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Thomas, Stairs slug Blue Jays past Rockies

Jun 23, 2007 - 9:59 PM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Frank Thomas and Matt Stairs led the Toronto Blue Jays to another high-scoring victory on Saturday.

Thomas moved another home run closer to the 500-homer club and Stairs had four hits as the Blue Jays posted an 11-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Toronto won the opener of the three-game series, 9-8, in 10 innings on Friday. Thomas and Stairs made sure there was no need for extra frames Saturday.

"They had a really big day," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "The last two or three days we've really been swinging the bats, and that's huge."

Stairs gave the Blue Jays a quick 1-0 lead with a home run in the first inning. Thomas extended the advantage to 3-0 with a two-run shot later in the frame.

It was the 498th career home run for Thomas, who went 4-for-4 with four RBI.

"It's a milestone I'm looking forward to," Thomas said. "I want to pass it so I can get on with my season. We've still got a lot of games to go and if I can get the right rhythm, I still can have a very good season."

Stairs also had a big game, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. The four hits tied a career high for Stairs, who last had a four-hit game on June 14, 2000 at Minnesota.

"I think Frank and I have 76 years between us and I think we were 8-for-9, so that's a pretty good day," said Stairs, who is tied for first with seven interleague home runs this season. "We came out swinging the bats well. I really don't care if I get five hits or two hits. As long as we win the game, that's the most important thing."

Colorado scored three runs in the sixth inning to tie the game at 6-6 before Toronto struck back in the bottom of the inning. Vernon Wells had an RBI groundout and Stairs drove in a run with a single to make it 8-6.

The Blue Jays added an insurance run in the seventh and two more in the eighth.

Brian Wolfe (2-0) picked up his second win in as many nights after allowing a run and a walk in the sixth.

"This (win) wasn't as good for me," Wolfe said. "I felt bad giving up a run - you never want to do that as a reliever. I was just happy the team could fight back, get the lead and give us a win."

Making his season debut in place of the injured A.J. Burnett, Toronto starter Ty Taubenheim allowed five runs and five hits in five-plus innings.

"I was definitely excited to be out there," Taubenheim said. "I remember last year in my first start I was pretty nervous. But this time I was ready to go. I felt like I gave us a chance to win."

Colorado starter Aaron Cook (4-5) allowed eight runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"That's not what we were looking for, not what (Cook) was looking for," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's got some work to do, and I'm going to leave it at that."

Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba was ejected by plate umpire Gerry Davis in the top of the fourth inning after arguing balls and strikes.

"(Davis) is one of the better umpires in the league, but today just wasn't a good day for him," Torrealba said. "He was really squeezing me, and it was very frustrating."