Blue Jays make it six in a row with late win against Tigers

The Toronto Blue Jays took the slow road to victory, but finally broke through in the eighth inning to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 in the series opener on Thursday night.

Troy Tulowitzki finally delivered the big hit with the bases loaded, singling in a pair of runners to put Toronto out front.

Drew Hutchison got his second start of the season with Marco Estrada on the 15-day disabled list (back). The right-hander pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Despite missing his spots at times, Hutchison struck out seven and walked just one.

Toronto got to Justin Verlander in the bottom of the first. Michael Saunders singled in Josh Donaldson and was quickly brought home himself by Russell Martin, who doubled on a hard line drive over the head of left-fielder Justin Upton.

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Detroit began to chip away with solo home runs from Upton in the second and Nick Castellanos in the fourth. James McCann singled home Upton later in the fourth to give the Tigers their first lead of the game at 3-2.

Stranding base-runners was an issue for the Blue Jays throughout Verlander’s start. With runners on second and third following a Darwin Barney ground rule double in the sixth and one out, Ezequiel Carrera attempted a drag bunt up the first base line. Verlander fielded the ball and threw Kevin Pillar out at home, a play that was upheld on a close video review. The Blue Jays still loaded the bases later in the inning, but Encarnacion struck out to end the rally.

Brett Cecil was first on in relief for the Blue Jays in the seventh and allowed a leadoff double to James McCann. That run eventually came around on a double-play following an Ian Kinsler single.

Jason Grilli handled the eighth inning as he and Cecil have come to make up the setup duo. Roberto Osuna then stepped in to pick up the save with a clean ninth.

J.A. Happ takes the mound for the Blue Jays tomorrow night to face Mike Pelfrey.