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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays survive a late scare to take the series against the Guardians
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Jun 16, 2024, 16:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 16, 2024, 17:10 EDT
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Are the Blue Jays actually good?
On Sunday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays played the rubber match against the Cleveland Guardians, defeating the American League Central leading team. The Jays now sit at 35-36 and have now won three of their last four rubber matches.
Ernie Clement got things started for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the second, hitting a two-run blast with Addison Barger on base, giving the Jays an early 2-0 lead. Toronto has now scored 52 runs in the second inning, seven more than the next team.
The Guardians tied it in the top of the fifth thanks to a Steven Kwan single and a Tyler Freeman ground into a double play. However, the play of the game came from Daulton Varsho, who hit a grand slam the next half inning to give Toronto a 6-2 lead, his 11th of the season and his second grand slam of the year.
Toronto added another run that inning thanks to an Addison Barger single. However, Cleveland would make it close before the game ended, as Daniel Schneemann hit a home run in the top of the sixth, before Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run shot in the top of the ninth to make it a one-run game. However, a combination of Yimi García and Nate Pearson closed out the game.

Things worth mentioning

Speaking of Yimi García, he didn’t get the save as he was pulled from the game due to an apparent injury. In two thirds of an inning pitched, he allowed four hits and two earned runs to bring his season ERA to 2.57. Hopefully, it’s not a serious issue as he’s been lights out this season.
Nate Pearson picked up his second save of the season by picking up an out, a line drive caught by Kevin Kiermaier. Pearson now has a 4.23 ERA for the season.
José Berríos finished with a line of 6 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K to bring his season ERA to 3.13, the worst mark it’s been all year. Thankfully, it’s still pretty darn good.
Addison Barger had his first career multi-hit game, hitting two singles and driving in a run. Daulton Varsho had two hits, including that massive grand slam, as did Ernie Clement who matched his career-high in homers. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a three-hit performance, nice to see after a rough series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Up next: The Blue Jays start a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday, with Yusei Kikuchi starting the game for the Jays at 7:07 PM ET.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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