Tulowitzki homers in Jays’ debut
Troy Tulowitzki homered and had three hits in his Blue Jays debut as Toronto beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 on Wednesday night.
The five-time All-Star, who was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Rockies, went 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBIs. He scored three times.
R.A. Dickey (5-10) allowed two runs, none earned, and seven hits in eight innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season.
The Blue Jays snapped Philadelphia’s winning streak at five games and handed the Phillies just their second loss in 11 games since the All-Star break. Toronto has won nine of the past 10 meetings with Philadelphia.
Tulowitzki was cheered when he came out for pregame stretching and got a standing ovation before his first at-bat, stepping out briefly to let the noise subside. After working the count to 2-2, he struck out swinging on a breaking ball.
Starting in the leadoff spot for the first time in his career, Tulowitzki connected for a two-run home run off Jerome Williams in the third inning. The second-deck blast, Tulowitzki’s 13th, came on an 0-2 pitch and snapped an 0-for-21 slump.
Tulowitzki doubled and scored in the fifth, then hit an RBI double in the sixth before coming home on Chris Colabello’s sacrifice fly.
Of Tulowitzki’s five career hits at Rogers Centre, three have been home runs.
The two-time Gold Glove winner showed off his defense, making a strong throw from the hole to retire Andres Blanco at second in the third.
Williams (3-8) allowed four runs and matched a season-high by giving up 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings. He’s 0-6 with an 8.02 ERA in nine road starts.
Toronto designated left-hander Felix Doubront for assignment to clear a roster spot for Tulowitzki. Doubront was 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in five games.
Cincinnati 1, St. Louis 0: Jay Bruce homered and Anthony DeSclafani pitched seven innings to spark the Reds. The loss cut the Cardinals’ lead in the NL Central to 4 1/2 games over the Pirates.
Detroit 2, Tampa Bay 1: Justin Verlander outlasted Chris Archer for his first win this season and the Detroit Tigers avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1.
Cleveland 12, Kansas City 1: Corey Kluber took a shutout into the ninth, rookie Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer and had a career-high four RBI, and the Indians avoided a winless homestand with a 12-1 victory Kansas City.
San Francisco 5, Milwaukee 0: Hunter Pence doubled in Matt Duffy to break a scoreless tie in the seventh inning and San Francisco held on to beat Milwaukee 5-0.
Chicago 3, Colorado 2: Jon Lester struck out 14, one shy of his career high and the most for a Cubs pitcher in more than a decade, leading Chicago over Colorado, 3-2.
Arizona 8, Seattle 2: Welington Castillo homered twice off Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, including a two-run shot in the first inning, and Arizona won its fifth straight.