Alejandro Kirk hit a two-run homer in Toronto's four-run first inning to help power the Blue Jays to a 10-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.
Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho drove in a run apiece before Kirk turned on a first-pitch fastball from Joe Ryan for his 10th homer of the year.
Andres Gimenez tacked on a solo shot in the second inning — his sixth homer of the season — to give Toronto starter Max Scherzer some early run support.
Scherzer (5-2) gave up a pair of home runs to cleanup hitter Matt Wallner over his six-inning appearance. Wallner hit a solo shot in the fourth and added a two-run blast in Minnesota's three-run sixth inning.
Toronto answered in the bottom half of the sixth with a two-run double by Nathan Lukes and a two-run single by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who made his first start since suffering a hamstring injury a week ago.
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Scherzer gave up four earned runs, four hits and a walk while striking out five. Reliever Justin Bruihl, recalled earlier in the day from triple-A Buffalo, threw two scoreless innings before Tommy Nance finished up.
Ryan (12-7) allowed six earned runs and seven hits over five innings. He had seven strikeouts and one walk.
The Rogers Centre roof was open on a clear but breezy evening. A sellout crowd of 41,845 took in the game, which took two hours 32 minutes to play.
The first-place Blue Jays (77-55) remained five games ahead of Boston in the American League East division standings. The Red Sox edged the Baltimore Orioles 4-3.
Toronto has a 22-14 record since the all-star break. The Twins (59-72) have dropped six of their last seven games.
KEY MOMENT
Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement made a slick defensive play in the fourth inning. He slid to his left and snagged a sharply hit ball from Brooks Lee before firing a throw to first base for the out.
The play helped prevent a multi-run frame as Wallner followed with his 18th homer of the year.
KEY STAT
George Springer started in left field for Toronto for the fifth time this season. Normally the designated hitter, he moved into the corner outfield spot with Guerrero's return to the lineup.
UP NEXT
Right-handers were tabbed to meet on Tuesday night. Chris Bassitt (11-7, 4.18 earned-run average) was set to start for Toronto against Bailey Ober (4-7, 5.05).
