Lukes’s two-run single lifts Jays over Guardians

Nathan Lukes's two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning pushed the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-3 win in the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.

JOHN CHIDLEY-HILL – Nathan Lukes’s two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning pushed the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-3 win in the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.

With George Springer on third and pinch-runner Daulton Varsho on second, Lukes’ drive off reliever Jakob Junis (0-1) landed in front of Guardians right-fielder Jhonkensy Noel to the delight of the 26,087 fans at Rogers Centre.

Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman pitched the ninth inning for his seventh save, leaving Guardians on second and third. He followed a strong 1 2/3 innings from reliever Brendon Little (1-0).

Bo Naylor of Mississauga, Ont. smashed his fifth homer to straightaway centre field in the fourth inning to tie the game 2-2.

Toronto’s Springer blasted his third homer of the season to the same spot for a 3-2 advantage for the home team in the fifth inning. With two walks and a catcher interference call, Springer reached base four times.

Carlos Santana, who homered in the second inning, drove in the tying run with a one-out single to right in the sixth.

Toronto starter Chris Bassitt left after 5 1/3 innings and 98 pitches. He surrendered three runs on seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

Guardians starter Logan Allen lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on sixth hits and two walks with four strikeouts.