MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a three-run homer, Teoscar Hernandez homered for the second straight day and the Toronto Blue Jays cruised to a 9-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.
Whit Merrifield, who revealed earlier in the day that he is now vaccinated against COVID-19 and cleared to play in Canada, had two hits in his Blue Jays debut after being acquired from Kansas City for two players of minor leaguers at the trade deadline.
Toronto won for the 12th time in 15 games and got six shutout innings from Alek Manoah.
Manoah (12-5) allowed two runs on two hits, but tied a season-high with four walks. The first All-Star left his previous outing with an elbow bruise. He was hit in the right bicep area by a pinch-hitter in the fourth inning for Minnesota’s first hit, but stayed in the game.
Twins starter Sonny Gray also had a no-hitter working the middle innings before Cavan Biggio had a two-out single in the fifth. Gray finished after five innings, giving up just one hit but striking out a season-high five batters.
Emilio Pagán (3-5) relieved Gray and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in one inning.
Hernandez sent Pagán’s offering into the back of the second deck to left field to start a three-run sixth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Merrifield added RBI singles. Guerrero’s 22nd home run capped a six-run eighth.
Jose Miranda drove in two runs for Minnesota on a pitch and grounder. Jake Cave hit his first home run in his third game this season.
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Blue Jays: George Springer returned as designated hitter after missing three games with an elbow injury. Interim manager John Schneider said Springer was “feeling better” and ticked off a list of items the team wanted to see before putting him back in the lineup. Schneider said the injury is something the team will likely have to deal with for the rest of the season.
Twins: OF Kyle Garlick was placed on the 10-day disabled list before the game with a right ribcage contusion. Garlick was hurt when he hit the left field wall in San Diego on July 29. DE Gilberto Celestino was reinstated from the paternity list. … Manager Rocco Baldelli said Max Kepler (fractured right fifth toe) is possible back in the lineup by the weekend. … RHP Jorge Alcala had arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right elbow Wednesday and is expected to be ready for spring training next year.
UNTIL THE NEXT
RHP Tyler Mahle will make his Twins debut Friday after being acquired from Cincinnati for three prospects at the trade deadline. Mahle went 5-7 with a 4.40 ERA in 19 games for the Reds. Toronto counterattacks with ex-Minnesota RHP José Berríos (8-4, 4.96). Berríos has faced the Twins three times since the 2021 trade deadline deal, including a seven-inning, two-run start this season.