Sloppy defence, poor pitching plagues struggling Blue Jays as Orioles claim series opener

The Baltimore Orioles cashed in three runs thanks to sloppy defence and poor pitching from the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning to take the series opener 7-3 on Monday.

The victory was the ninth in 13 games for the Orioles (60-55), while the Blue Jays (61-53) continued to stumble with two wins in nine outings.

Toronto fell behind 3-0 but rallied for two runs in the third inning thanks to a two-run single from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. before 26,769 at Rogers Centre.

Mateo moved to second when Baltimore's Terrin Vavra walked and advanced to third after Kikuchi's throwing error on a pickoff attempt at second base.

A hard smash to Bichette knocked the Blue Jays' shortstop off balance, and his throw home to get Mateo was late.

A Ryan McKenna double to the gap in left centre scored two more for a four-run Orioles lead.

An Anthony Santander RBI single in the first frame and a two-run second-deck blast from Ryan Mountcastle in the third inning gave the Orioles an early lead.

Baltimore scored another in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Vavra. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who saw his 22-game hit streak end on Sunday, countered with his team-leading 24th homer with one out in the fifth.

Number 24 for Vladdy