CLEVELAND — George Springer homered in the first half and Kevin Gusman scored six during a combined six-hit game as the Torono Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Guardians 1-0 Wednesday night.
Springer hit a 393-footer to left center on the 13th pitch from his at-bat off Logan Allen (5-5). That sparked elation among the rowdy Blue Jays fans, who filled much of the lower stands at Progressive Stadium.
Gusman (9-6), selected this season to the All-Star Game by Toronto, pitched seven innings, allowing four hits and no walks. His strikeout total increased to 183, the most in the American League.
Eric Swanson, Tim Maesa, and Jordan Hicks followed as Toronto pulled off their 12th shutout, hitting the most by teams this season in the major leagues.
Hicks made his 11th save, retiring the only batter he faced, Oscar Gonzalez. The Blue Jays stayed that way with their third and final wild card berth in the American League playoffs.
For the Blue Jays, Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 4-2. Mexican Alejandro Kirk from 3-1.
For the Guardian, Venezuela’s Andres Jimenez is 4-1, Gabriel Arias is 2-0. Dominican Jose Ramirez 4-0, Gonzalez 4-1, Ramon Laureano 3-0.