Guerrero and Kirk HR, Bassitt wins as Blue Jays blank Padres 4-0 to avoid sweep
TORONTO (AP) — Chris Bassitt combined with three relievers on a six-hitter, and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided a three-game sweep by beating the San Diego Padres 4-0 on Thursday.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk homered for Toronto, which managed just one run in the first two games of the series. Kirk went 3 for 3, and Whit Merrifield and Jordan Luplow each had two hits.
Guerrero’s solo shot off Luis García gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning. It was his 15th homer of the season, and Toronto’s first extra-base hit of the series.
The 370-foot drive to right was Guerrero’s second homer since winning the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Seattle. He also connected against Arizona in his first plate appearance following the break.
Kirk added a two-run shot against Tom Cosgrove in the eighth. It was Kirk’s fourth on the year.
Bassitt (10-5) allowed four hits — all singles — in six innings. He has won his last three decisions.
Tim Mayza pitched the seventh and Erik Swanson worked the eighth before Jordan Romano finished Toronto’s 11th shutout of the season.
Romano pitched for the first time since leaving the July 11 All-Star Game because of a sore back.
San Diego’s Manny Machado went 0 for 4 and struck out twice, ending a season-long 12-game streak of reaching base safely. Swanson struck Machado out looking on three pitches in the eighth with runners at first and second.
Padres left-hander Blake Snell extended his career-best scoreless innings streak to 22 by pitching around a pair of walks in the first, but Luplow drove in a run with a two-out single in the second.
Snell (6-8), a possible trade target ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline, allowed five hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked seven, matching his career worst.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: RHP Robert Suarez (elbow) was activated off the 60-day IL. Suarez signed a $46 million, five-year contract to stay with the Padres in November but has yet to pitch this season. RHP Matt Waldron was optioned to Triple-A El Paso, and LHP José Castillo was designated for assignment.
Blue Jays: RHP Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start at Seattle on Saturday. Gausman was scratched from last Saturday’s start against Arizona because of discomfort in his left side.
FULL HOUSE
After drawing a season-high 42,948 fans on Wednesday night, the Blue Jays broke that mark Thursday with a crowd of 43,196.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP Seth Lugo (3-4, 3.78 ERA) starts Friday as San Diego opens a three-game series at Detroit. RHP Reese Olson (1-3, 3.96 ERA) starts for the Tigers.
Blue Jays: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7-3, 4.13 ERA) starts Friday as Toronto begins a three-game series at Seattle. RHP Bryce Miller (6-3, 3.66 ERA) goes for the Mariners.
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