MLB: Abraham Toro homered in first start for Brewers in win

Abraham Toro wasted no time in making his mark on his first start for the Milwaukee Brewers, who defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Recalled yesterday, Toro came up to bat early in the 2nd inning with a runner on the trails. He sent Alek Manoah’s fastball into the right field stands with a slap from 347 feet. Brian Anderson had walked one before Toro’s 27th career home run.

On his second outing to Manoah in the 4th inning, sixth in the Brewers’ offensive lineup, Toro hit the trails again with a backfield single.

In the second half, however, he was struck out twice.

« It’s always a pleasure to play here, » Toro said. My family always comes to see me in Toronto, so I’m glad I achieved something special in front of them. »

Kevin Kiermaier hit a triple in the fifth inning to score Whit Merrifield and allow the Jays to close the gap to 2-1 against the leaders of the central section of the National.

Milwaukee put two runners in scoring position in the seventh inning, and Owen Miller took it upon himself to cross home plate Joey Wiemer and Christian Yelich with a double to the left to make it 4-1.

The Jays’ other point was scored by Matt Chapman following an optional from Cavan Biggio.

For the seventh time this season in 12 starts, Manoah (1-6) did not complete the fifth inning, allowing two earned runs, two hits and three walks in four innings of work. He walked a season-high 41, a season-high in MLB, and finished May with an 0-5 record.

Last year, he was 16-7 with a 2.24 GAA, finishing third in voting over the American League Cy-Young.

« Of course it’s not easy, » said the right-hander. I’m supposed to do better than that. I have to keep fighting, that’s all. Find the positive and build on it time after time. »

Julio Teheran (1-1) gave up one run and four hits over six innings in the win. Joel Payamps, Peter Strzelecki and Devin Williams finished the job, with the latter picking up a ninth save.

« He’s been great, » Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. He anticipated batting tendencies well. »

Toro was employed at third base tonight. In 43 games with Nashville at the AAA level this season, he batted .258, with one home run, 14 runs scored and 18 RBIs.

Thursday afternoon, the starting pitchers will be Freddy Peralta and Kevin Gausman.