Eckstein powers Blue Jays in 1st game without Frank Thomas

Toronto Blue Jays starter A.J. Burnett pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of their American League baseball game in Toronto, Ontario, Sunday, April 20, 2008. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,J.P. Moczulski)

TORONTO—David Eckstein hit a three-run homer, supplying some of the power Toronto might miss without Frank Thomas, and the Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 5-3 on Sunday.

A.J. Burnett (2-1) issued a season-high six walks in five innings but still managed to win for the first time in four starts. He allowed three runs and four hits.

Toronto released Thomas before the game, one day after the slumping designated hitter became angry for being taken out of the lineup. The move leaves the Blue Jays on the hook for the remainder of the $18 million, two-year contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006.

Thomas' replacement, Rod Barajas, went 0-for-3. Fans briefly chanted "We want Frank" when Barajas was up in the seventh.

Nate Robertson (0-2) remained winless, giving up five runs and eight hits in five innings for Detroit. Robertson walked one, struck out five and his ERA rose to 7.48 through four starts.

Toronto won for the first time in five tries against a left-handed starter.

Clete Thomas' two-run single gave Detroit a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning but Toronto scored four times in the bottom half to take the lead for good. Eckstein followed John McDonald's RBI single with a drive to left for his first homer of the season.

Miguel Cabrera doubled home Magglio Ordonez in the fifth, but the Tigers couldn't score against Toronto's bullpen. Jesse Carlson worked 1 1-3 innings, Shawn Camp got five outs and Jeremy Accardo closed it out in the ninth for his fourth save.

Burnett walked the bases loaded in the third but escaped when Ordonez grounded out to end the inning. Burnett had walked just six in his four previous starts this season.

Detroit was without designated hitter Gary Sheffield (sore shoulder) and second baseman Placido Polanco (stiff back).

Sheffield, who had offseason surgery to repair a tear in his shoulder, said he plans to visit a doctor once the team returns to Detroit. The Tigers head home after concluding this four-game series Monday.

Notes:@ Toronto assigned 3B Scott Rolen (broken finger) to Class-A Dunedin to begin a rehabilitation assignment. Rolen, who fractured the middle finger on his right hand during a fielding drill in spring training, will be re-evaluated after three games at third base.