TORONTO (AP) — Spencer Steer hit a tiebreaking RBI double in Cincinnati’s four-run sixth inning, and the Reds beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 on Monday night to stop a three-game slide.
TJ Friedl hit his 10th homer and finished with three hits for Cincinnati in the opener of a seven-game trip. Ty France had two hits and two RBIs.
The Reds were swept at home by Kansas City over the weekend.
“Getting swept, it’s never fun, but you move on,” Friedl said. “That’s what this team does well. You can’t dwell on the past.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 26th homer for Toronto, and Ernie Clement also went deep. Kevin Gausman (11-9) permitted four runs, three earned, and five hits in five-plus innings in his first loss since July 5.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Gausman deserved a better fate.
“Some close misses around the zone,” Schneider said. “They fouled off, it seemed, like half of his pitches.”
The last-place Blue Jays lost for the third time in four games.
Tyler Stephenson started Cincinnati’s sixth-inning rally when he reached on a passed ball by Alejandro Kirk on strike three. Friedl then singled, chasing Gausman.
Ryan Burr came on and surrendered Steer’s tiebreaking double. Jeimer Candelario struck out, but France hit a two-run double and scored on Jake Fraley’s double. All three doubles off Burr were hit to right-center.
Tony Santillan (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win in relief of Julian Aguiar, who allowed two runs and four hits in four innings in his big league debut.
“He settled in nicely,” Friedl said of Aguiar. “He was filling up the zone, he was attacking early. His stuff looked good from center field. I liked the way he was commanding his pitches.”
The Reds selected Aguiar’s contract from Triple-A Louisville so the 23-year-old right-hander could start in place of injured All-Star Hunter Greene (elbow).
Reds manager David Bell said Aguiar is likely to make another start while Greene is sidelined.
“He came in and threw strikes, didn’t back down at all,” Bell said. “He did exactly what we want to see.”
Clement hit a leadoff homer in the ninth against Alexis Díaz, who retired the next three batters to close it out.
Guerrero opened the scoring with a 430-foot homer into the second deck in left in the first.
“I looked back, that ball was long gone,” Aguiar said of Guerrero’s deep drive. “It was a good one. Glad I gave my first one up to him, great experience. Get it out of the way.”
Elly De La Cruz tied it with a sacrifice fly in the third, but Toronto answered in the bottom half when George Springer doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Daulton Varsho’s single.
Friedl tied it again when he homered off Gausman to begin the fourth. It was his 10th of the season.
ROSTER MOVES
Reds: RHP Casey Legumina was optioned to Triple-A.
Blue Jays: LHP Easton Lucas was claimed off waivers from Detroit and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Alek Manoah (elbow surgery) was transferred to the 60-day IL.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: RHP Christian Roa (sprained right shoulder) was recalled from Triple-A and placed on the 60-day IL.
Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (right calf) is scheduled to resume running this week, Schneider said. Bichette has not played since July 19.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays RHP José Berríos (11-9, 3.85 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday. Cincinnati had not named a starter.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Ian Harrison, The Associated Press
