The Toronto Blue Jays used the long ball and a breakout sixth inning to power past the Miami Marlins 8-1 on Tuesday night, ending Miami’s four-game winning streak at Rogers Centre.
Former Marlins outfielder Jesús Sánchez delivered the decisive blow with the first grand slam of his career, a 394-foot drive to right field during Toronto’s six-run sixth inning. Sánchez’s sixth homer of the season highlighted a dominant offensive performance that chased Miami ace Sandy Alcantara from the game.
Sánchez, who spent parts of six seasons with Miami before being traded to Houston at last season’s deadline and later acquired by Toronto in February, came through against his former club in emphatic fashion. After Alcantara loaded the bases, Sánchez turned on a pitch and sent it soaring into the seats to break the game open.
Toronto got on the board early thanks to Ernie Clement, who led off the second inning with a solo home run. The blast was Clement’s fifth of the season and his second homer in as many games. The Blue Jays added another run later in the inning before rookie Yohendrick Piñango launched a leadoff solo shot in the sixth to make it 3-1.
Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer each contributed RBI singles for Toronto, which improved to 7-10 against National League opponents this season. Springer turned in one of his best performances of the year, finishing 3-for-4 while also getting hit by a pitch.
Alcantara’s struggles continued as the former Cy Young Award winner fell to 3-4 on the season. The right-hander allowed a season high eight runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings, matching a season worst in hits allowed. He also hit four batters during a frustrating outing that extended his winless streak to six starts.
The rough night ended with boos from the crowd after Alcantara hit Okamoto on the arm immediately following Sánchez’s grand slam. Alcantara is now 0-3 with a 6.07 ERA in four career starts against Toronto, surrendering 34 hits across 26 2/3 innings.
Toronto’s pitching staff was sharp throughout the night. After Braydon Fisher tossed a scoreless first inning, rookie right-hander Spencer Miles improved to 2-0 by allowing just one run and three hits over 4 1/3 innings of relief.
The Blue Jays were without star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for a second consecutive game. Guerrero took batting practice before the contest but remained sidelined after being struck on the right elbow by a pitch during Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh.
Toronto and Miami wrap up the series Wednesday afternoon with Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (4-3, 3.23 ERA) scheduled to face Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez (3-6, 4.91 ERA).
