Toronto Blue Jays bats blast off in 10-3 beating of Cincinnati Reds
By Zach Laing
11 months agoGames like this afternoon’s are exactly why you can’t count the 2023 Toronto Blue Jays out.
And while they’d surely like more from their bats on a regular basis, they sure came out to play Saturday afternoon en route to a 10-3 walloping of the Cincinnati Reds.
It, alongside five great innings from Hyun-Jin Ryu and a strong bullpen performance to close it out, gave the Jays a massive series win. It comes as the club jockeys for position in the American League wildcard race with the Seattle Mariners, who sat half a game back of the Jays heading into Sunday’s games.
The Mariners swept the Houston Astros this weekend, so for the Jays to be able to take two of three keeps them in the race.
Things worth mentioning…
- The hits came heavy and early for the Jays as they did their damage against Hunter Greene, who made his first start since coming off the IL. Bo Bichette’s first-inning triple set up Brandon Belt to drive him home off a fielding error to kick off the scoring.
- Danny Jansen doubled in the top of the second and a Kevin Kiermaier two-run jack really got the party started and Brandon Belt would hit a solo shot of his own. HE would do it again in the top of the fourth as Bichette and Springer would add their own.
- Ryu is clearly rounding into form and that can’t go unnoticed. He went five innings throwing 83 pitches allowing no earned runs for his third straight game. He fanned seven, a season-high, and walked just one batter. This was a big one for him today.
- Speaking of pitching, Bowden Francis got his first big league save after entering in the top of the seventh inning and closing out the game. He threw 47 pitches allowing one earned run off two hits while striking out four batters.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the game in the bottom of the fourth and was replaced at first base by Cavan Biggio. He was pulled due to left middle finger discomfort. During a previous plate appearance, his bat had slipped out of his hand and trainer Jose Ministral came out to look at him, but he stayed in taking a walk.
- After the game, skipper John Schneider called Vlad “day-to-day” and expressed hope he can return Tuesday against Baltimore.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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