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TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays showcased a strong performance on Friday, overcoming the Baltimore Orioles with an 8-2 victory. Anthony Santander marked his first run batted in (RBI) since joining the team, contributing to a five-run inning that propelled the Jays ahead.
The action kicked off in the fourth inning when Alejandro Kirk, George Springer, and Will Wagner each hit singles, setting the stage for the Blue Jays’ offense. Nathan Lukes drew a walk that filled the bases, followed by a sacrifice fly from rookie Alan Roden. The sequence continued with Wagner scoring on a wild pitch, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. adding another sacrifice fly to put the Blue Jays further in control.
Later in the sixth inning, Bo Bichette added an RBI single, and pinch-hitter Ernie Clement secured two more runs with a double in the seventh, solidifying Toronto’s lead.
On the mound, Kevin Gausman (1-0) delivered a commendable performance, striking out four batters over six innings while allowing two runs on three hits and one walk. The relief pitching team, consisting of Yimi Garcia, Brendon Little, and Nick Sandlin, effectively held the Orioles scoreless in three innings of work.
Game Recap
For the Orioles, Jackson Holliday provided a spark with a solo home run in the third inning, while Tyler O’Neill added a sacrifice fly in the fourth. However, starting pitcher Charlie Morton (0-1) struggled, giving up four runs over 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and issuing one walk while striking out three. Baltimore’s bullpen, which included Albert Suarez, Cionel Perez, and Gregory Soto, allowed four runs, with three deemed earned.
Takeaways
For the Orioles, after an impressive offensive display the previous day where they scored 12 runs off five home runs, the team faced challenges with plate discipline, striking out nine times. Notably, they had three quick strikeouts in the eighth inning, concluding with Ryan Mountcastle’s strikeout with the bases loaded in the ninth.
For the Blue Jays, Gausman’s performance stands out as a positive, especially in light of his struggles early in the season last year. The veteran right-hander had a rough start to the 2024 season, amassing an earned-run average of 11.57 due to difficulties stemming from shoulder fatigue during spring training.
Key Moment
A highlight of the game was rookie Alan Roden’s stunning catch in the second inning, robbing Baltimore’s Ryan O’Hearn of a solid hit. This catch was particularly impressive considering it was only Roden’s second MLB game and his first appearance in left field at this level.
Statistical Insight
In an intriguing twist, the Orioles, who had 14 hits in their previous matchup against Toronto—a game they won 12-2—were limited to only three hits on Friday, while the Blue Jays capitalized with 14. This marked a significant turnaround in the series.
Looking Ahead
The Blue Jays will see Max Scherzer make his regular-season debut on Saturday as the team continues its four-game series against the Orioles, who will counter with Dean Kremer on the mound.
Source
globalnews.ca