Blue Jays’ bats provide much-needed stress-free victory over Reds

CINCINNATI – Regardless of how the stretch run performs out for the Blue Jays, it doesn’t determine to be significantly enjoyable. The Mariners, the workforce they’re chasing within the wild card standings, proceed to win. And due to the best way this version of the Blue Jays is constructed, they have a tendency to play lots of shut video games.

In that context, it’s uncommon the Blue Jays get an opportunity to breathe. 

Now granted, no sport might be described as simple when it’s performed in 33 diploma warmth, and the early exit of their first baseman creates a query because the Blue Jays head to Baltimore, however nonetheless, this 10-3 win in entrance of 31,529 at Great American Ballpark was extra enjoyable than most.

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The Blue Jays jumped on Hunter Greene early, connecting for 5 rapid-fire house runs that chased the flame-throwing Reds starter from the sport earlier than he may full 4 innings. Not solely did the outburst tie a season excessive in house runs for the Blue Jays, it matched a franchise document for many homers allowed by any pitcher in Reds historical past.

While one other Mariners win means the Blue Jays stay 0.5 video games behind Seattle within the wild card race, Sunday was a step ahead.

“Take care of our own business,” stated Brandon Belt, who hit two house runs. “We’re not worried about what other teams are doing right now. We’re going out there and trying to win every single game, every single inning, and we’ll check to check the box at the end of the year and see where we are. Right now it’s just being worried about playing our (best) baseball.”

All informed, the Blue Jays jumped Greene for 9 runs on 10 hits, together with house runs from Kevin Kiermaier, Bo Bichette, George Springer and Brandon Belt (2). It marked the third time this season, the Blue Jays have related for 5 lengthy balls and – shock, shock – they’ve received all 3 times.

“Up and down (the lineup), it was really, really good at bats,” stated supervisor John Schneider. “Put pressure on (Greene) from the start.”

There’s clearly no dangerous solution to hit 5 house runs, however Sunday’s energy surge was particularly welcome as a result of Bichette (knee), Springer (ankle) and Kiermaier (elbow laceration) had all been battling accidents as just lately as just a few days in the past. Also concerned within the offence was Danny Jansen (hand), who doubled his first time up after every week on the sidelines and added an RBI single within the ninth.

“Getting all of our guys back in the lineup is pretty huge for us,” stated Belt. “Getting the length back in the lineup is real promising and we like where we’re at now.”

Yet the damage issues haven’t fully disappeared for the Blue Jays as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. skilled left center finger discomfort throughout his fourth-inning plate look and left the sport shortly afterwards, with Cavan Biggio taking on at first base. Afterwards, Schneider described Guerrero Jr. as day-to-day and stated the workforce expects he’ll be fantastic.

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But whereas the offence was undoubtedly the driving drive behind this win, the Blue Jays nonetheless benefitted from some stellar pitching on a day their MLB-best 3.67 ERA dropped slightly decrease. Starter Hyun Jin Ryu supplied 5 innings of four-hit baseball, permitting two unearned runs whereas placing out seven in one in every of his higher outings since getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure. 

“The guy knows how to pitch,” stated Belt. “It doesn’t it doesn’t actually matter what sort of stuff he has when he goes up there, he is aware of what to do with it. And he works fast. It’s at all times enjoyable to play behind any person who works as fast as that and he’s only a pitcher via and thru.”

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All afternoon, the Reds’ younger lineup seemed off-balance. Afterwards, the 36-year-old Ryu stated he’d grade his curveball 100 out of 100 even when his fastball velocity was a extra modest 87.4 m.p.h., on common.

“I really thought they were going to be very aggressive, so I just tried to get ahead,” Ryu stated through interpreter.

“He could take advantage of some of their aggressiveness,” Schnieder added. “Really, really good outing for him.”

By the late innings, the rating was lopsided sufficient for the Blue Jays to comfortably relaxation their highest leverage relievers – a bunch that will in any other case have been accessible for intensive work however now will get a two-day break. Left-handed Genesis Cabrera lined the sixth inning for the Blue Jays adopted by Bowden Francis, who dealt with the ultimate three frames en path to his first profession save whereas permitting solely a solo house run to Tyler Stephenson.

This win was significantly massive as a sequence in opposition to the Orioles looms massive subsequent week and wins shall be robust to return by in opposition to the American League’s finest workforce. Now, the Blue Jays fly to Baltimore the place they’ll relaxation Monday earlier than enjoying three in opposition to the workforce that entered play Sunday 76-47.

Hitting 5 house runs per sport won’t be a sustainable technique, but it surely doesn’t must be. For at the very least one stifling afternoon in Cincinnati, the Blue Jays’ bats created a path to a much-needed sequence win and a comparatively stress-free afternoon on the ballpark.

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