Major League Baseball

Tellez hits two solo HRs as Blue Jays beat Orioles 3-2

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:08 p.m. ET

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto rookies have made a habit of hitting home runs in bunches this season.

On Wednesday night, it was Rowdy Tellez's turn.

Tellez hit two solo shots, Jacob Waguespack pitched six shutout innings and the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2.

Billy McKinney also homered as the Blue Jays denied Baltimore a third road series win north of the border. The Orioles won two of three at Toronto from April 1-3, then again from July 5-7, two of their four road series wins this season.

Tellez, who hit his 20th and 21st homers, is the fourth rookie in Blue Jays history to hit 20 or more home runs. The others were Eric Hinske (24 in 2002), J.P. Arencibia (23 in 2011) and Fred McGriff (20 in 1987).

"It's pretty special, one of those things people dream of and work hard to do," Tellez said of reaching 20.

Tellez hit a leadoff drive against right-hander Gabriel Ynoa (1-10) in the fourth, then followed up with an opposite-field shot off left-hander Paul Fry to begin the sixth.

It was Tellez's third career multihomer game, and the 11th this season by a Blue Jays rookie, extending Toronto's major league record.

McKinney got Toronto started with the first leadoff home run of his career, lining Ynoa's second pitch of the game over the wall in right. The homer was McKinney's 12th.

Ynoa is winless since a July 17 victory over Washington. He allowed two runs and four hits in four innings.

"He wasn't feeling great going into the game," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "I thought he did a great job only allowing a couple of solo homers. He kept it right there for us."

Speaking through a translator, Ynoa downplayed his soreness.

"It's normal," he said. "It's just one of those days where maybe you don't feel 100 percent."

Baltimore's 18-game streak with at least one home run came to an end. The Orioles fell two games shy of matching the 1998 club record.

Waguespack (5-5) allowed four hits, all singles, to win for the first time since Aug. 16 against Seattle, snapping a streak of four losing decisions.

"It was a gutsy performance because he didn't have good stuff," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said.

Baltimore's Trey Mancini went 0 for 3 with a walk, halting his 11-game hitting streak. Mancini said Waguespack relied on surprise, and superior location, to keep the Orioles off the scoreboard.

"He did a really good job of locating and mixing his pitches," Mancini said. "You never really knew what he was going to throw. He wasn't afraid to throw anything in any count."

Jason Adam worked the seventh before the Orioles broke through against rookie Jordan Romano in the eighth, scoring their first run on Rio Ruiz's RBI groundout. Wilmer Font came on with the bases loaded and walked DJ Stewart on four pitches to make it a one-run game, then got Chris Davis to fly out to end the threat.

"We had our chances late in the game and just didn't quite get the big hit," Hyde said.

Baltimore produced 21 total runs Monday and Tuesday, scoring 10 or more in back-to-back games for the second time this season, but couldn't keep it going in the finale.

Toronto closer Ken Giles struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 22nd save in 23 opportunities.

ADDING ARMS

After Toronto relievers combined to work 20 innings over the previous two games, the Blue Jays recalled RHP Yennsy Diaz from Double-A New Hampshire and selected RHP Ryan Dull. To make room on the 40-man roster, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (appendectomy) was moved to the 60-day injured list. Blue Jays relievers tossed 11 innings in a 15-inning win Monday, then worked all nine innings Tuesday after LHP Anthony Kay (back) was scratched.

TWO FOR TELLEZ

Tellez also hit two homers May 21 against Boston and June 19 against the Angels. All three of his multihomer games came at home.

HIT PARADE

The Blue Jays won with fewer hits than their opponent for the 10th time this season.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Toronto is 18-23 in one-run games while Baltimore dropped to 11-21.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (concussion) missed his sixth straight game. Bichette left last Thursday's game at Baltimore after being hit on the helmet by a pitch. He played catch and hit off a tee Wednesday, his first action since being hit. If Bichette plays again this season, it's expected to be as the DH in Sunday's season finale against Tampa Bay.

UP NEXT

Orioles: Baltimore is off Thursday. RHP Asher Wojciechowski (3-8, 5.31) starts Friday as the final series of the season begins in Boston. Wojciechowski is 1-1 with a 5.89 in four September starts after going 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in August. The Red Sox have not named a starter.

Blue Jays: Toronto is off Thursday before hosting the Tampa Bay Rays in a season-ending series that begins Friday. RHP T.J. Zeuch (1-1, 4.58) starts for the Blue Jays. The rookie has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his four outings. The Rays have not named a starter.