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Blue Jays Overcome Braves in 3-1 Win
TORONTO – In a solid showing, Toronto Blue Jays’ pitcher Chris Bassitt delivered an impressive performance with five shutout innings, leading his team to a 3-1 victory against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The win was highlighted by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s first home run of the season.
Bassitt (2-0) had a strong outing, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters over 90 pitches. His dominant presence on the mound set the tone for the game, particularly when he struck out the side in the first inning, with notable strikeouts of Michael Harris II, Austin Riley, and Matt Olson.
Guerrero contributed significantly to the scoring, first driving in Bo Bichette with a single in the third inning and later launching a no-doubt solo home run against Braves starter Spencer Strider in the sixth inning. The Blue Jays’ offensive effort was bolstered by a late insurance run in the seventh, when Bichette doubled, bringing in Myles Straw.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen also played a crucial role in securing the win, as Brendon Little, Nick Sandlin, Yimi Garcia, and Jeff Hoffman combined to maintain the lead. Although Hoffman allowed a solo home run to Drake Baldwin, he successfully recorded his fourth save of the season, concluding the game after a total duration of two hours and 43 minutes.
Braves Struggle Despite Strider’s Return
For the Braves (5-13), Strider made his season debut after being off the field for most of the previous season recuperating from right elbow surgery. He pitched five-plus innings, surrendering two earned runs and five hits. Strider was last seen leading the league with 281 strikeouts in 2023, and his performance on Wednesday showed glimpses of his potential despite the loss.
Atlanta had a chance to capitalize in the fifth inning with runners positioned at second and third, but Bassitt’s strikeout of both Harris II and Riley prevented any scoring and kept the Braves at bay.
Toronto now boasts a record of 11-8, with six victories in their last nine games. The announced attendance for the game was 25,328, showcasing continued fan interest in the early part of the season.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will have a day off on Thursday. The Blue Jays are set to start a three-game weekend series against the Seattle Mariners, while the Braves will return home to host the Minnesota Twins.
Key Takeaways
One key moment of the game was Bassitt’s early dominance over Atlanta’s lineup, demonstrated by his ability to strike out the side without allowing a ball to leave the infield. His performance not only showcased his skills but also significantly impacted the game’s momentum.
For Bassitt, this contest marked his eighth career game with 10 or more strikeouts, and he improved his earned-run average (ERA) from 0.98 to 0.77, further solidifying his standing as a key asset for the Blue Jays this season.
Source
globalnews.ca