Ernie Clement comes up big for Blue Jays in 6-4 win over Orioles

Toronto Blue Jays' Myles Straw, left, douses teammate Ernie Clement with sports drink following MLB baseball action against the Baltimore Orioles, in Toronto, Saturday, June 6, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Ernie Clement clubbed a three-run homer in the third inning and tripled and scored two innings later to push the Toronto Blue Jays past the visiting Baltimore Orioles 6-4 on Saturday.

Toronto’s second win seven games knotted the three-game homestand with the Orioles at a win apiece.

Clement’s left-field blast with two outs was his fifth home run this season for the Blue Jays (31-34).

The second baseman’s diving grab on a grounder up the middle robbed Pete Alonso of a hit in the eighth before 41,868 at Rogers Centre.

The Orioles (31-34) lost for only the second time in seven outings, and were tied for third with the Blue Jays in the American League East.

The home side increased their lead to 6-1 when Clement scored on Brandon Valenzuela’s sacrifice fly.

But Alonso hit a two-run homer in the sixth off reliever Jeff Hoffman, and Blaze Alexander ripped a solo off Mason Fluharty an inning later.

Valenzuela moved up to sixth in the order for the first time in his rookie season. He belted a double and two singles to bring his hit total to five with two homers and four RBI in his last three outings.

After Braydon Fisher opened for Toronto, Spencer Miles (3-1) pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up a solo homer to Colton Cowser and was responsible for Gunnar Henderson, who singled and scored on Alonso’s homer. Miles yielded the two hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

Louis Varland earned his 10th save striking out the side in the ninth.

Clement’s homer was off Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish (3-7), who allowed five runs on nine hits with three walks and three strikeouts over four innings.

Takeaways

Blue Jays: Manager John Schneider stated that the next couple of days of recovery and side sessions for injured starters Max Scherzer (forearm and ankle) and Dylan Cease (hamstring) will determine how swiftly they return to the rotation.

Orioles: Catcher Adley Rutschman went 0-for-4 after five RBI, four hits and a walk in the series opener.

Key moment

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. injured his right foot on a foul in the third inning. But he hung in and walked with two out, allowing Clement to smack his three-run homer two batters later.

Key stat

Guerrero has yet to hit a home run at Rogers Centre in 2026 after 30 home games. His three homers are on the road with the last in Detroit on May 17.

Up next

Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (4-4) will start the series finale Sunday. The Orioles will counter with righty Shane Baz (3-5).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press