Ernie Clement swatted a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning on Thursday, powering the Blue Jays to an 11-4 victory over the Tigers in the opener of their four-game series at Comerica Park.
The Blue Jays had been shut out by Reese Olson through the first five innings, but they found their stroke in the sixth. There, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a run-scoring double that tied the game and then with two outs the Tigers walked Addison Barger intentionally to face Clement. He made them pay, clobbering a 1-0 changeup for a 396-foot go-ahead three-run blast. Clement also singled in the ballgame and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, finishing the night 2-for-4. On the season, he’s now slashing .284/.321/.392 with five long balls, 31 RBI and three swipes in 373 plate appearances.