TORONTO -- The Blue Jays pulled out a win in a marathon series finale against the Tigers at Rogers Centre on Sunday, winning, 6-5, in the longest game in franchise history.
A day after they won in extra frames, the Blue Jays did it again thanks to a 19th-inning walk-off RBI single from Jose Bautista, who hit a 1-1 offering from Rick Porcello, normally a Tigers starter who had to come in as a reliever after the bullpen was used up.
 
Bautista's single in 19th gives Blue Jays walk-off win over Tigers
 
Munenori Kawasaki singled to center field to lead off the inning, and he was moved to third on a bunt from Jose Reyes after Porcello's throw to first base was off target. With runners on the corners, Porcello intentionally walked Melky Cabrera, loading the bases for Bautista.
Bautista then came through with the single to right field, scoring Kawasaki to secure the series win and avoiding a third straight series loss for the Blue Jays.
There were several close calls along the way in extras that could have tipped the game in Detroit's favor.
Colby Rasmus made a diving catch in center field in the top of the 19th, robbing Bryan Holaday of extra bases. He also pulled in a deep fly ball from Miguel Cabrera at the wall with one away in the top of the 18th, and reliever Chad Jenkins escaped a bases-loaded situation the top of the 16th by inducing a grounder from Torii Hunter that led to an inning-ending double play.
Much earlier in the game, Detroit looked to put it out of reach as they took a 5-0 lead into the sixth inning.
But the Blue Jays put up a pair of runs in the sixth and seventh, and they added one in the ninth to knot the game at 5.
It didn't look good early for the Blue Jays as starter Mark Buehrle was chased from the game after only 3 1/3 innings, over which he gave up nine hits and five runs (two earned).
Tigers starter David Price, meanwhile, appeared to be in control through five innings, surrendering only two hits until Danny Valencia doubled with two outs in the six.
Valencia, who's had considerable success at the plate against Price over his career (12-for-17), lined a full-count cutter off of the lefty's leg, deflecting the ball into right field. Price remained in the game, but gave up a two-run shot to Dioner Navarro on the next pitch, cutting the Blue Jays' deficit to 5-2.
Toronto continued to press and made a game of it in the seventh, chasing Price after Steve Tolleson walked to lead off the inning before Rasmus singled. Price was replaced by reliever Phil Coke, who gave up RBI singles to Reyes and Cabrera, making it a 5-4 game.
Jamie Ross / MLB.com
 

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