Blue Jays Notebook: Pillar's big day leads Toronto past Tigers

Ryan Young

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Blue Jays Notebook: Pillar's big day leads Toronto past Tigers image

After the Blue Jays dropped the opener of their three-game series on Friday against the Tigers, Toronto flipped the script on Detroit Saturday at Rogers Centre. 

Toronto defeated the Tigers, 5-4, to even up the three-game series on Saturday, with a standout performance from Kevin Pillar. The Blue Jays rallied back from a 2-0 deficit in the top of the first inning, piling up 13 hits, to top the Tigers and snap a three-game losing streak.

A Canadian Pillar

With the game tied 2-2, Pillar hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, giving the Jays their first lead of the game and series. The home run, Pillar's 15th of the season, continued to increase an already established career-high.

Pillar finished the game going 4-for-4 at the plate, adding three singles to his ledger, with two RBI.

But that wasn't the only way the center fielder made his presence felt. 

With two outs, Dixon Machado stepped up for Detroit with the game tied 2-2. A well-hit ball looked like it would find the wall before Pillar tracked it down, and added another web gem to his resumé.

Tepera holds off late rally

Toronto entered the ninth inning leading 5-2, a day following a late rally of its own fell just short. 

Detroit attempted to mount a late comeback of its own on Saturday, but also ran out of time, coming within a run, but not getting any closer.

With Ryan Tepera on to close, the Jays moving away from Roberto Osuna (dealing with a neck issue), Tepera flirted with danger, but limited the damage enough to secure the save, and the victory.

Though Osuna is dinged up, he's also struggled this season, with 10 blown saves. Tepera didn't sail smoothly through the ninth inning, but did do the job for the Jays.

Ryan Young