The Toronto Blue Jays will aim to forget a blowout loss and move closer to clinching the American League East title on Saturday night when they meet the host Kansas City Royals.

The Royals (77-77) breezed to a 20-1 romp in the opener of the three-game series on Friday night, pounding out a team-record 27 hits and batting around twice.

Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker was ejected in the first inning for protesting a close call on ball four. Manager John Schneider was tossed in the sixth for arguing about a call on a checked swing.

Despite the embarrassment, the Blue Jays maintained their three-game lead in the AL East over the Yankees after New York dropped a 4-2 decision to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

Toronto (89-65) has lost three in a row after a six-game winning streak.

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