Backed by Biggio, Blue Jays sluggers demolish lagging O’s

Though it was *just* the lowly Baltimore Orioles, the Blue Jays were able to lay waste to their opponents this week in what can only be described as an absolute pounding. Thanks to relentless onslaughts of offence, satisfactory pitching, and some timely defence, the Blue Jays took all three games in Baltimore to further diminish the chances of them finishing the season with 100 losses.

Here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the weird from a wild set in Baltimore:

As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Cavan Biggio (8-for-16, 6 R, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB) exploded in this series, completing just the third cycle in franchise history, while Bo Bichette (3-for-12, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB) also contributed nicely.

Elsewhere in the lineup, Randal Grichuk (3-for-14, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB) provided ample power, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (6-for-14, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (3-for-9, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI), Reese McGuire (4-for-7, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI, 3 BB), and Rowdy Tellez (2-for-5, 4 R, 2B, 4 BB) also showing up.

Wilmer Font (2.0 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 SO) was solid Thursday, with Sam Gaviglio (1.0 IP, 0 H, R, 0 ER), Anthony Kay (4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 3 SO, W), Derek Law (2.0 IP, 2 H, R/ER, SO, SV, W), Elvis Luciano (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, SO) and Trent Thornton (5.0 IP, 3 H, R/ER, BB, 4 SO) logging good innings.

Jonathan Davis (0-for-2, 2 SO, R), Brandon Drury (1-for-4, 2 SO), and Justin Smoak (1-for-8, R, HR, RBI, 2 SO, 4 TB) struggled, albeit not in major ways, while Anthony Alford (0-for-1, SO) weirdly got just a single at-bat in the whole set.

On the mound, Clay Buchholz (3.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R/ER, 2 HR, 4 SO) was rocked, with Justin Shafer (1.2 IP, 2 H, R/ER, HB, BB, 2 SO), Brock Stewart (1.1 IP, H, R/ER, SO, W), and Ryan Tepera (2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R/ER, HR, BB) not faring well either.

Aside from Biggio’s cycle (which is more likely to be considered “spectacular” than “weird”), the series had numerous shocking moments, including Grichuk’s miraculous late-game grand slam, Bo Bichette’s near-miss at the plate, and Anthony Kay’s first career win.

The Blue Jays now head to New York to face the rounded 100-54 Yankees in a three-game set that’ll feature former Jay J.A. Happ (12-8, 5.07 ERA, 130 SO), and two other pitchers yet to be announced toeing the rubber against Jacob Waguespack (4-5, 4.70 ERA, 52 SO), T.J. Zeuch (1-0, 4.61 ERA, 10 SO), and Thornton (5-9, 4.93 ERA, 138 SO).