(Toronto) George Springer drove in four runs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Saturday.
Springer hit two solo home runs, in addition to breaking the 1-1 tie with a two-run single in the fifth.
Earlier in the fifth, Edward Olivares had created the deadlock with a four-goal shot.
Springer had his first long ball game this season.
Cavan Biggio hit a run-scoring single for the Blue Jays, who began a 10-game homestand.
Visiting Monday through Thursday will be the Texas Rangers, who are chasing them for the final playoff spot in the American League.
After a win against Oakland on Saturday, Texas is in fourth place in this race, a game and a half behind the Blue Jays.
Second, the Seattle Mariners only have half a game of priority over Toronto.
“(Going to the playoffs) is the reason we play,” Springer said. It’s an exciting time of year. It may sound cliché, but we play for moments like that, to be in races to go further. »
Kevin Gausman (11-8) struck out 10 batters in eight innings, allowing one run, two hits and a walk.
Three of those strikeouts were earned in the eighth.
“Kevin is one of the best pitchers in major league baseball,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. He took care of the enclosure. »
Jordan Hicks pitched in the ninth.
Winner of the American Cy Young in 2009, Zack Greinke (1-15) allowed four runs and six hits in three and two-thirds innings.
The game was played in front of 41,443 people at the Rogers Centre.
Bo Bichette was left out, the day after his return to play after a stay among the injured (quadriceps). Just a matter of accommodating it, Schneider said.
Cole Ragans and Jose Berrios will start on Sunday.
