Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Braves Dominate Blue Jays in 8-4 Victory
TORONTO – Easton Lucas, the starting pitcher for Toronto, faced a tough challenge on Monday night, allowing his first earned run of the season during a game against the Atlanta Braves. Once the Braves found their stride, they maintained their offensive momentum throughout the match.
Austin Riley was a standout player, driving in five runs with two home runs, while Sean Murphy added a two-run homer, leading Atlanta to an 8-4 triumph over Toronto at the Rogers Centre.
“It came down to walks and home runs,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider noted. “(Lucas) struggled with his location. His off-speed pitches, in particular, were elevated, and it cost him.”
Murphy opened the scoring with a home run in the first inning, and Riley followed with a big hit in the third, ultimately culminating in a three-run homer during a four-run fifth inning that solidified the Braves’ lead.
“Sometimes you have games like this,” Schneider reflected. “You can make good pitches, but good hitters can exploit mistakes. This is the major leagues. Nonetheless, I think Lucas has performed well overall.”
Lucas, who currently holds a record of 2-1, has been filling in for the injured Max Scherzer. His performance on Monday marked a significant change, with his earned run average rising from 0.00 to 4.70 after conceding eight earned runs over five innings.
“I didn’t change my approach,” Lucas stated. “I was prepared but just didn’t execute when it mattered.”
The Braves’ starter, Grant Holmes, showcased a strong performance by retiring the first 12 batters he faced and only allowing a walk to Andres Gimenez in the fifth inning. Myles Straw eventually broke through with a solo home run in the sixth, marking Toronto’s first hit of the game.
Holmes, who earned his first win of the season, pitched a career-high 7 2/3 innings, giving up only two hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out four batters.
In a notable moment for Blue Jays fans, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. acknowledged the supportive crowd of 21,595 as he stepped up to bat for the first time since signing a massive 14-year, $500 million contract extension.
Ozzie Albies contributed to the Braves’ offensive success with a double in the fifth, extending his hitting streak to seven games. The Braves ended the night with a total of six hits compared to the Blue Jays’ five.
Toronto’s pitching staff included Jacob Barnes and Yariel Rodriguez, who each provided two innings of relief. In the eighth inning, Tyler Heineman hit a two-run double off Braves reliever Aaron Bummer, followed by Ernie Clement’s RBI single in the ninth.
The game, which was the first of a three-game interleague series, lasted a quick two hours and 16 minutes.
In injury news, Max Scherzer is scheduled to follow up with a hand specialist this week. The right-hander had previously received a cortisone injection for a thumb issue at the end of March.
Additionally, Blue Jays outfielder George Springer was sidelined after experiencing discomfort in his left wrist during a recent game. Initial X-ray and MRI results returned normal, and Springer is considered day-to-day according to Schneider.
Looking ahead, Toronto has named Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.33 ERA) as the starter for Tuesday’s matchup against fellow right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (1-0, 0.45).
Source
globalnews.ca