Springer, Tapia lead Jays to win over Guardians in Game 1

CLEVELAND (AP) — George Springer and Raimel Tapia each drove in three runs in the first four innings against Shane Bieber, powering the Toronto Blue Jays to an 8-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday.

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (3-1) worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed one run, striking out five. The right-hander issued his first walk of the season against his 137th batter, Franmil Reyes in the fourth, after 35 1/3 innings without a free pass.

Toronto scored four runs in the second and three in the fourth off 2020 AL Cy Young winner Bieber (1-2), who gave up a career-high-tying seven runs in 3 1/3 innings. He did not have a strikeout for the first time in 86 career starts and 88 total appearances.

Tapia opened the scoring in the second with a two-run single and Springer followed with a double to left, plating Alejandro Kirk and Tapia, as the Blue Jays put five straight on base after two outs.

Rookie Steven Kwan singled in Myles Straw in the third to cut Cleveland’s deficit to 4-1. Straw had a pair of hits and two runs for the Guardians, who have won five of seven since falling a season-low five games below .500 on April 28.

Tapia and Springer added RBI singles and Bo Bichette drove in a run on a grounder in the fourth, extending Toronto’s advantage to 7-1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. recorded his 400th career hit and Kirk had three singles and an RBI.

The Blue Jays had 10 hits and drew 10 walks against five pitchers. They are 1-1 on a nine-game, 11-day road trip that continues against the Yankees and Rays.

Cleveland played its MLB-high third doubleheader -- all at Progressive Field -- and has had four home games postponed due to inclement weather, including Friday against Toronto.

BA