Surging Blue Jays beat slumping Tigers in a matchup of 1st-place teams going in opposite directions

DETROIT (AP) — Ernie Clement and Joey Loperfido hit back-to back hit home runs in the fifth inning to help the surging Toronto Blue Jays rout the slumping Detroit Tigers 11-4 on Thursday night in a matchup of first-place teams going in opposite directions.

The AL East-leading Blue Jays have won 19 of their last 24 games, and the AL Central-leading Tigers have lost 10 of 11.

Clement's three-run home run gave Toronto a 4-1 lead and Loperfido followed with a soaring, solo shot to right field.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a game-tying double in the sixth to bring home the first of five runs in the inning. Guerrero's RBI double in the four-run seventh helped the Blue Jays pull away with a 9-1 lead.

The Blue Jays didn't let up, going ahead 11-1 in the eighth on Nathan Lukes' two-run homer.

Jahmai Jones hit a solo homer to give Detroit a 1-0 lead in the first. The Tigers didn’t generate more offense until it was too late in the ninth, when Spencer Torkeson hit his 22nd homer in a three-run inning against right-hander Chad Green.

Eric Lauer (6-2) allowed one run on five hits without a walk while striking out six in a season-high eight innings.

Reese Olson (4-4) gave up five runs on six hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings after throwing four scoreless innings. Dietrich Enns replaced him and got roughed up, allowing four runs. Geoff Hartlieb gave up two more runs in one inning after being recalled from Triple-A Toledo to replace right-hander Carlos Hernandez, who was designated for assignment.

Clement hit Olson's hanging slider over the left-field wall for a three-run homer in the pivotal sixth inning.

The Blue Jays have won nine straight series openers and are 22-13 in the first game of a series this season.

Toronto RHP Jose Berrios (6-4) and Detroit RHP Keider Montero (4-2) are the probable pitchers Friday in the second matchup in the four-game series.

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

Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement celebrates his three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement, right, celebrates his three-run home run with Addison Barger (47) against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette throws to first base for an out on a Detroit Tigers' Gleyber Torres ground ball in the third inning during a baseball game, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers pitcher Dietrich Enns throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement hits a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — John Marino scored at 4:03 of the third period to break a tie and give the Utah Mammoth a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Marino also assisted on Nick Schmaltz's 17th goal of the season and Karel Vejmelka made 26 stops as the Mammoth won for the fifth time in six games.

Mikko Rantanen scored and Jake Oettinger had 25 saves for Dallas, which has lost nine of its last 11 games.

Schmaltz broke a scoreless deadlock with 7 seconds left in the second period, tipping in a feed from Marino. It was the fourth latest goal in any regulation period in Utah's short franchise history.

The Mammoth nearly made it 2-0 just 38 seconds into the third, but Lawson Crouse had his goal wiped off the board for high-sticking.

Rantanen leveled the score with a power-play goal at the 2:04 of the third.

Marino answered two minutes later, snapping the puck home from long distance to put the Mammoth up 2-1 with his second winning goal of the season.

Utah improved to 16-1-1 this season when leading after two periods.

Stars: host Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Mammoth: host Seattle on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) shoots the puck against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, center left, fights for the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)