TORONTO — Hyun Jin Ryu pitched seven solid innings in his first start for Toronto on Canadian soil, George Springer and Teoscar Hernandez homered and the Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Indians 7-2 on Tuesday night.
Ryu waited more than a year and a half to take the mound as a home player in Toronto after signing an $80 million, four-year contract in December 2019. He started once at Rogers Centre as a rookie with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013.
The Korean left-hander didn’t disappoint the crowd of 14,270, retiring the first six batters and striking out eight to help the Blue Jays win for the fifth time in six games since moving back north of the border last Friday.
Ryu (11-5) allowed two runs and seven hits, and walked none.
Right-hander Rafael Dolis worked a perfect eighth and left-hander Ryan Borucki finished with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Springer hit the 41st leadoff homer of his career against Cleveland right-hander Zach Plesac. The homer was Springer’s 12th.
Hernandez made it 3-0 before the end of the first with a two-out drive to right, his 17th.
Plesac (6-4) lost for the first time since April 20 against the White Sox, ending a streak of 10 unbeaten starts. Plesac matched a season high by giving up six runs while allowing a career-worst 10 hits. He walked none and, for the second time this season, didn’t have any strikeouts.
Springer finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Bobby Bradley and Harold Ramirez hit RBI doubles for the Indians.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: INF Cavan Biggio (back tightness) was placed on the 10-day injured list. OF Corey Dickerson (left foot) was activated off the injured list and made his Toronto debut at DH, going 0 for 4. Dickerson was acquired from Miami in late June along with RHP Adam Cimber.
Indians: Manager Terry Francona had left hip replacement surgery Monday and is doing well, acting manager DeMarlo Hale said. Francona will not return this season. … RHP Aaron Civale (sprained middle finger) threw between 30 and 35 pitches in a bullpen session Monday.
ROSTER MOVES
Blue Jays: OF Jonathan Davis was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees. Davis was designated for assignment last Friday after the Blue Jays acquired RHP Joakim Soria from Arizona. … RHP Jacob Barnes cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo. … RHP Tyler Chatwood cleared release waivers and is a free agent.
UP NEXT
Toronto LHP Steven Matz (8-6, 4.58 ERA) faces Cleveland RHP J.C. Mejia (1-6, 7.60) on Wednesday night. Matz is 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in three career games against Cleveland. Mejia went 0-4 with a 10.55 ERA in five July starts.
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