Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter hits a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game, May 25, 2024, in Detroit.Paul Sancya/The Associated Press
Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for a second straight game and the Detroit Tigers edged the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Saturday.
Reese Olson (1-5) limited the Blue Jays to one unearned run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings to earn his first victory of the season. He left his previous start at Kansas City with a right hip contusion after being struck by a line drive.
Olson, who was making his 10th start of the season, has also been dealing with a lack of run support in previous outings. His ERA dropped to 1.92 after delivering another quality start.
“Obviously, it was good to get a win but I don’t worry about that,” he said. “I just try to do my job every time I go out there.”
He showed no ill effects from the 102-mph comebacker that knocked him from his previous start.
“Honestly, I knew the day after (he was OK) when I was able to play catch,” he said. “It’s just a little sore but I was moving fine. I threw my bullpen fine, so it was full-go from there.”
Tyler Holton got the last three outs for his second career save and first of the season.
Carpenter also had a two-run homer in Detroit’s 6-2 win over Toronto on Friday.
Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios (5-4) gave up two runs and seven hits while striking out five in seven innings.
The Tigers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. Carpenter followed a two-out double by Mark Canha by lining Berrios’ changeup over the right-field fence. The homer was Carpenter’s eighth of the season.
Kevin Kiermaier had a one-out triple in the third but was left stranded. Toronto loaded the bases in the fifth on two singles and a two-out walk before Olson struck out Justin Turner on a changeup.
“He’s always been the same guy, which kind of impresses me,” catcher Jake Rogers said of Olson, who is in his second season. “He’s probably the most humble kid in this clubhouse. He’s just sneaking in the shadows. Always as confident as ever.”
The Blue Jays scored an unearned run in the seventh. Olson walked Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who stole second. Ernie Clement reached on first baseman Canha’s error.
Olson was removed in favour of Alex Faedo, who gave up Davis Schneider’s two-out double to score Kiner-Falefa. Shortstop Javier Baez threw out Justin Turner on a slow bouncer to keep the score at 2-1.
Kiner-Falefa had a one-out double in the ninth. He advanced to third on a fly out, but Holton struck out pinch-hitter Danny Jansen to clinch Detroit’s win.
“That’s been the story of our season,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We've got to get hits there, no matter who it is, no matter what part of the order you’re at. You've got to come through and get those hits and right now, we’re not doing that.”
UP NEXT
Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (2-4, 2.64 ERA) will oppose right-hander Casey Mize (1-3, 4.57 ERA) in the finale of the four-game series on Sunday.