Valenzuela hits 1st MLB homer, Blue Jays set season high for runs in 10-4 victory over Twins

TORONTO (AP) — Brandon Valenzuela hit his first MLB home run, Daulton Varsho also connected and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Twins 10-4 on Friday night to halt Minnesota’s four-game win streak.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and an RBI to help Toronto win its second straight after losing the previous six.

Davis Schneider had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run as the Blue Jays set a season high in runs and matched a season high in hits. Nine of Toronto’s 14 hits were for extra bases, including seven doubles.

Valenzuela gave Toronto its first lead, 5-4, with a two-out drive off Simeon Woods Richardson in a five-run fourth inning. His homer followed RBI doubles by Jesús Sánchez and Schneider, and an RBI single by Andrés Giménez.

Varsho made it 6-4 with a leadoff homer off Anthony Banda in the fifth, his first of the season and the 100th of his career.

The Twins came in having swept a four-game series against Detroit. Minnesota is 2-5 on the road.

Joe Mantiply (1-0) struck out all three batters he faced to earn the win.

Making his debut with the Blue Jays after signing as a free agent earlier this month, Patrick Corbin allowed four runs and six hits, including two home runs, in four innings.

Ryan Jeffers hit a three-run homer off Corbin in the first, his first. Brooks Lee made it 4-0 with a leadoff homer in the third, his first.

The Twins have at least one home run in 24 consecutive games in Toronto, hitting 51 total homers in those games.

Jeffers went 3 for 3 and was hit by a pitch.

Woods Richardson (0-2) allowed five runs and six hits in four innings.

Blue Jays LHP Eric Lauer (1-1, 4.91 ERA) is expected to start on Saturday afternoon against Twins RHP Joe Ryan (1-1, 4.40).

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

Minnesota Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson reacts on the mound during fourth-inning baseball game action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer hits an RBI double against the Minnesota Twins during sixth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates as he scores against the Minnesota Twins during fourth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela, right, celebrates after his two-run home run with Andres Gimenez, center, in front of Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, left, during fourth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela (59) hits a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during fourth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

ATLANTA (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 29 points and the Atlanta Hawks used a big third quarter to blow out the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-102 on Friday night, clinching a playoff spot and the Southeast Division title.

The Hawks had not won the Southeast Division since 2021, when they ultimately advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. They have been in the play-in tournament the last four seasons.

James Harden scored 20 points for the Cavs, who are locked into the No. 4 seed in the East. Jaylon Tyson returned from a 10-game absence to start and had 15 points.

Dyson Daniels had 13 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, his second triple-double of his career. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 18 points and Jalen Johnson added 18 points and nine rebounds before sitting out the final 10 minutes of the game. The Cavs shot 26% from 3-point range.

The Hawks have won 14 of their final 15 home games ahead of the playoffs.

Atlanta led 66-55 in the third quarter, then put together a 16-0 run to push the lead to 27. It was never threatened thereafter.

The Cavs were missing leading scorer Donovan Mitchell (right ankle) and starter Jarrett Allen (right knee), as well as reserve Sam Merrill (left hamstring).

Cavs: At Washington on Friday.

Hawks: Visit Miami on Sunday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) dunks against Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye, center left, and guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson, center, drives to the basket against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, left, and forward Jonathan Kuminga, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)