Kevin Pillar provided the Blue Jays with a clutch hit and a stellar catch, helping lead Toronto to a 5-1 victory over the Indians on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Progressive Field.
“That’s his game,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “He plays to win, and plays like that help you win.”
The loss wrapped up the worst April for the Indians (7-14) since 2003, which was the last time the club won no more than seven games through the first month of the season.
The Blue Jays (11-12) broke through for five runs in the fourth inning against lefty TJ House, who did not record an out in the inning and picked up his fourth loss in as many starts this year. During that outburst, Danny Valencia contributed an RBI single, Russell Martin came through with an RBI double and Pillar delivered a two-run double of his own.
“They made an adjustment,” House said. “And I definitely didn’t make one fast enough to keep them off-balance a little bit. They did what they did. I just reacted a little too slow.”
Michael Brantley had three hits, including two doubles and an RBI single off Blue Jays lefty Jeff Francis in the fifth, but the Tribe’s lineup went mostly quiet. Ryan Raburn also had three hits for the Indians.
Toronto starter Daniel Norris exited after 78 pitches in three subpar innings, but he worked out of a handful of jams to keep the Indians at bay. Francis (1-0) earned the win, as four Toronto relievers combined to allow only one run over six innings.
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