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Sports

Escobar, Blue Jays roll past Twins

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Minneapolis, MN – Yunel Escobar went 4-for-4 with three runs scored as the Toronto Blue Jays took a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a four-game set.

Brett Lawrie and Edwin Encarnacion each drove in two runs for the Blue Jays, who have won their past two. Henderson Alvarez (3-2) gave up just two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts over seven innings.

"I felt good out there tonight and the bullpen really backed me up," said Alvarez. "Those guys have been really solid for us lately and that is always big."

Josh Willingham hit a solo home run in the loss for the Twins, who have dropped five of six. Jason Marquis (2-2) gave up six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits in just four innings of work.

"I thought we played aggressive out there tonight," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire. "We just couldn't get hits when we needed them the most."

Toronto got on board in the first as an Eric Thames sacrifice fly was followed by an RBI single from Lawrie, which scored Escobar for a 2-0 lead.

The Blue Jays plated three more in the third. Encarnacion brought home Escobar on a fielder's choice while Lawrie hit an RBI single two batters later. Colby Rasmus followed with an RBI double for a 5-0 lead.

Minnesota got one back in the third. With one out, Alexi Casilla singled and Denard Span followed with a walk. Brian Dozier then hit a grounder to short and the Jays got the force out at second, but Kelly Johnson's throw to first was off the mark and Casilla scored to make it a 5-1 game.

Toronto, though, got it back in the fourth thanks to an RBI single from Encarnacion to score Escobar.

Willingham's solo home run in the sixth, his seventh of the season, accounted for the final score.

Game Notes

Toronto took five of six from Minnesota last season...Minnesota hit into three double plays in the game...Kyle Drabek pitches for Toronto on Friday while Nick Blackburn will take the mound for Minnesota...The Blue Jays signed outfielder Vladimir Guerrero to a minor league contract on Thursday.