Goins blast lifts Blue Jays over Indians
Toronto remains 1 1/2 games ahead of Yankees in AL East
TORONTO — Ryan Goins can barely remember the biggest moment of his career.
Goins hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
“It’s unbelievable. Can’t even put it into words. Best feeling of my career so far,” said Goins. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I blacked out. I don’t even know what happened, honestly.
“It was an unbelievable feeling.”
The Jays lead atop the American League East remains at 1 1/2 games. The New York Yankees rode a Brett Gardner homer and a Stephen Drew two-run double to a 3-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Edwin Encarnacion had an RBI sacrifice fly in the first inning for Toronto (75-57), but was held hitless for the rest of the game to end his 26-game hitting streak.
Encarnacion’s streak was the second longest in Blue Jays history, behind Shawn Green’s 28-game roll in 1999.
Marco Estrada (11-8) pitched seven innings, striking out two but only allowing five hits. He was relieved by Aaron Sanchez, Roberto Osuna, Brett Cecil and Mark Lowe.
Osuna blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning, letting Cleveland tie the game 3-3. Lowe was the pitcher of record when Goins hit his home run, earning the win after picking up one out in the top of the 10th inning.
Catcher Dioner Navarro led off the 10th inning with a single to right field. After Kevin Pillar flew out to centre field, Goins came to the plate.
Goins put a 1-0 breaking ball from Cleveland reliever Brian Shaw over the rightfield wall and was mobbed by his teammates at home plate while the crowd loudly cheered.
Yan Gomes had a pair of home runs as Cleveland (64-67) had its six-game win streak snapped. Michael Brantley had a homer of his own in the fourth inning.