TORONTO (AP) — Teoscar Hernández hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, Matt Chapman also connected and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Cleveland 2-1 Saturday, halting the Guardians’ season-high winning streak at six.
Hernández reached base twice as the Blue Jays snapped a three-game losing streak, righting themselves after an 8-0 loss Friday that followed two defeats at Baltimore.
“Bouncing back from the game yesterday is huge,” Hernández said.
Cleveland, the AL Central leaders, lost for the third time in 10 games.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extended his career-best hitting streak to 22 games with a double in the first. Guerrero has the longest active hitting streak in the majors.
Hernández and Chapman both connected off Guardians starter Triston McKenzie, who has lost three of his past four decisions. McKenzie (8-9) allowed two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.
“He kept a really strong lineup at bay,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said of McKenzie.
Anthony Bass (3-3) pitched one inning for the win as five Toronto relievers combined to pitch 4 1/3 shutout innings in relief of Mitch White.
“It lined up well after Mitch,” interim Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “Just a credit to those guys. They were all pretty much nails.”
White allowed one run and three hits. One of his three walks came around to score.
“We never really drew a bead on (White),” Francona said, “and then their bullpen is really good.”
Yimi Garcia got two outs in the eighth inning, leaving after Josh Naylor’s double, and Jordan Romano walked Andrés Giménez before striking out Oscar Gonzalez.
Pinch-hitter Will Benson reached on a one-out single in the ninth, advancing to second on shortstop Bo Bichette’s throwing error. With the sellout…