The Blue Jays defeat the Nationals 6-3 with a home run from Danny Jansen and 7 strikeouts from Kevin Gausman.

TORONTO — Danny Jansen homered and scored three runs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in a pair and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Monday night.

Jansen achieved his personal record of hitting 16 home runs, with a solo shot in the third inning, as Toronto started a series of 12 games against teams ranked low in the standings. The Blue Jays will be traveling to Colorado and Oakland next, and then they will be hosting Kansas City.

The Rockies, Athletics, and Royals are all behind in their divisions. Washington entered this series with a one-game lead over the last-place New York Mets in the NL East.

Kevin Gausman, a right-handed pitcher for the Blue Jays, secured his first victory in three starts by pitching for five innings. Gausman (10-8) gave up three runs and seven hits.

Gausman walked two and struck out seven, boosting his AL-leading total to 202. Atlanta’s Spencer Strider leads the majors with 236.

Trevor Richards threw for two innings, Génesis Cabrera handled the eighth inning, and Jordan Hicks closed the game, securing his 12th save out of 15 opportunities.

Joey Meneses achieved three RBIs, while CJ Abrams secured three hits and three stolen bases. However, despite their efforts, the Nationals suffered their second consecutive loss following a three-game winning streak.

Washington right-hander Josiah Gray (7-11) allowed four runs and four hits in two innings, extending his winless streak to six starts. He walked four and struck out two.

Meneses achieved an RBI single in the opening inning, while Toronto managed to secure four runs in the following inning. Guerrero successfully hit an RBI double, and George Springer and Davis Schneider contributed with RBI singles.

Meneses reduced the score to 5-3 by hitting a double that brought in two runs during the fifth inning. However, Kevin Kiermaier quickly responded with a single that resulted in an RBI off Andrés Machado in the latter half of the inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

The Toronto Blue Jays made the decision to place third baseman Matt Chapman on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained middle finger on his right hand. In response, they brought up infielder Ernie Clement from Triple-A Buffalo.

NO BO

Toronto’s lineup on Monday did not include Bo Bichette, the shortstop and leader in hits in the AL. Bichette, who has been named an All-Star twice, had to undergo an MRI for his right quad, which was causing discomfort and led to his early exit from Sunday’s game against Cleveland.

Bichette was batting .314, second in the AL behind Tampa Bay’s Yandy Diaz.

ROSTER MOVES

Washington selected the contract of C Drew Millas from Triple-A Rochester and transferred RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (right shoulder) to the 60-day IL. OF Blake Rutherford was optioned to Triple-A following Sunday’s loss at Miami.

EVERYWHERE MAN

Schneider, a rookie for the Blue Jays, played at third base for the first time in three games. Prior to this, he played at second base on Saturday and in left field on Sunday.

UP NEXT

RHP José Berríos (9-9, 3.55 ERA) is scheduled to start for Toronto on Tuesday against Washington LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-10, 4.38).