TORONTO — Nathan Lukes provided the offensive spark and a seven-pitcher committee handled the rest as the Toronto Blue Jays shut out the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night, snapping Kansas City’s nine-game winning streak.
Lukes broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a three-run home run off Kansas City starter Randy Dobnak (2-2). It was his ninth homer of the season and all the offense Toronto would need.
After dropping consecutive games for the first time in over a month, the Blue Jays relied on their pitching staff to get back on track. Opener Spencer Miles started before giving way to Brendon Little, Chad Dallas, and four other relievers to combine on a six-hitter.
Dallas (2-1) earned his second career win, striking out four over 2 2/3 hitless innings. He came up big in the third after Little walked two batters to load the bases, getting Royals star Salvador Perez to strike out to escape the jam.
Louis Varland closed out the night, securing the final four outs for his 30th save in 31 opportunities. Varland entered in the eighth to retire Jac Caglianone on one pitch after back-to-back singles from Carter Jensen and Bobby Witt Jr. put pressure on Toronto late. He sealed the ninth after allowing a double and an infield single by striking out Isaac Collins.
The loss halted Kansas City’s longest winning streak since a 10-game run in June 2014. Dobnak took the loss for the Royals, surrendering three runs on six hits across six innings of work.
The Royals played without infielder Michael Massey, who sat out after exiting Tuesday’s contest following a hard fall on the turf.
Up Next
The series concludes Thursday as Blue Jays RHP Spencer Arrighetti (7-6, 4.73 ERA) faces off against Royals LHP Noah Cameron (8-8, 4.02 ERA).
