Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning a day after saying he was dealing with anxiety issues, and Toronto avoided a sweep by beating the Kansas City Royals 8-2 Sunday.
Jose Bautista homered and drove in a season-high four runs and Francisco Liriano earned his 100th career victory.
Osuna didn’t pitch in a save situation on Friday night, and the Blue Jays’ bullpen let a game get away. On Saturday, the 22-year-old reliever said he was out of sorts mentally and feeling anxious.
Osuna returned to the mound in a non-save spot and gave up an infield single while getting the last three outs.
Bautista hit a two-run, 450-foot homer in the fifth that tied it. He walked with the bases loaded in a five-run sixth and singled home Kevin Pillar, who had three hits, in the seventh.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. (Colin E. Braley/The Associated Press)
Liriano (4-3) allowed two runs on six hits while pitching into the seventh. He improved to 100-95 in 12 seasons with Toronto, Minnesota, the White Sox and Pittsburgh.
Reliever Scott Alexander (0-2) took the loss.
