Blue Jays snatch series victory from Texas in steady home series

Though this week’s series didn’t appear to be nearly as exciting as some series since the All-Star break, the Blue Jays (51-73), more youthful and excited than ever, pounded the Texas Rangers to take a series victory in a cleanly played home series in front of relatively strong crowds. Thanks to steady offensive contributions and timely (and unlikely) strikeouts, the Blue Jays played well throughout, despite falling in the finale.

Here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the weird from this week’s Rangers-Blue Jays showdown:

Bo Bichette (5-for-14, 3 R, 3 2B, RBI, BB, SB), Cavan Biggio (3-for-12, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), and Randal Grichuk (6-for-12, 5 R, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB) were all productive, while Danny Jansen (5-for-9, 3 R, HR, 3 RBI) was quietly effective on both sides of the ball.

Elsewhere in the lineup, Billy McKinney (1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB) had a good set, albeit in limited at-bats, with Justin Smoak (4-for-8, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB) also contributing.

On the mound, Wilmer Font (2.0 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 SO), Ken Giles (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, BB, SO, SV), and Derek Law (1.0 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 SO) were solid, so too was Thomas Pannone (4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, W).

Brandon Drury (2-for-12, HR, 6 RBI, SO) struggled overall, despite a grand slam in Monday’s blowout, while Derek Fisher (1-for-7, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 SO) and Teoscar Hernandez (2-for-11, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 BB, 6 SO, CS) were also hapless at the plate. Reese McGuire (0-for-3, 0 TB) was also among those to struggle.

Pitchers Zack Godley (2.1 IP, 2 H, R/ER, 2 BB, 2 SO), Neil Ramirez (2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 2 HR, 3 SO), and Sean Reid-Foley (3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R/ER, HB, 3 BB, L) were roughed up, even though they pitched under somewhat unfortunate circumstances.

In a rather confounding sequence of events, Rangers infielder Rougned Odor, while down 17-3 in Monday’s rout, was quite excited after launching a solo home run to right field, taking his time around the bases and trotting bombastically back to the visitor’s dugout. Many fans (and Sportsnet’s Six Sixeiro) took major exception to Odor’s behaviour, especially given the situation and score.

A series victory richer, the Blue Jays will welcome the Seattle Mariners (49-71) to town Friday for a three-game series which will feature Jacob Waguespack (3-1, 4.31 ERA, 30 SO) and two starters to be named later against Yusei Kikuchi (4-8, 5.56 ERA, 95 SO) and a pair of Mariners arms to be announced soon.