Blue Jays 7, Twins 3
Blue Jays 6, Twins 2: Yunel Escobar went 4-for-4 and Toronto scored five times in the first three innings en route to an easy road victory over Minnesota.
Escobar's 10th career four-hit game propelled the Blue Jays to their second straight win following a three-game losing streak. The Twins dropped to 8-23, the worst record in the majors.
Toronto scored twice in the first on Eric Thames’ sacrifice fly and Brett Lawrie’s single. The Blue Jays then broke it open with a three-run third, as Edwin Encarnacion’s fielder’s choice scored Escobar while Lawrie followed with an RBI single to center and was brought home by a Colby Rasmus double.
That was more than enough support for Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez (3-2), who allowed two runs (one earned) in seven strong innings while scattering seven hits. Alvarez walked three and struck out two.
Minnesota starter Jason Marquis (2-2) lasted four innings, surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits.
Alexi Casilla scored Minnesota’s first run on Kelly Johnson’s throwing error in the third. Josh Willingham added his seventh homer of the season, a solo shot in the sixth.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Escobar scored three times. … Encarnacion and Lawrie knocked in two runs apiece. … Toronto’s Jose Bautista went 0-for-3 to see his average dip to .177. ... The Twins lost for the eighth time in their past 10 games.