Josh Donaldson, left, and Ezequiel Carrera celebrate their victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Toronto Blue Jays hitters couldn't have asked for a better matchup when they stepped into the batter's box against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Staring back at them was Chris Young, the Royals beleaguered starter who has surrendered the most home runs in baseball this season.
For the big-hitting Blue Jays, who rank second to only Baltimore in home runs, it was a match made in heaven. Toronto went yard four times in the first three innings, twice thanks to reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson, and drove Young from the game early on their way to an 8-3 victory at Rogers Centre.
"I think it just speaks for me being ready coming to the plate and having a plan," said Donaldson, who has 22 home runs on the season.
Ezequiel Carrera and Troy Tulowitzki also homered for the Blue Jays, who won their fourth in a row and will go for a three-game sweep of the Royals on Wednesday.
Young was saddled with the loss, and saw his home run total balloon to 26 on the season.
"It's been as frustrating as anything I've experienced in my career from a performance standpoint," said Young, who lasted 2 1/3 innings. "Physically and mentally I've done everything I can to prepare when I go out there but the results aren't there. It's beyond frustrating."
R.A. Dickey earned the win for Toronto. The veteran knuckleballer pitched seven innings and improved his record to 6-9. Dickey gave up a two-run homer to Cheslor Cuthbert, but that's as much action as the Royals' bats could muster against the 41-year-old.
After Dickey struck out the side in the first, Toronto's offense immediately went to work on Young when Donaldson hit a solo shot to dead centre field to spot the Blue Jays an early 1-0 lead. Carerra and Donaldson then went back-to-back in the third before Tulowitzki put the game out of reach with a three-run shot in the same inning.
Three Blue Jays were named American League All-Stars during the contest. Donaldson was chosen along with slugger Edwin Encarnacion and starting pitcher Marco Estrada. Outfielder Michael Saunders still has a chance to make the team on a final fan vote, which takes place Friday.
After wrapping their series against the Royals Wednesday, the Blue Jays continue their 11-game homestand with a four-game set against the Detroit Tigers starting Thursday.