Turner’s twin blasts power Blue Jays past Royals

The Toronto Blue Jays rested all-star shortstop Bo Bichette and key relievers Yimi Garcia and Jordan Romano weren’t available, so it fell to Justin Turner to step up.

The 39-year-old designated hitter had a two-run homer in the first inning and added a solo shot in the third as Toronto held off the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Monday. Danny Jansen also had a home run for the undermanned Blue Jays.

“It’s going to be different aspects of the team that are going to get us Ws,” said Turner. “Sometimes the pitching is going to carry us, sometimes we’ve got to score more runs than them, but that’s just the nature of the game and how it goes.”

Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., drove in runs with base hits as Toronto (15-15) won back-to-back games.

Starter Yariel Rodriguez earned a no decision after he gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits and three walks, with one strikeout over 3 2/3 innings. Genesis Cabrera (1-0), Trevor Richards, Tim Mayza, Erik Swanson and Nate Pearson came on in relief for the Blue Jays, with Pearson earning his first save of the year.

Garcia and Romano rested after they pitched Saturday and Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a scheduled rest day for Bichette.

“Adding on runs and the bullpen doing what they did in a short outing for Yariel, that’s how you win consistently,” said Toronto manager John Schneider. “It’s how you win series and that’s how you win close games when your bullpen’s short.”

Kyle Isbel and Freddy Fermin each had a home run as Kansas City (17-13) dropped its thirdstraight game. Nelson Velazquez had an RBI double, while Isbel and Michael Massey each drove in a run with a single.

Jonathan Bowlan (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and three walks, striking out three over 2 2/3 innings.

The Royals opened the scoring in the first when Velazquez’s double handcuffed Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger, allowing Bobby Witt Jr. to head home. Barger, who normally plays left field, overthrew to second allowing Velazquez to reach third.