Blue Jays' blue collar boys grind out a win versus the Tigers

Game on the line, the Blue Jays turned to Alejandro Kirk Saturday afternoon. After working the count full, Kirk fouled off two pitches then shot the ninth pitch of the at-bat into right field for a single to score Ernie Clement and tie the game 1-1.

After a Daulton Varsho double, John Schneider decides to pinch hit for George Springer with Anthony Santander. A.J. Hinch puts up four fingers so that Ernie Clement would have to face Brenan Hanifee and Ern Dog made him pay.

Thanks to Kirk and Clement, the Blue Jays got just enough offence on a day Anthony Santander was out of the starting lineup with a hip issue.

A ninth-inning double from Daulton Varsho was essential to the Blue Jays' 12th comeback win of the season, too.

But it was the pitching staff that deserves much of the credit in this one as six Blue Jays combined to limit the Tigers to just one run on four hits.

First, Eric Lauer limited the Tigers to one run - a Spencer Torkelson solo shot - over three innings while striking out five, including the last three batters he faced.

The Blue Jays might have kept him in the game longer if they'd built a big lead, but instead they turned to the bullpen. Either way, Lauer prefers not to know when he's being replaced.

After Lauer, the Blue Jays turned it over to the bullpen, and relievers Yariel Rodriguez, Brendon Little, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia each kept the Tigers from adding to their narrow lead.

Finally, Hoffman pitched a clean ninth to preserve the 1-1 tie and set up Clement's big hit.

On Sunday, it'll be Jose Berrios on the mound opposite Jackson Jobe as the Blue Jays look to take the series and get back to .500. After Saturday, the good vibes are on their side again.