Bo Bichette came through in extra innings, singling home George Springer in the 12th to lift the Toronto Blue Jays past the Miami Marlins 7-6 on Saturday night at loanDepot park.
Springer, who went 3-for-6 with a home run and two RBI, started the inning as the automatic runner and crossed the plate with the winning run on Bichette’s sharp single to center off reliever Calvin Faucher (3-4).
The victory preserved Toronto’s five-game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL East race. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 12-1 earlier in the day.
Toronto starter José Berríos was sharp early, holding Miami hitless until Dane Myers’ infield single in the seventh. Berríos finished with 6 1/3 innings of four-hit, two-run ball, striking out eight. The Jays built a 4-0 cushion behind him, keyed by Alejandro Kirk’s RBI double and Springer’s solo homer.
But the Marlins clawed back in the seventh. Troy Johnston’s RBI single put Miami on the board, and Javier Sanoja doubled in another run before Bichette cut down Johnston at the plate with a strong throw from shortstop. Otto Lopez then added an RBI single, trimming Toronto’s lead to 4-3.
The Blue Jays turned to closer Jeff Hoffman in the ninth, but he couldn’t secure the win. Hoffman walked Eric Wagaman, and pinch-runner Derek Hill promptly stole second. Sanoja drove him in with a single to right, tying the game 4-4 and forcing extras.
The teams traded runs in the 10th and 11th innings. In the top of the 11th, Miami had two on with no outs, but Myers popped up a bunt attempt and Lopez grounded into a double play, squandering a golden chance.
Toronto’s bullpen held firm late. Tommy Nance (1-0) worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and Brandon Little earned his first career save with a perfect 12th.
Marlins starter Janson Junk departed in the sixth inning with discomfort in his throwing arm after allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out three and walked one.
Bichette’s throw to the plate in the seventh erased Johnston and kept Toronto in front, halting Miami’s momentum before the late-inning rally.
The Blue Jays stranded 10 runners, while the Marlins left nine aboard in the back-and-forth contest. The series concludes Sunday as Toronto sends RHP Kevin Gausman (8-9, 3.78 ERA) to the mound against Miami’s RHP Eury Pérez (5-3, 3.48 ERA).
