Gausman pitches 7 innings for first win as Blue Jays cool off Dodgers with 3-1 win

TORONTO (AP) — Kevin Gausman pitched seven solid innings for his first victory of the season, and the Toronto Blue Jays stopped the Los Angeles Dodgers' six-game win streak with a 3-1 victory on Sunday.

Alejandro Kirk went 3 for 3 for Toronto, hitting his first homer of the season in the second. He was mired in an 0-for-11 slide coming into the day.

The Blue Jays had lost a season-high five straight games.

Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a deep drive to center field in his first at-bat against Gausman, but Toronto’s Daulton Varsho made a leaping catch on the warning track before slamming into the fence.

Blue Jays right fielder George Springer made a sensational diving catch on Andy Pages’ liner for the first out of the ninth.

Freddie Freeman hit a solo homer for the Dodgers, his second, but Los Angeles couldn’t complete back-to-back sweeps. The NL West leaders won three straight at Washington last week before crossing the border into Canada.

Varsho and Isiah Kiner-Falefa had run-scoring groundouts for the Blue Jays, who improved to 4-12 when scoring three or fewer runs.

Gausman (1-3) allowed five hits, including Freeman’s two-out homer in the sixth. The right-hander struck out five and walked none.

Yimi García walked ninth-place hitter Austin Barnes to begin the eighth, and Mookie Betts followed with a double. García got Ohtani to pop up and Freeman was walked intentionally to load the bases before Teoscar Hernández struck out.

Left-hander Tim Mayza came on and retired Max Muncy on a fly ball to the warning track in right-center.

Jordan Romano worked the ninth for his fourth save in four chances.

Right-hander Michael Grove (0-1) opened for the Dodgers and exited after allowing three runs and three hits in the second, including Kirk’s two-out homer.

The three-run frame gave the Blue Jays their first lead since the fifth inning of Tuesday’s loss at Kansas City. For the Dodgers, it marked the first time they had trailed by multiple runs since a 6-4 loss to the Mets on April 20.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: LHP James Paxton (2-0, 2.61 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday as Los Angeles opens a three-game series at Arizona.

Blue Jays: RHP Yariel Rodríguez (0-1, 3.86 ERA) is expected to start Monday as Toronto hosts Kansas City.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove reacts as Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk rounds the bases on a solo home run during second-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani starts up the base path after hitting a line drive to second base during fourth-inning baseball game action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Justin Turner, center, crosses the plate to score against the Los Angeles Dodgers during second-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, reacts as he hits himself with a foul ball as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, left, looks on during sixth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, reacts as he hits himself with a foul ball as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, left, looks on during sixth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk celebrates after his solo home run as he crosses the plate during second-inning baseball game action against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman works against the Los Angeles Dodgers during first-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a line drive to second base during fourth-inning baseball game action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk hits a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during second-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman works against the Los Angeles Dodgers during first-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

ATLANTA (AP) — Zack Short made the most of his first start with Atlanta by breaking a scoreless tie with a run-scoring double in the sixth and the Braves spoiled another strong start by Chicago rookie Shota Imanaga to beat the Cubs 2-0 on Monday night.

Short, who filled in at third base while Austin Riley was held out with tightness in his left side, lined a pitch from right-hander Hayden Wesneski (2-2) into the right field corner to drive in Travis d'Arnaud, who doubled with two outs.

“Big. That was great,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Short.

Ronald Acuña Jr. followed with a single to left field to drive in Short for a 2-0 lead.

Imanaga threw five scoreless innings, extending his team record to eight consecutive starts to begin his career without allowing more than two runs. Imanaga stranded two baserunners in the second and third innings and left the bases loaded in the fourth.

“I would say the quality of my fastball was good,” Imanaga said through a translator. “However, knowing the quality of the Braves offense, I was being a little careful. I would have liked to have gone another inning.”

Imanaga had eight strikeouts and lowered his majors-leading ERA to 0.96 despite giving up seven hits with three walks.

“They extended some at-bats on him and he fell behind more often than we’ve seen but it’s still five zeroes,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He definitely gave us a chance to win.”

Counsell was ejected in the fourth inning soon after first base umpire Junior Valentine ruled Acuña successfully checked his swing with two outs and the bases loaded. Imanaga escaped the jam on Acuña's fly ball to right field.

It was Counsell's 29th ejection of his career and first with the Cubs.

Braves right-hander Reynaldo López threw five scoreless innings while giving up two hits and two walks. López's outing was shortened by back tightness but he is not expected to miss a start.

Left-hander Ray Kerr (1-0) recorded three strikeouts in two perfect innings. A.J. Minter pitched the ninth, stranding two baserunners, to earn his first save in four chances, one day after a blown save in a 4-3 loss at the New York Mets.

Acuña, who was picked off first base twice in Sunday's loss at the Mets, was picked off by Imanaga following a first-inning walk.

“What can I say? I was definitely caught by surprise,” Acuña said through a translator. “There's no excuse for it. Those are missed opportunities for the team and something I have to get better at.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cubs: RHP Adbert Alzolay was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. RHP José Cuas was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Alzolay is 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA and has four saves in nine opportunities. ... OF David Peralta opted out of his minor league contract to become a free agent. ... Counsell had no update on Christopher Morel, who was replaced by pinch-runner Pete Crow-Armstrong after drawing a walk in the ninth and then showing discomfort in the batter's box.

Braves: Snitker said a MRI showed only inflammation in Riley's left side. Snitker said Riley will have more treatment on Tuesday but is not expected to spend time on the IL. Short made his first start for Atlanta four days after he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox.

UP NEXT

Braves LHP Chris Sale (5-1, 2.95) will face Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (3-0, 1.13) on Tuesday night. Sale is 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA in five career games, including three starts, in his career against Chicago.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) fields a ground ball hit by Atlanta Braves' Adam Duvall in the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs' Cody Bellinger strikes out in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. fields a ball hit for a single by Chicago Cubs' Mike Tauchman in the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II makes a running catch to retire Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki in the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga reacts after recording the final out in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., left, and Marcell Ozuna celebrate after defeating the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves first base Matt Olson reaches over the dugout railing to catch a foul ball and retire Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs' Christopher Morel, center, leaves the field after being injured while batting in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López delivers to a Chicago Cubs batter in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López delivers to a Chicago Cubs batter in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga works in the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch is tagged out by Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia as he tries to stela second base in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, May 13, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)