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 The hats were thrown on the field by Blue Jays fans -- the
traditional hockey tribute when a player scores three goals -- after
Encarnacion hit his third home run of the game and third grand slam
of the season in the seventh inning.
The three home runs gave him nine RBIs, equaling the club record set
in 1977 by third baseman Roy Howell against the New York Yankees. He
also extended his hitting streak to 24 games -- the longest active
streak in the majors.
Encarnacion admitted he did not know what the hat throwing meant
until reserve catcher Dioner Navarro explained it.
"Navarro told me after they threw all the hats to the field, he told
me when they score three goals, I think they do that," Encarnacion
said.
"It made me feel happy. I'm maybe going to sign them and give them
back to their owners for appreciation for throwing them on the
field."
When he came to bat against right-hander Alex Wilson, the designated
hitter said he was not thinking about belting a third home run.
"I was never thinking about that, I was just thinking about taking a
good AB (at-bat) and looking for my pitch," Encarnacion said. "It
was a fastball, outside. It's right on the middle, good swing."
Blue Jays right-hander Drew Hutchison (13-2) allowed six hits and
one run while striking out seven over seven innings to earn his
fifth straight victory.
"The fans throwing the hats on the field was probably one of the
coolest things I've ever seen," Hutchison said. "That was
unbelievable. That was just fun to be a part of."
The win ensured the Blue Jays (73-56) maintained a 1 1/2-game lead
over the second-place New York Yankees in the American League East.
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Catcher Russell Martin also homered for Toronto and left fielder Ben
Revere matched a career-high with four hits.
Second baseman Ryan Goins and third baseman Josh Donaldson each
added three hits for the Blue Jays, who have won the first two
contests of the three-game series.
Tigers right-hander Buck Farmer (0-3) allowed six runs (five
earned), eight hits and two walks in four innings.
"This one sticks with you," said Wilson, who entered in the seventh
to face Encarnacion after left-hander Tom Gorzelanny loaded the
bases.
"Any time the game goes the way it did today and you just get beat
in every aspect of the game. That one, it hurts."
(Compiled by John O'Brien)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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