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Matt Chapman homers as Blue Jays beat error-prone Tigers

FILE Matt Chapman
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TORONTO (AP) — Matt Chapman hit a two-run home run, José Berríos pitched seven strong innings to win his third straight decision and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the error-prone Detroit Tigers 4-1 Sunday.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette had RBI doubles as the Blue Jays have won 12 of 15 overall after they took three of four from the Tigers. Detroit is 4-7 since the All-Star break.

Berríos (8-4) allowed three hits, including a solo home run to his brother-in-law, Tigers shortstop Javier Báez. Berríos walked one and struck out six.

Tim Mayza worked the eighth and Jordan Romano finished for his AL-leading 24th save in 27 chances, striking out Miguel Cabrera to end it with the crowd of 40,298 on their feet.

Chapman opened the scoring when he connected off Tigers right-hander Garrett Hill in the second inning, his 20th of the season and fourth this series. Chapman homered twice Thursday and went deep again Friday.

The Tigers made four errors Sunday, giving them seven in the four-game series. Left fielder Robbie Grossman dropped Guerrero’s line drive in the third, Báez dropped Bichette’s pop fly in the fourth, HIll made an errant pickoff throw to first in the fifth, and Báez made a throwing error on Teoscar Hernández’s grounder in the eighth.

None of Toronto’s runs Sunday were unearned.

Báez and Berríos battled in an epic first-inning at-bat that included several deep foul drives, one into the upper deck. Báez thought he’d walked on ball three before taking a curve outside on the ninth pitch of the at-bat.

Báez cut Toronto’s lead in half with his leadoff homer in the fourth, his 10th, but Guerrero and Bichett drove in runs as Toronto chased Hill with a two-run fifth.

Hill (1-3) allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, his third straight losing decision. Hill walked two and struck out one.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Matt Manning (shoulder) is expected to be activated off the injured list to start against Minnesota on Tuesday, manager A.J. Hinch said. Manning last pitched for Detroit April 16 at Kansas City.

Blue Jays: OF George Springer (right elbow) sat for the second time in three games. Springer also sat out Friday. He started at DH Saturday.

UP NEXT

Tigers: LHP Tarik Skubal (7-8, 3.67) starts Monday as Detroit begins a three-game series at Minnesota. The Twins have not announced a starter.

Blue Jays: RHP Kevin Gausman (7-8, 3.30) is expected to start Tuesday as Toronto opens a two-game series at Tampa Bay. RHP Drew Rasmussen (6-3, 3.17) goes for the Rays.