An eight-run eighth inning lifts the Blue Jays past the Twins 11-4

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kazuma Okamoto hit his third home run in two days, Brandon Valenzuela homered in an eight-run eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 11-4 Saturday afternoon.

Lenyn Sosa and Myles Straw also went deep for Toronto, which scored a season high in runs while winning for the sixth time in eight games, but saw George Springer leave with an injury.

Byron Buxton homered for the Twins for the third straight game and fifth in six outings, but the beleaguered Minnesota bullpen cost the team again.

Eight Blue Jays scored against Luis García (0-1) and Anthony Banda before an out was recorded in the eighth inning. Okamoto and Sosa had RBI singles, and Davis Schneider ended an 0-for-27 skid with a two-run double before Valenzuela’s three-run shot.

In the past six games, Twins relievers have allowed 20 runs in 20 1-3 innings.

Springer left the game in the third inning after being hit by a pitch on the left foot. The four-time All-Star came off the 10-day injured list Wednesday after fouling off a pitch and breaking his left big toe on April 11 in another game against the Twins.

Manager John Schneider said X-rays showed no new fracture.

“Just the way he reacted it wasn't like excruciating pain, so hopefully he'll be all right in a day or so," Schneider said, adding he had already planned to give Springer the day off on Sunday.

Buxton hit Minnesota’s first leadoff home run of the season — and 21st of his career — with a fly ball that landed in the flower bed in the two-row right field overhang.

Sosa and Straw went deep in the second.

Trailing 4-2, Okamoto hit a 453-foot solo home run over the bullpens in the sixth against Justin Topa. According to Sportsnet Stats, his 16 RBIs since April 18 are tops in the majors.

In seven innings, Toronto’s Dylan Cease (2-1) allowed four runs — three earned — and struck out seven. In his third career start, Connor Prielipp allowed two runs on three hits for the Twins, striking out four in five innings.

RHP Trey Yesavage (1-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his second start of the season for Toronto in Sunday’s series finale. RHP Joe Ryan (2-3, 3.76 ERA) pitches for Minnesota.

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

Toronto Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela, center, celebrates after his three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Toronto Blue Jays' Myles Straw runs the baes after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton celebrates his solo home run as he runs the bases during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer is tended to after getting hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Toronto Blue Jays' Lenyn Sosa hits a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer left Saturday’s 11-4 win over Minnesota in the third inning after being hit by a pitch on the left foot.

The incident comes four days after the four-time All-Star came off the 10-day injured list after fouling off a pitch and breaking his left big toe on April 11 in another game against the Twins.

X-rays showed no new fractures, and its not any worse than it was, manager John Schneider said after the game. He had already planned to give Springer an off day on Sunday.

Springer was hit by an 88 mph slider from Connor Prielipp and immediately went to the ground in pain. After being tended to by a couple of trainers for a few minutes, Springer gingerly walked off the field and was replaced by Jesús Sánchez.

In his sixth season with Toronto, the 36-year-old Springer is hitting .212 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 66 at-bats across 18 games.

The MVP of the 2017 World Series with Houston, Springer is in the final season of a $150 million, six-year deal with the Blue Jays.

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

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer walks off the field after getting hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer is tended to after getting hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)