DETROIT (AP) — Daulton Varsho drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the 10th inning and Yohendrick Pinango homered Saturday to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Varsho lined a 1-1 pitch from Tigers reliever Tyler Holton (0-2) into center field, allowing Vladimir Guerrero to score.
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Toronto Blue Jays' Yohendrick Piñango, center, is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Detroit Tigers second baseman Zach McKinstry, left, throws to first base after forcing out Toronto Blue Jays' Yohendrick Pinango at second base during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland (2-1) pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and striking out two. Toronto used six pitchers who struck out 14.
The Tigers, who were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, had a chance to win it in the ninth inning with Riley Greene on third and two outs, but Varland struck out Colt Keith.
The first five innings turned into a showcase of pitching and defense, with both teams turning in highlight-reel defensive plays. Toronto third baseman Kazuma Okamoto bobbled a catch in foul territory before recovering to snag the ball barehanded for a remarkable out.
Greene later raced toward the line and made a sliding grab on a foul ball, preserving the scoreless duel as neither offense could break through early.
The Tigers threatened in the third when they loaded the bases with two outs, but Spencer Miles struck out Gage Workman.
Detroit got on the board in the sixth when Matt Vierling homered to left field.
Pinango evened the game at 1 in the seventh when he hit his first home run of the season on reliever Kyle Finnegan's first pitch in the game.
Tigers starter Casey Mize allowed two hits and struck out four over six innings. Mize returned from the injured list Saturday, his first outing since leaving an April 28 game against Atlanta with a right adductor strain.
Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (0-4, 5.73 ERA) was set to start Sunday against RHP Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.86).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Toronto Blue Jays' Yohendrick Piñango, center, is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Detroit Tigers second baseman Zach McKinstry, left, throws to first base after forcing out Toronto Blue Jays' Yohendrick Pinango at second base during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol believes in the “no shirt, no problem,” mantra.
His club was boosted to a win Friday night by a group of college ball players in the right-field seats who took off and waved their shirts as they sang, chanted and drew others into the fray.
Marmol loved it, so much so that he purchased tickets for shirtless revelers this weekend.
“Last night’s atmosphere was electric. Let’s run it back this weekend," Marmol said in a social media post. “I’ll buy tickets for fans who want to sit in the right field Loge and bring the energy.”
It all began when the Stephen F. Austin club baseball team called the Lumberjacks were in nearby Alton, Illinois, for the National Club Baseball Division II World Series. The Cardinals offered tickets to the team, and 17 players attended.
By the time Yohel Pozo drove in the game-winning run with a walk-off single in the 11th inning, the Lumberjacks had other fans — and even the mascot Fredbird — joining in on the ruckus.
“Whoever started that in right field, I’ll do whatever I need to do to make sure they come every game,” Marmol said Friday night. “Because that was awesome. Not only them, but everybody that showed up today. That was a fun environment.”
The “tarps off” trend — celebrating by taking your shirt off and waving it — is not new to sports, but it was to Busch Stadium.
Who knows, Friday night's fans may have accidentally created a new tradition.
The fans sang soccer chants and shouted players’ names. The stadium organist, Dwayne Hilton, played accompanying music and got everyone involved in the spirit.
The party had grown to multiple sections by the 11th inning.
“It creates an environment where, it’s not only filling this place up, it’s making it a tough place for other teams to come in and play,” Marmol said Friday. “That was pretty damn cool. I’ll sign up for that, any day.”
The Cardinals said Marmol purchased right-field tickets for both games this weekend, and all of them were snapped up by Saturday afternoon.
Game 2 of the three-game series against the Kansas City Royals began Saturday after about a 45-minute rain delay, and the Lumberjacks were back. They arrived to the ballpark in the fourth inning, following a win of their own, and immediately took their shirts off.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol looks up into the stands at fans as they cheer and wave their shirts above their heads during the fourth inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Fans cheer and wave their shirts above their heads during the fourth inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Fans cheer and wave their shirts above their heads during the fourth inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Yohel Pozo (63) is congratulated by teammate Masyn Winn (0) after hitting a walk-off single to defeat the Kansas City Royals during the 11th inning of a baseball game Friday, May 15, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn flies out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals manger Oliver Marmol walks to the dugout after making a pitching change during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
