Torkelson three-RBI effort leads MLB-best Tigers past Blue Jays 3-2

TORONTO – Spencer Torkelson drove in all three of the Detroit Tigers’ runs to push his team to a series-clinching 3-2 win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

After a two-run double to right centre in the first inning, the right-handed hitting Torkelson knocked in the winning run with a line-drive single to centre field off reliever Braydon Fisher in the seventh inning.

The major-league-leading Tigers (31-16) departed with their fifth win in six outings, while the Blue Jays (22-24) have just two wins in the first six games of their nine-game homestand.

Toronto reliever Mason Fluharty (3-1) took the loss after a leadoff walk to Gleyber Torres, who scored the winning run, and an infield hit to pinch-hitter Andy Ibanez.

Toronto drew even in the fourth with RBI singles from Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement, who gave his team a walk-off victory with a single on Saturday.

Detroit’s Jackson Jobe (4-0) went six innings, giving up two runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts before 36,064 at Rogers Centre.

Will Vest notched his fifth save, getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground out to end the game.  

Toronto starter Jose Berrios also lasted six innings, surrendering two runs on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

Takeaways

Tigers: Torkelson’s three-RBI outing pushed his season total to 38, one better than his output last year.

Blue Jays: Newcomer Anthony Santander returned to the starting lineup and struck out three times after missing two games with what initially was described as a sore shoulder and changed to a hip ailment.

Key Moment

After crashing into the left-field wall to take an extra-base hit away from Daulton Varsho in the first inning with two runners on, Akil Baddoo made a sliding catch on Kirk’s line drive. Baddoo then doubled off Bo Bichette at second base to end the inning.

Key Stat

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The Tigers have gone 8-0 in Jobe’s eight career starts.

Up Next

The Blue Jays have Monday off before concluding their homestand with a three-game series against the San Diego Padres.

The Tigers have not named a starter for the opener of their three-game set in St. Louis against the Cardinals on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025.