Spencer Horwitz delivers. 🫡
Blue Jays hit a season-high 23 hits in a 15-0 blowout of the Twins
Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2024, 22:15 EDTUpdated: Aug 31, 2024, 22:38 EDT
After losing Friday’s game 2-0, the Toronto Blue Jays clubbed the Minnesota Twins 15-0 on Saturday.
The high-scoring affair started early for the Jays, as Daulton Varsho and Spencer Horwitz each hit a home run in the top of the first inning. Toronto would tack on three more for a seven-run inning.
In the top of the second, Addison Barger hit his sixth home run of the year for two more runs. Barger now has a nine-game hit streak in progress.
Target Field? Target Practice 🎯 #TOTHECORE
Toronto scored two more runs to make it an 11-0 game in the top of the third after a single from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Horwitz. Scattered throughout the game, the Jays added a handful of more runs, including Will Wagner’s second-career home run and a Nathan Lukes triple, nearly his first MLB home run. Overall, the Jays won 15-0.
The second career Major League homer for Will Wagner! #TOTHECORE
Diving into the stats…
With the number of runs scored, José Berríos’ performance is overshadowed. In the end, the former Twin finished with a line of 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K to bring his season ERA to 3.59. Tommy Nance was the first out of the bullpen, striking out a batter in a clean inning, as did Erik Swanson. Ryan Burr also pitched an inning with a strikeout, but allowed a hit.
José Berríos, Mean 94mph Front Door Two Seamer. 😠
Daulton Varsho hit his 17th home run of the season, his second in the past five games. With his ninth home run of the season, Spencer Horwitz now has a new career-high of 13 home runs when including the four he hit in Triple-A. Will Wagner had a five-hit performance.
All but one Blue Jay starter (George Springer) had a hit in this game, as the team combined for an insane 23 hits in this game. It’s by far the most hits the Jays have had in a game this season, while their 15 runs is the most they’ve had in a game as well.
As mentioned previously, Wagner had a five-hit game, but Nathan Lukes had four hits, while Guerrero Jr. and Horwitz had three hits. Varsho, Addison Barger, Alejandro Kirk, and Leo Jiménez each had two hits.
With the win, the Jays moved their season record to 67-71, 7.5 games behind the Twins for the final Wild Card spot with 24 games to go. Their season is all but done, but they’re only four games under .500, a positive sign heading into next year.
The final game of the series is on Sunday at 2:10 PM, with Yariel Rodríguez expected to start the game against Bailey Ober.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.