TORONTO — It looked as if it were going to be a blowout.

The Twins had put up seven runs against Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman through the first three innings, chasing him early. They held a six-run advantage at one point.

Things turned quickly.

Starter Simeon Woods Richardson was tagged for five runs and the Twins’ bullpen was leaky in a 10-8 loss to Toronto on Saturday at Rogers Centre. Twins pitchers did not throw a clean inning all game.

The Twins, who at one point led 7-1, gave up three runs in the fifth inning, and two apiece in the sixth and seventh to snap their three-game winning streak. No pitcher was unscathed.

Woods Richardson allowed a run in the second and two more in the third against the team that traded him away two years ago before being forced out in the fifth.

Cole Sands, who followed, allowed a two-run home run to Danny Jansen, then ran into more trouble an inning later. He was lifted with a pair on for Steven Okert, brought in to face lefty Daulton Varsho.

In one of the game’s most pivotal plate appearances, Okert got two quick strikes on Varsho before issuing a seven-pitch walk, setting up a bases-loaded situation for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The dangerous first baseman, who finished the day with four hits, delivered a key double, tying the game 8-8.

TORONTO, ON – MAY 11: Alex Kirilloff #19 of the Minnesota Twins slides safely into third base after hitting a two-RBI triple in the first inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 11, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

It was Jay Jackson’s turn next and the former Blue Jay didn’t fare well, either, allowing a pair of hits and recording just one out before he was replaced by Caleb Thielbar.

Similar to Okert an inning earlier, Thielbar walked the first batter he faced, George Springer, to set up a bases-loaded situation. Ernie Clement’s single and Davis Schneider’s sacrifice fly put two more runs on the board, giving the Jays the lead.

Much of the Blue Jays’ production came after the Twins’ own offensive outburst in which they again battered Gausman, one of the best starters in the game.

The Twins scored three runs in the first, tacked on another in the second and used home runs from Carlos Santana (a three-run shot) and Ryan Jeffers in the third and fourth innings respectively.

But their offense was then shut down entirely by a Blue Jays bullpen that has been among the worst in baseball. Sixteen consecutive batters were sent down in order before Max Kepler doubled in the ninth inning.

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