Guerrero and Kirk HR, Bassitt wins as Blue Jays blank Padres 4-0 to avoid sweep #Guerrero #Kirk #Bassitt #wins #Blue #Jays #blank #Padres #avoid #sweep

TORONTO (AP) — Chris Bassitt combined with three relievers on a six-hitter, and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided a three-game sweep by beating the San Diego Padres 4-0 on Thursday.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk homered for Toronto, which managed just one run in the first two games of the series. Kirk went 3 for 3, and Whit Merrifield and Jordan Luplow each had two hits.

Guerrero’s solo shot off Luis García gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning. It was his 15th homer of the season, and Toronto’s first extra-base hit of the series.

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado celebrates his two-run single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Yu Darvish and three relievers combined on a six-hitter, Manny Machado drove in the only runs of the game with a two-run single and the San Diego Padres beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0.

San Diego Padres' Juan Soto, left, celebrates his two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays with Xander Bogaerts (2) and Fernando Tatis Jr. during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Juan Soto hit a two-run homer, Joe Musgrove pitched six sharp innings to win his eighth straight decision and the San Diego Padres beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-1.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Saturday, July 15, 2023. (Mathew Tsang/The Canadian Press via AP)

Whit Merrifield and Bo Bichette hit solo homers, George Springer drove in two runs and emergency starter Chris Bassitt pitched six strong innings as the Toronto Blue Jays won for the seventh time in eight games, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman throws against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks because of discomfort in his left side.

The 370-foot drive to right was Guerrero’s second homer since winning the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Seattle. He also connected against Arizona in his first plate appearance following the break.

Kirk added a two-run shot against Tom Cosgrove in the eighth. It was Kirk’s fourth on the year.

Bassitt (10-5) allowed four hits — all singles — in six innings. He has won his last three decisions.

Tim Mayza pitched the seventh and Erik Swanson worked the eighth before Jordan Romano finished Toronto’s 11th shutout of the season.

Romano pitched for the first time since leaving the July 11 All-Star Game because of a sore back.

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