep thinking positive.”
Stripling (3-1) allowed only one hit for the second straight start and struck out four without a walk, making the most of his opportunity to stay in the rotation.
“He’s been great,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “He has given us a chance every time he takes the mound. He’s throwing strikes with all his pitches, and he’s keeping hitters off balance. When someone is not overpowering and they have to pitch, that’s fun to watch.
“I’m going to keep starting him.”
Yimi Garcia, Trent Thornton and Jordan Romano followed Stripling with three innings of one-hit relief.
Tarik Skubal (5-3) lost for the first time since April 28 and lasted just four innings, the shortest outing since his first start of the season. Skubal struck out three in three scoreless innings before giving up Guerrero’s 421-foot line drive over the left-center fence, a two-run drive and his 14th homer of the season.
“I didn’t do my job to put ourselves in a position to win a ballgame, and a series, against a good club,” Skubal said.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Cavan Biggio added RBI doubles in the four-run fourth.
“For us to get to Skubal early, that was huge,” Montoyo said.
Gurriel, who has…