MLB: Guardians manhandle Kevin Gausman and win 7-2 over Blue Jays

Canadian Josh Naylor hit two singles and drove in a run in the Cleveland Guardians’ 7-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

The Guardians (61-53) have won their sixth in their last seven meetings while the Blue Jays (61-52) have won only two of their last eight outings.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. saw his hitting streak come to an end at 22, as he was shut out in four at-bats.

The Blue Jays slugger had an opportunity to extend his streak when he came to the plate in the seventh inning with runners on first and second base. Trailing by three runs and with two outs, Guerrero could tie the game.

Guerrero hit a ground ball to third base, which ended the inning.

“It’s the confrontation we wanted. (Guerrero) could tie the game, said Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider. It didn’t work out in our favor. »

The Guardians’ starting pitchers limited the Blue Jays to just four runs in the three-game series. The Guardians won two of three games and held a 16-4 overall lead.

Shane Bieber (8-6) allowed two runs and eight hits in seven innings of work for the Guardians. He struck out six batters.

« ‘My heart was in my throat,' » Guardians manager Terry Francona said. “Out of respect for what ‘Vladdy’ can do, I was nervous. ‘Biebs’ has done an outstanding job. »

Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (8-9) stayed on the mound for four and two-thirds innings. He allowed five runs and nine hits while striking out five batters.

« They did a good job forcing me to throw a lot of shots, » Gausman said. We’ve faced a lot of good pitchers recently. »

The Guardians scored a run in the first, second and fourth innings before scoring two in the fifth to end Gausman’s outing.

Shortstop Amed Rosario homered in the first inning. Catcher Austin Hedges doubled the score in the second inning with a single and then drove in another run with a double in the fourth inning.

Mississauga native Naylor got the Guardians home again with a fifth-inning single to right field. Owen Miller was the instigator of the Guardians’ second point in the fifth.

The Guardians finished their day with two runs in the ninth inning against reliever Trent Thornton.