Blue Jays' Encarnacion erupts for 3 HRs, 9 RBIs in dominant display

The driving force behind the Toronto Blue Jays' impossible offense has been the depth of their star-laden lineup. Whether it's newly acquired Troy Tulowitzki, MVP-hopeful Josh Donaldson, or perennial slugger Jose Bautista, it seems like everyday there's a new hero.

On this day, the distinction belonged to Edwin Encarnacion. Three times, to be exact.

Encarnacion capped a three-homer effort with a dramatic grand slam in the 7th inning of Saturday's game, falling a solo shot shy of the home run cycle, and matching the franchise record for RBIs in a single game with nine.

"It's a bigger game than I've ever been (in)," Encarnacion told reporters. "I'm happy and I thank God for giving me a game like this."

The slam off Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Wilson was Encarnacion's 29th of the season, 10th of August, and sixth in as many games.

Roy Howell was the last Blue Jays player with nine RBIs in a game, accomplishing it against the New York Yankees during Toronto's inaugural season on Sept. 10, 1977.

Encarnacion's first homer - a three-run shot in the first inning - extended his career-long hitting streak to 24 games. The streak is the longest in the majors since Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado had a 28-game run in 2014.

(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)

"He's some kinda locked in," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "You go back to that record-setting month he had last May. When he gets it's going, there's nobody better, nobody more dangerous."

The game was paused briefly after the grand slam as dozens of fans tossed caps onto the outfield to honor Encarnacion's homer "hat trick." The Dominican slugger is the only player in Blue Jays history to hit a three-run homer and grand slam in the same game.

"The fans throwing hats on the field, that's probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen." said Blue Jays starter Drew Hutchison, who benefited from the offensive outburst en route to recording his 13th win of the season.

Toronto's dominant offense used an 18-hit attack - including a fourth home run from catcher Russell Martin - to beat the Tigers 15-1 for its 23rd win in 28 games. The 15-run outburst was the MLB-best 21st 10-run game for the Blue Jays this season.

- With files from The Associated Press