Turner’s twin blasts power Jays past Royals 6-5

Justin Turner had a two-run homer in the first inning and added a solo shot in the third as the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Monday.

TORONTO – Justin Turner had a two-run homer in the first inning and added a solo shot in the third as the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Monday.

Danny Jansen also had a home run as Toronto (15-15) won back-to-back games. Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., drove in runs with base hits.

Starter Yariel Rodriguez earned a no decision after he gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits and three walks, with one strikeout over 3 2/3 innings.

Genesis Cabrera (1-0), Trevor Richards, Tim Mayza, Erik Swanson and Nate Pearson came on in relief for the Blue Jays, with Pearson earning his first season of the year.

Kyle Isbel and Freddy Fermin each had a home run as Kansas City (17-13) dropped its third-straight game. Nelson Velazquez had an RBI double, while Isbel and Michael Massey each drove in a run with a single.

Jonathan Bowlan (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and three walks, striking out three over 2 2/3 innings. Tyler Duffey, Angel Zerpa, Matt Sauer and Nick Anderson came out of the visitors’ bullpen.

Kansas City opened the scoring in the first when Velazquez’s double handcuffed Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger, allowing Bobby Witt Jr. to head home. Barger, who normally plays in left field, overthrew to second so Velazquez could get to third.

In the next at bat, Massey hit a ground ball to Toronto shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa — starting instead of all-star Bo Bichette — who threw to a stretched out Guerrero at first. The Blue Jays challenged the umpire’s safe call, but it was upheld to score Velazquez for a 2-0 Royals lead.