Pair of 2-run HRs lift Tigers past Blue Jays

Mark Canha and Wenceel Perez hit two-run home runs and the visiting Detroit Tigers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

The Tigers, who have won three in a row, opened a seven-game road trip with the win.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer hit two-run home runs for the Blue Jays, who began a nine-game homestand.

The Tigers won three of four from the Blue Jays May 23-26 in Detroit.

Toronto right-hander Chris Bassitt (8-8) allowed five runs, seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Detroit right-hander Jack Flaherty (7-5) allowed two runs, three hits and one walk while striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings.

Detroit scored three runs in the fourth. Matt Vierling doubled into the left field corner and scored when Riley Greene extended his hit streak to seven games with a single to right. Canha hit his seventh homer of the season to left on a 1-1 changeup in the following at-bat.

Flaherty retired his first 13 batters of the game before Bo Bichette singled over first base with one out in the fifth. Bichette took second when Daulton Varsho's bloop to left dropped in for a single. Flaherty ended the threat with two strikeouts, however.

Spencer Horwitz walked with two out in the sixth and Guerrero hit a blast to left on a 3-2 slider for his 15th homer of the season. Will Vest immediately replaced Flaherty.

Detroit regained the three-run lead in the seventh. Gio Urshela singled with one out and one out later Perez hit his sixth homer of the season to right-center on a first-pitch sinker. Genesis Cabrera then replaced Bassitt.

Kevin Kiermaier led off the Toronto eighth with a single against Beau Brieske and Springer hit a 2-2 changeup to left for his 11th homer. Horwitz singled and Jason Foley replaced Brieske.

Tyler Holton pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.

Leo Jimenez replaced Bichette (right calf strain) at shortstop for Toronto in the seventh inning.

Toronto recalled right-hander Erik Swanson from Triple-A Buffalo and reinstated right-hander Yimi Garcia (elbow) from the injured list. Right-hander Zach Pop was optioned to Buffalo.

--Field Level Media