Jonny Gomes drives in four runs to lead Braves past Blue Jays 5-2

TORONTO – Jonny Gomes drove in four runs to as the Atlanta Braves beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Gomes brought home three runs on a double and another with a sacrifice fly as Atlanta (8-4) took two-of-three from Toronto (6-7). The Blue Jays dropped to 2-5 on their 10-game homestand.

Atlanta right-hander Shelby Miller (2-0) got the win, allowing two runs and five hits over six innings while striking out six and walking three.

Toronto native Russell Martin delivered the big blow off Miller, a two-run double in the sixth, and threw out two Braves baserunners to delight the Rogers Centre gathering of 44,794.

Toronto rookie left-hander Daniel Norris (1-1) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits with two walks and a strikeout over just 2 2/3 innings.

Left-hander Jeff Francis of North Delta, B.C., whose contract was added from triple-A Buffalo earlier Sunday, started the fifth to become the 22nd Canadian to play for Toronto. The 10-year veteran pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits while fanning three and walking two before giving way to right-hander Roberto Osuna.

Gomes put Atlanta ahead 3-0 in the first with a two-out, bases-loaded double off Norris. The Jays starter gave up a leadoff single to outfielder Cameron Maybin, who was hitting just .115, and allowed four hits to the seven batters he faced.

Toronto lost leadoff hitter Devon Travis (left rib contusion) in the first inning. Hit by a pitch, Travis left after diving back to first on a pickoff and was replaced by Steve Tolleson. Travis is listed as day to day.

Atlanta added two more runs in the third. Chris Johnson’s run-scoring single scored Freddie Freeman, who walked. Freeman came home on a throwing error by centre-fielder Dalton Pompey.

Gomes’ sacrifice fly then scored Johnson and chased Norris, who was replaced by right-hander Marco Estrada.

Martin got Toronto on the scoreboard in the sixth, scoring Jose Bautista (walk) and Edwin Encarnacion (single). But after walking Justin Smoak, Miller retired Kevin Pillar (flyout) to end the threat.

Left-hander Andrew McKirahan replaced Miller to start the seventh and retired the two batters he faced before right-hander Cody Martin came on. Right-hander Jason Grilli retired the three Toronto hitters he faced in the ninth for his sixth save.