For a change, the finger-pointing in the Blue Jays' bullpen can't be directed at closer Kevin Gregg.
The usually reliable Shawn Camp served up three consecutive hits and a sacrifice fly to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon that led to three runs in a 5-2 victory over visiting Toronto in the opener of a four-game series.
After a walk to Johnny Damon to open the bottom of the eighth inning spelled the end of starter Ricky Romero's day, Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and Ryan Raburn — Detroit's No. 3, 4 and 5 hitters — went single-double-single to bring home two runs and break up a 2-2 tie.
It was the first time in five appearances Camp had been scored upon. He was charged with two runs in relief of losing pitcher Romero (7-7) and saw his season earned-run average rise to 2.76.
Blue Jays relievers have given up just four runs in 18 1/3 innings in the first seven games of a 10-game road trip, including Gregg's meltdown and fourth blown save of the season Monday at Kansas City.
Jose Valverde recorded the final three outs for his 20th save to secure the Tigers' 34th home win of the season — tops in the American League — and second victory in as many days on the heels of a seven-game losing streak.
For seven innings, Romero and Detroit ace Justin Verlander went toe-to-toe before 34,476 fans at Comerica Park, with each benefiting from strong play by their respective defences.
Effective curveball, changeup
Verlander appeared to be in trouble early after a 25-pitch first inning and surrendering a two-run home run to Blue Jays catcher John Buck in the second, but rode an effective curveball and changeup to his 12th win — his fourth in a row and first versus Toronto in four-plus major league seasons.
The Jays left the bases loaded in the first and, after Buck's dinger, couldn't get a runner home from third later in the inning. Verlander didn't allow another run and only four baserunners in his last six shutout innings.
"We had more opportunities than we took in the first couple innings, that's for sure," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said. "It's good to get two runs off the guy, but you don't want to miss chances against one of the premier pitchers in the game."
Romero, looking for a second straight win coming out of the all-star break, retired the first seven batters he faced and breezed through the first three innings, but got into trouble the next two frames.
Damon ripped the 475th double of his major league career down the right-field line to break up the Toronto hurler's no-hit bid and later scored on a Cabrera single to centre to cut into a 2-0 Blue Jays lead.
Romero had his troubles with the Tigers first baseman in his 2009 rookie season as Cabrera and Ordonez went a combined 7-for-12 with two homers. Cabrera had two hits in three at-bats against the Jays lefty Thursday, while Ordonez was 0-for-2 versus Romero.
"He's one of the best players in the game, and at some point he'll probably go down as one of the best to ever play the game if he keeps his health," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland of Cabrera, who has reached base in 32 of 33 games and his hitting .347 on the season with 24 homers and 85 RBIs.
"You don't find guys that have that kind of power and that kind of elasticity in their swings."
4 straight singles
In the fifth, Detroit drew even after Romero got two quick outs, pounding out four consecutive singles.
"Ricky threw the ball very well," Gaston said. "But they've got Johnny Damon, Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera in the middle of their batting order. It's tough to get those guys out time after time."
Buck's opposite-field homer to right-centre in the second was his 14th of the season and extended his hitting streak to eight games during which he's averaging .382 (13-for-34) with seven doubles and seven runs batted in.
Toronto, which saw its record slip to .500 at 48-48, has launched at least one home run in 14 of its last 15 games.
Designated hitter Adam Lind had his hit streak end at 14 games.
Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar returned from a two-game absence with a right hand contusion and doubled in four at-bats.
Fred Lewis rested after twisting his right ankle in Wednesday's series finale at Kansas City. DeWayne Wise took his spot in left field and atop the Blue Jays' batting order, contributing a single and triple while striking out twice.
Shawn Marcum (8-4) is expected to take the mound for Friday's 7:05 p.m. ET start. A blister on his right middle finger cut short his last start but the right-hander threw a bullpen session Tuesday with no pain.
