Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Max Scherzer sparkled over eight innings and Jhonny Peralta blasted a three-run homer during a six-run fourth, as Detroit blew out Toronto, 7-1, in the opener of a four-game series.
Gerald Laird added a two-run shot off Toronto starter Ricky Romero during the big inning as the Tigers won for the sixth time in seven games. Peralta added a fourth RBI on a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning.
Scherzer (10-9) allowed six hits, walked and fanned eight batters to win his third consecutive start.
Jose Bautista clubbed his major league-leading 41st homer of the year, connecting off Scherzer in the seventh, but Toronto lost for the sixth time in nine contests.
Romero (10-8) was charged with four hits and six runs -- three earned -- over 5 2/3 frames. It was the southpaw's first loss in his last six starts.