MINNEAPOLIS — Drew Hutchison tried giving the Toronto Blue Jays the start they needed in order to get back on track. Through five innings, he did just that.
Things fell apart for the Blue Jays after that as fielding errors and baserunning miscues helped the Minnesota Twins rally for a 6-5 victory to had Toronto its 12th loss in 18 games. The Blue Jays are also 2-10 during that stretch in games decided by two runs or fewer.
"We got exposed today," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "It’s been happening a little bit lately."
Toronto led 4-1 in the sixth thanks to Jose Reyes’ two-run single in the second, a sacrifice fly by Ryan Goins in the fourth and an RBI single by Russell Martin in the fifth.
After Joe Mauer’s RBI single and Trevor Plouffe’s two-run homer in the sixth tied the score, the Blue Jays retook the lead in the seventh on Josh Donaldson’s 15th homer — his fifth in his last six games. One batter earlier, Reyes was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double on a bloop single to centre.
"I just try to be aggressive on the basepaths," Reyes said. "That’s the way I’ve been throughout my career, and why I have to slow down now? They threw me out. That’s part of the game."
Reyes’ throwing error in the bottom of the seventh allowed Aaron Hicks to reach safely in the bottom half against Roberta Osuna (1-2). Brian Dozier then singled and Torii Hunter launched a two-run double over Chris Colabello’s head in left field.
"At the end of the day, a loss is a loss, whether it’s by one run or 10 runs," Donaldson said. "I feel like right now we’re doing a pretty good job of being competitive, and you know we’re going to go out there and hopefully start winning more games."
Ryan Pressly (3-1) got two outs for the win, and the Twins overcame an early injury to starter Ricky Nolasco to win two of three in the series. A sore right ankle ended Nolasco’s bid for a sixth straight victory in the second inning, forcing him to leave after throwing just 28 pitches.
Glen Perkins pitched the ninth for his major league-leading 19th save in 19 chances.
Minnesota moved into first place in the AL Central and finished May with a 20-7 record, securing its first 20-win month since going 22-6 in June 1991. The Twins (30-19) have their most wins through 49 games since starting 33-16 in 2001.
"I’m not thinking about the rest of the season, I’m just thinking about tomorrow," Hunter said. "We’ve got Boston tomorrow, we think about that game."
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: The team placed INF Steve Tolleson on the disabled list with a strained groin and recalled INF Munenori Kawasaki from Triple-A Buffalo. Tolleson was batting .268 with three RBIs in 41 at-bats. Kawasaki had only five at-bats this season before being optioned to the minors last Monday.
Twins: GM Terry Ryan said RHP Ervin Santana faced batters and threw about 70 pitches Saturday at the team’s training facility in Florida. Santana is serving an 80-game suspension for the use of a performance-enhancing substance. …The Twins said Nolasco would have an MRI and results were expected in the next day or so.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: Toronto begins a three-game series at Washington on Monday. R.A. Dickey (2-5) tries for his first road win of the season opposite Jordan Zimmermann (4-2).
Twins: Minnesota opens a four-game set at Boston on Monday when Mike Pelfrey (4-1) pitches against Clay Buchholz (2-6). The Twins swept three games from the Red Sox last week at Target Field.
BAUTISTA BACK TO THE OUTFIELD
Gibbons said Jose Bautista will return to playing right field on Monday in Washington. Bautista has served as the Blue Jays’ designated hitter since April 21 due to a sore right shoulder. "We’ve been missing him out there," Reyes said. "He’s one of the better outfielders in the game. It will be nice to have him back."