Blue Jays celebrate Canada Day

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays celebrated Canada Day by donning special red jerseys for the country's 146th birthday, and by beating the Tigers, 8-3, in front of a sellout crowd of 45,766 at Rogers Centre.

Toronto matched up against the Tigers in the only matinee affair in the Major Leagues on Monday afternoon. In many ways, it was an ideal time for the two teams to take the field against each other considering their long rivalry and the 4 1/2-hour drive between the two cities.

The first 20,000 fans in attendance for the sold-out game received a red replica Blue Jays hat, while one lucky fan received a 2013 Honda Civic Touring Sedan during the game.

Pregame festivities included a party outside Rogers Centre, with interactive activities, games and prizes. Canadian Indy Car driver Alex Tagliani threw out the first pitch, and 2nd lieutenant Scotty Newlands sang the national anthems.