DETROIT — Alek Manoah won for the first time since April 5, allowing one run on five hits in six innings of a triumphant return to the rotation as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Detroit Tigers 12-2 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Manoah threw 19 first-pitch strikes to 23 batters — a career-high 82.6%. His eight strikeouts were a season high, and he didn't walk a batter.
Manoah was back on the mound after being sent down June 6 to rookie level ball after struggling to start 2023. A 2022 All-Star and American League Cy Young finalist after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts, he entered Friday 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA.
Whit Merrifield homered and drove in four runs for Toronto, which improved to 15-5 against American League Central teams, while the Tigers fell to 2-15 against the AL East.