Lukes Delivers in the Clutch as Blue Jays Beat Guardians 5–3

TORONTO — Nathan Lukes lined a two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning to lift the Toronto Blue Jays past the Cleveland Guardians 5–3 on Friday night at Rogers Centre. The victory marked Toronto’s third straight win, helping them bounce back from a rough stretch that saw them drop eight of nine.

The hit came off Guardians reliever Jakob Junis (0–1) and snapped a 3–3 tie, ending Cleveland’s own three-game winning streak. Lukes drove in George Springer from third and pinch-runner Daulton Varsho from second, turning a tight game into a late Jays lead.

Springer also contributed with a solo home run in the fifth inning, while Alejandro Kirk drove in two runs with a single in the third. Toronto improved to 9–1 this season when scoring five runs or more.

Chris Bassitt got the start for the Jays, going 5⅓ innings and allowing three runs on seven hits. Brendon Little (1–0) handled 1⅔ innings of relief, and Jeff Hoffman closed it out with his seventh save in as many chances, stranding the tying runs on base to end the game.

Cleveland’s Carlos Santana homered to lead off the second and later tied the game 3–3 with an RBI single in the sixth. Catcher Bo Naylor also hit a solo homer in the fourth.

The game took a turn in the third inning when Guardians third baseman José Ramírez left with a sprained right ankle. He was hit in the back by a throw from Bassitt while running out an infield single and stumbled awkwardly over first base.

Toronto’s season record now stands at 16–16, and they’ll look to go above .500 in Saturday’s matchup.

Next Up: RHP Kevin Gausman (2–3, 4.50 ERA) takes the mound for the Blue Jays on Saturday against Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (2–2, 5.14 ERA).

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