TORONTO — Nathan Lukes hit a three-run homer and seven Toronto pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout as the Blue Jays blanked the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday at Rogers Centre.
The Royals threatened in the eighth inning as Tyler Rogers gave up two hits to put runners on the corners. Closer Louis Varland came on and needed one pitch to get the final out before working the ninth inning for his 30th save.
Toronto (65-69) has won 17 of its last 28 games to get back into the American League wild-card race. The Blue Jays remained three games behind the Cleveland Guardians, who beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 earlier in the day.
The Royals (59-75) had their nine-game winning streak come to an end.
George Springer and Jesus Sanchez hit back-to-back singles to open the fourth inning against Royals starter Randy Dobnak (2-2). After Kazuma Okamoto hit into a fielder’s choice, Lukes tagged a 1-0 change-up for his ninth homer of the season.
It was Toronto’s first home run since Lukes went deep last Saturday in a 4-3 road win over the New York Yankees.
Reliever Chad Dallas (2-1) earned the win as Toronto used a bullpen game in front of a sellout crowd of 42,323. Opener Spencer Miles allowed two hits over two-plus innings.
Takeaways
Blue Jays: Toronto’s relievers came through in a game the Blue Jays needed. Dallas, the third Blue Jays pitcher to see action, didn’t allow a hit over 2 2/3 innings.
Royals: Had chances late but couldn’t deliver. Kansas City put two runners on in the ninth inning but Varland struck out Isaac Collins to end it.
Key moment
Dallas came on in the third inning with two outs and the bases loaded and fanned Royals cleanup hitter Salvador Perez on three swinging strikes.
Key stat
The Royals have won their last four series against the Blue Jays. The teams will meet again next week for a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.
Coming up
Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-6, 4.73) was scheduled to start for Toronto on Thursday night in the rubber game of the three-game series. Left-hander Noah Cameron (8-8, 4.02) was tabbed to start for the Royals.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2026.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
