TORONTO _ Brad Keller got a couple games' worth of run support in his start on Sunday afternoon, and it turned out he needed every bit of it to record his first win since May 22.
One fly ball lost in the sun looked like it would alter Keller's entire day for the worse, but the Royals picked up their starting pitcher and made several defensive gems throughout the game to secure a 7-6 win in front of an announced 21,727 at the Rogers Centre.
The win assured the Royals won't get swept in the series. They can earn a split with a win in the series finale on Monday afternoon.
Keller entered the day having received the sixth-lowest run support (3.78 runs per star) of any qualified starter in the American League. He gave up six, including a five-run inning, but was able to lean on his offense for one of the few instances this season.
The Royals gave Keller a one-run lead to work with in the second inning. It was nowhere near insurmountable, but it also gave Keller a solid starting point. Keller entered the day having received two runs or fewer in 10 of his previous 17 starts this season.
After a one-out single and a walk in the bottom of the second, it looked like Keller might cough up that lead right away. Then he got Brandon Drury to ground out to first base for the second out of the inning.
Blue Jays catcher Luke Maile, who was hitting .168, popped up a 3-2 pitch down the right field line but in play. Royals right fielder Jorge Soler came in on the ball, sunglasses on, and appeared to have settled under the ball.
However, at the last second his body language showed he'd lost the ball in the sun as he covered his head and stumbled as the ball bounced in fair territory for a two-run triple. After the triple, Eric Sogard hit an RBI single and Just Smoak hit a two-run home run that turned what could've been a scoreless inning into a five-run inning.
Keller's pitch count also ballooned up to 46 pitches through two innings.
The Royals reclaimed a one-run lead in the top of the third inning thanks to five runs on four hits and two walks.
Humberto Arteaga and Whit Merrifield set the table with back-to-back walks. Nicky Lopez's single loaded the bases, and Alex Gordon hit a two-run single through the hole between third base and shortstop. Hunter Dozier followed with an RBI single, and Soler's RBI single tied the score 5-5 without an out recorded.
The go-ahead run scored from third when Cuthbert grounded into a double play.
Soler hit his 22nd home run of the season in the fifth inning, and Smoak hit his second of the day for the Blue Jays in the bottom half of the inning to make the score 7-6.
Keller made it through five innings, but he threw 101 pitches and gave up two home runs to the same hitter after having given up just six in 17 starts.
Kevin McCarthy (two innings), Jake Diekman (one inning) and Ian Kennedy (one inning, 11th save in 13 chances) provided stellar relief.
