Second-inning rally leads Blue Jays past Guardians

George Springer, Addison Barger and Spencer Horwitz all had RBI singles in a second-inning rally as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-0 on Saturday.

TORONTO – George Springer, Addison Barger and Spencer Horwitz all had RBI singles in a second-inning rally as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-0 on Saturday.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa added an RBI single in the fourth for the Blue Jays (34-36) and Daulton Varsho drove in another run in the fifth.

Relief pitcher Trevor Richards was Toronto’s “opener,” allowing just a hit and getting one strikeout over 2 1/3 innings as the Blue Jays still haven’t found a fifth pitcher for their starting rotation.

Relievers Tim Mayza, Zach Pop of Brampton, Ont., Bowden Francis, Genesis Cabrera and Nate Pearson preserved the shutout. Francis (3-2) earned the victory.

Carlos Carrasco (2-6) allowed five runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out two over five innings for Cleveland (44-24).

Tim Herrin and Pedro Avila combined for three innings of scoreless ball out of the Guardians bullpen.

A rally in the second inning gave Toronto a 3-0 lead.

Justin Turner started the frame with a walk and Varsho put runners in scoring position with a double to right field. Springer’s basehit scored Turner and advanced Varsho. Barger then hit a no-out single to centre to cash in Varsho.