Blue Jays 6, Guardians 3
September 3, 2026 — Progressive Field, Cleveland
The Toronto Blue Jays delivered one of their biggest wins of the season Thursday, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6–3 to take the three-game series and pull within ½ game of Cleveland for the final American League Wild Card spot. Toronto improved to 70–71, while Cleveland fell to 70–70
Game story
Cleveland struck first in the third inning, but Toronto answered with five consecutive runs.
Sean Keys tied the game with an RBI single in the fourth before Nathan Lukes delivered the biggest blow of the afternoon: a two-run double in the fifth that put the Jays ahead 3–1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a sacrifice fly, and Jesús Sánchez added an RBI single to make it 5–1.
The Guardians briefly made things interesting with a two-run single from Austin Hedges in the bottom of the fifth, but Toronto’s bullpen shut Cleveland down from there. Ernie Clement provided an insurance run in the ninth.
Standout performers
Nathan Lukes: Two hits, including the go-ahead two-run double.
Brett Bateman: Three hits and a major contribution from the rookie.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: RBI sacrifice fly after his enormous five-RBI performance Wednesday.
Spencer Miles: Earned the win with 1⅓ scoreless innings.
Louis Varland: Recorded his 32nd save of the season.
The playoff picture
Toronto has now won five of its last six games and secured the season-series tiebreaker over Cleveland, finishing 4–2 against the Guardians. That could prove extremely important if the teams remain separated by a game or less when the season reaches its final weeks.
Up next
The Blue Jays head to Kansas City to begin a series against the Royals, with Jameson Taillon expected to start for Toronto.
Bottom line: Toronto is very much alive in the AL Wild Card race. The combination of a series win over Cleveland, a surging offense and improved bullpen work has put the Jays within striking distance of October.
