By MATT PIKE
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez drove in two runs apiece as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, ending the Royals final homestand of the season, and clinching a playoff berth.
Toronto is the first team in the American League to secure a spot in the playoffs, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2023, and improved its AL-best and AL East-leading record to 90-66.
The Blue Jays scored three runs in the second inning on run-scoring hits by Gimenez, Tyler Heineman and George Springer. Guerrero hit a two-run double in the fifth and Addison Barger followed with an RBI double to give Toronto a 6-2 lead.
Carter Jensen had a two-run double in the fourth inning, Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez hit consecutive run-scoring singles in the fifth and Randal Grichuk picked up an RBI in the sixth to complete Kansas City’s scoring.
After the Royals cut their deficit to 6-5, Ernie Clement and Gimenez had RBI hits in the eighth to extend Toronto’s lead to 8-5.
Michael Wacha took the loss for the Royals, falling to 9-13 on the season, giving up six earned runs on eight hits in five innings with one walk and four strikeouts. At the plate, Garcia was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mike Yastrzemski was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
Kansas City now heads to Los Angeles to face the Angels starting on Tuesday. Cole Ragans (2-3, 5.16 ERA) is set to start for the Royals against Sam Aldegheri (0-0, 10.38 ERA) for the Angels. First pitch is at 8:38pm, pregame starting at 8 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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