That's what I'm saying, guy…

Scotty Richmond struggled, but was bailed out by a home run barrage

Scott Richmond’s quick start to this season is beginning to look like a bit of a fluke. Aaron Hill’s, on the other hand, isn’t. Hill followed last night’s four-hit effort with a two-out, two-run homer of Fernando Rodney in the ninth tonight, breaking a tie and giving Toronto an 8-6 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Richmond struggled for the fourth consecutive start, giving up six runs in four-and-a-third innings. In his last eight outings, Richmond is 0-5 and has seen his season ERA balloon from 3.68 to 5.03, surrendering 36 earned runs over the span. Homers by Marco Scutaro and Vernon Wells helped erase a 6-3 deficit and save Richmond from another defeat tonight, setting up Hill’s game-winner in the ninth. Scutaro and Wells each had three hits and Rod Barajas chipped in with a two-run shot in the second, his 18th of the season and eighth in the past month.

The Jays also got a strong bullpen effort — Jesse Carlson, Brandon League, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor combined to shut the Tigers out over five-and-two-thirds, giving up just two singles — both in the ninth — in the process. League picked up the win with two perfect innings and Frasor struck out Ryan Raburn for the save after Downs retired the first two in the inning.

The win is Toronto’s third straight, instantly vaulting them back into playoff contention with 20 games to go. Well, maybe not. Ricky Romero and Rick Porcello, who matched up in their respective major league debuts in April, go head-to-head in tomorrow’s matinee.