Sanchez, Blue Jays beat Royals in ALCS rematch
TORONTO --Aaron Sanchez pitched eight one-run innings, Darwin Barney and Josh Donaldson hit two-run singles in a five-run seventh inning and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Monday night.
Sanchez (9-1) has not lost since April 11 held the Royals to three hits, including a home run by Kendrys Morales, one walk and struck out three as the Blue Jays (46-39) won their third straight game..
Eric Hosmer hit his 13th homer of the season for the Royals with two out in the ninth against left-handed reliever Brett Cecil.
Edinson Volquez (7-8) allowed four hits, three walks and four runs in six-plus innings as the Royals (43-39) lost their second game in a row and dropped to 16-28 on the road. The right-hander struck out five and hit a batter. .
It was the first times the teams had met since the 2015 American League Championship Series, which the Royals took in six games before going on to defeat the New York Mets in the World Series.
The Royals tied it at 1-1 when Morales led off the seventh with his 15th homer of the season, and the Royals' second hit of the game, a drive to right center on a 3-2 fastball.
Russell Martin opened the bottom of the seventh with a walk and Troy Tulowitzki singled him to second.
After Pillar's bunt down the third-base line trickled foul, Volquez hit the Blue Jays center fielder with a pitch to load the bases with none out.
Luke Hochevar replaced Volquez and walked Devon Travis to force in the go-ahead run. Darwin Barney followed with a two-run single.
Ezequiel Carrera sacrificed the runners to second and third. Josh Donaldson hit a two-run single and Toronto led 6-1.
Peter Moylan pitched the eighth inning for Kansas City.
The Blue Jays scored without a hit in the first inning.
Volquez walked both Carrera and Donaldson before Encarnacion's grounder to third forced Donaldson at second and moved Carrera to third.
Carrera scored when Michael Saunders grounded out to shortstop.
Encarnacion led off the bottom of the fourth with the first hit of the game by either team. Tulowitzki and Pillar singled with two out, but Encarnacion was thrown out at home by left fielder Alex Gordon on Pillar's hit.
A two-out single in the fifth by Cheslor Cuthbert gave the Royals their first hit of the game.
NOTES: Toronto RHP Marco Estrada (sore back) had an MRI on Sunday that showed no significant change in his back, then had an injection Monday and is expected to make his scheduled start on Thursday. Back pain limited Estrada's start Saturday against Cleveland to five innings. If Estrada is unable to compete, RHP Drew Hutchison is the first choice to replace him. Hutchison was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to fortify the bullpen after the 19-inning loss to Cleveland on Friday. ... Royals RHP Yordano Ventura (ankle sprain), who was forced from his loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning Sunday, said his ankle had improved and the possibility remains that he could start as scheduled on Friday. ... Royals RHP Chris Young (2-7, 6.24 ERA) will face Blue Jays RHP R.A. Dickey (5-9, 4.21 ERA) Tuesday in the middle contest of the three-game series.