The Toronto Blue Jays extended their winning streak to seven games on Monday night, defeating the Kansas City Royals 5-3 at Kauffman Stadium. The victory marked the Royals’ third consecutive home loss after a nine-game winning streak.
Bo Bichette played a pivotal role in the Blue Jays’ triumph, driving in three runs with a bases-clearing triple in the third inning. Daulton Varsho added to the lead with a two-run homer in the sixth.
Yusei Kikuchi started for Toronto and was effective early on, allowing only one baserunner through the first five innings. However, he encountered trouble in the sixth, surrendering a two-run homer to Maikel Garcia. Tyler Duffey, who was called up from Triple-A Omaha earlier in the day, provided two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three batters.
Jordan Romano closed out the game for the Blue Jays, allowing a solo homer to Kyle Isbel in the ninth but securing his third save of the season.
Brady Singer took the mound for the Royals and allowed five runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out five batters but also walked three, all of whom eventually scored. Singer became the 19th Royals pitcher to reach 500 career strikeouts, tying Steve Busby as the fastest to achieve the milestone.
In the third inning, Singer’s walks to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez loaded the bases for Bichette, who capitalized with a triple to score three runs. Varsho’s homer in the sixth extended the Blue Jays’ lead to 5-0.
The Royals attempted a comeback in the sixth inning, but Kikuchi managed to escape further damage by retiring Nelson Velázquez on a grounder.
The four-game series between the Blue Jays and Royals continues on Tuesday, with Kevin Gausman scheduled to start for Toronto and Michael Wacha taking the mound for Kansas City.
