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Instant Reaction: Daulton Varsho’s go-ahead RBI-single in extras gives the Blue Jays a 2-1 victory over Tigers
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Photo credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
May 16, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: May 16, 2026, 16:55 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays found a way to squeak out a gutsy 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon to even up the series. 
Once again, the Blue Jays’ offence struggled, registering only five hits, but Yohendrick Piñango’s first-career big-league home run, and a Daulton Varsho RBI single in the top of the 10th inning were supported by six Blue Jays relievers, allowing only one run over the course of Saturday’s contest. 
Mason Fluharty, Spencer Miles, Braydon Fisher, Tommy Nance, Tyler Rogers, and Louis Varland held the Tigers to seven hits, putting together a strong combined outing in the Blue Jays’ open rotation spot left by the decision to designate Eric Lauer for assignment. 
Miles was the “bulk guy” this time, tossing a pitching line of 3.2, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, turning in his second straight scoreless appearance, and forcing his name into the conversation to join the Blue Jays’ rotation plans. The 25-year-old 2025 Rule 5 pick has been a bright spot for the Blue Jays this season, going 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across his first 13 career outings in MLB. 
In his prior outing against the Los Angeles Angels, Miles threw 38 pitches, being almost as efficient as you can be. This time around, Miles threw 56 pitches, the most he’s ever tossed in a Blue Jays uniform. The Blue Jays are currently in a stretch where they play 17 games in 17 days, so Miles has an opportunity to continue to increase his role as injuries remain on the Blue Jays’ roster. 
After Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling opened the game’s scoring with a solo home run off Fisher in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Tigers turned to reliable reliever Kyle Finnegan to pitch the bottom of the seventh. Finnegan’s first pitch splitter was driven by Piñango on a line just over the right field wall to tie the game up, giving the Blue Jays much-needed life. 
Piñango continues to impress at the MLB level, batting .364 with one home run and seven RBIs over his first 15 games. After being sent down to Triple-A last Saturday to make room for the return of Addison Barger, Piñango was brought back a day later after Barger went back to the IL with an elbow issue. With the Blue Jays notable struggles on the offensive side, Piñango is making his case to become an everyday player in Toronto’s lineup. 
Varsho’s walk-off grand slam during their 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays last Wednesday felt like a weight lifted off the shoulders for an offence that needs to get going. On Saturday, Varsho came through in the clutch again, cashing in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with one out single in the top of the 10th inning to give the Blue Jays a lead they didn’t relinquish. 
In a left-on-left matchup with Tigers reliever Tyler Holton, Varsho drove a sinker up the middle, 104.8 MPH off the bat for his second hit of the afternoon. Varsho now holds a .253 average and has hit four home runs and 14 RBIs through 43 games this year. 
After Varland held the Tigers off the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth inning, Blue Jays manager John Schneider elected to send his hard-throwing closer out there for a second inning of work. Varland rewarded his manager’s decision, inducing two weak groundouts before striking out designated hitter Dillon Dingler on a knuckle curve ball to pick up his second win of the season.
Saturday’s outing was the first time this year that Varland completed two full innings. The 28-year-old has been one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball this season, turning in an ERA of 0.38, a WHIP of 1.18, and totalling 34 strikeouts across 23 2/3 innings of work. 
The Blue Jays will look for the series win on Sunday when they give the ball to Kevin Gausman. The Tigers will counter with right-hander Jack Flaherty. Flaherty has struggled through the regular season’s first few months, sitting with a record of 0-4, an ERA of 5.73 and a WHIP of 1.73. 
First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m. EST at Comerica Park. 
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