Thomas, Stairs lift Jays over Rockies

One was an off-season bargain, the other, not so much. But Matt Stairs and Frank Thomas both looked like wise acquisitions on Saturday.

Each man smacked four hits— including a first-inning home run— to lift the Toronto Blue Jays over the Colorado Rockies 11-6 at the sun-drenched Rogers Centre.

Stairs, a Fredericton native who signed a one-year, $850,000 US contract over the winter, and Thomas, the recipient of a two-year, $18-million deal, both picked up their 11th homers of the season.

"I've played with Matt a long time," Thomas said. "He's a great hitter. He's always been a great hitter. He's brought a spirit to this clubhouse every day and it's been great."

Thomas batted in four runs on the day, with half of those coming on his two-run shot in the first inning. The blast gave Thomas 498 homers on his career, putting him tantalizingly close to becoming the 21st player in major-league history to reach the 500-homer plateau.

The only blemishes on Thomas's day came on the two occasions when the lumbering designated hitter was thrown out on the basepaths—first at the plate and later while trying to leg out a double.

Stairs, meanwhile, picked uptwo RBIs, including one on a long single over right-fielder Brad Hawpe's head in the sixth inning as the Blue Jays snapped a 6-6 tie.

"Our offense has struggled most of the year, but I think guys are going up there starting to get hot, swinging the bats well, not trying to do too much," said Stairs, who is hitting .309 with 26 RBIs.

Taubenheim debuts

Troy Glaus, Aaron Hill and Adam Lindeach chipped ina pair ofhits for Toronto (36-37), while Vernon Wells went 0-for-4 as manager John Gibbons tried him in the leadoff spot for the second straight day.

Ty Taubenheim surrendered five runs on five hits over five innings while striking out four and walking four to wind up with a no-decision in his first start of the season for the Blue Jays. Brian Wolfe (2-0) gave up a run in one relief inning to get his second win in as many days.

Though the 24-year-oldTaubenheim was far from stellar, he outpitched counterpart Aaron Cook (4-5), who Toronto roughed up for eight runs— seven earned— over 5 1/3 innings.

"It's not the kind of start we're looking for," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's got some work to do."

Troy Tulowitzki hit a second-inning solo homer— his seventh of the year— for the Rockies (38-36).

The Blue Jays, who defeated the Rockies 9-8 in Friday's series opener, will try for the sweep on Sunday (CBC, 1 p.m. ET).