Straw and Lukes each drive in 2 as Blue Jays avoid sweep, beat majors-leading Brewers 8-4
Toronto Blue Jays' Addison Barger, right, and Ernie Clement take to the field prior to the start of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Toronto on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. Credit: AP/Jon Blacker
TORONTO — Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes each drove in two runs, George Springer reached base three times and scored twice, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Tommy Nance (2-0) pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning as Toronto improved to 59-4 when scoring at least five runs.
Nance was one of five relievers who combined for five shutout innings in relief of a shaky Max Scherzer, who allowed four runs and a season-high nine hits in four innings. Manager John Schneider said Scherzer was removed because of tightness in his upper back.
William Contreras hit a two-run home run, his 17th, and Brice Turang added a solo shot, his 16th, but the Brewers failed to set a club record with a 22nd win in August. Milwaukee went 21-9 this month.
The Brewers still own the best record in baseball at 85-53.
Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio went 4 for 5 and scored twice in his second game after missing a month because of a strained right hamstring.
Milwaukee made a costly fielding error in Toronto’s three-run first inning, and had runners thrown out at third base and home plate in a mistake-filled performance.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. Credit: AP/Jon Blacker
The AL East-leading Blue Jays were also sloppy. Left-hander Brendon Little made two errors and outfielder Addison Barger lost a fly ball in the sun.
Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff (5-2) allowed eight runs, five earned, and a season-high 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Woodruff also gave up five earned runs in his previous start, Aug. 25 against Arizona.
Key moment
The Blue Jays chased Woodruff and scored three runs with four straight one-out hits in the fifth.
Key stat
Scherzer struck out one of the 19 batters he faced.
Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich (22) grounds out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday Aug. 31, 2025. Credit: AP/Jon Blacker
Up next
Brewers: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (4-2, 4.33 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday against Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (4-7, 3.63).
Blue Jays: RHP Chris Bassitt (11-7, 4.14 ERA) is expected to start at Cincinnati on Monday against Reds RHP Hunter Greene (5-4, 2.81).
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