Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first career grand slam, a 441-foot drive toward the bushes at Comerica Park that helped the Toronto Blue Jays rally for a 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.
Guerrero's home run erased a 5-1 deficit in the fifth, and Brandon Drury added a two-run shot an inning later to put Toronto ahead. Niko Goodrum and John Hicks went deep for the Tigers, who are 7-33 since the start of June.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first career grand slam, a 441-foot drive toward the bushes at Comerica Park that helped the Toronto Blue Jays rally for a 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.
Wilmer Font (2-0) came on in the bottom of the fourth and gave up a two-run homer to Hicks that put the Tigers up by four, but Gregory Soto (0-4) gave away the advantage quickly. Toronto loaded the bases in the fifth, then Guerrero hit his home run a bit to the left of straightaway center. It was the ninth homer of the season for the rookie slugger, who had three hits in a win Friday and two more on Saturday.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: Jacob Waguespack (1-0) takes the mound Sunday when Toronto tries for a three-game sweep.
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Goodrum's two-run homer in the second gave Detroit a 3-1 lead, but a 59-minute rain delay in the fourth knocked out both starting pitchers.
Toronto Blue Jays' Brandon Drury hits a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Detroit. (AP PhotoDuane Burleson)
Wilmer Font (2-0) came on in the bottom of the fourth and gave up a two-run homer to Hicks that put the Tigers up by four, but Gregory Soto (0-4) gave away the advantage quickly. Toronto loaded the bases in the fifth, then Guerrero hit his home run a bit to the left of straightaway center. It was the ninth homer of the season for the rookie slugger, who had three hits in a win Friday and two more on Saturday.
Drury's homer gave the Blue Jays the lead, and the Tigers didn't score again off the Toronto bullpen. Ken Giles struck out three in the ninth for his 14th save in 15 chances.
Detroit has lost 27 of its last 30 home games that were played to completion. There was a suspended game May 19 — and the Tigers were losing that one, too.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Gregory Soto walks around the mound after giving up a grand slam to Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Detroit. (AP PhotoDuane Burleson)
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: Before the game, Detroit put RHP Spencer Turnbull on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with an upper back strain. The Tigers recalled Soto from Triple-A Toledo. ... RHP Michael Fulmer, out for the season after elbow reconstruction, was in the clubhouse before the game. He said he wanted to pay his teammates a visit, but he's still just trying to build strength while recovering from his injury. Fulmer said he might be able to play catch in October or November.
UP NEXT
Toronto Blue Jays' Brandon Drury celebrates with Teoscar Hernandez (37) after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Detroit. (AP PhotoDuane Burleson)
Blue Jays: Jacob Waguespack (1-0) takes the mound Sunday when Toronto tries for a three-game sweep.
Tigers: Had not announced a starter for the series finale.
Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister
Detroit Tigers' grounds crew work to cover the field during a thunderstorm during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Detroit. (AP PhotoDuane Burleson)
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Detroit Tigers' Jordy Mercer, left, and Harold Castro watch from the dugout during the ninth inning of a 7-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game, Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Detroit. (AP PhotoDuane Burleson)