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Ernie Clement’s 10th home run of the season helped the Blue Jays defeat the Angels 5-3
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Aug 22, 2024, 21:45 EDTUpdated: Aug 22, 2024, 22:06 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays continue their trend of “win a game, lose a game”. On Thursday, they defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 to bring their season record to 60-68.
All five of their runs came in the second inning, their best inning throughout the season. Overall, they have 78 runs in the second inning this season, the second-most in the big leagues aside from the Minnesota Twins’ 84 runs.
Spencer Horwitz led off the inning with his 13th double of the season, followed immediately by Alejandro Kirk’s 11th double of the season to cash him in. Will Wagner hit a single to give Toronto a 2-0 lead, which forced the Angeles to make a pitching change. The first batter Mike Baumann saw was Ernie Clement, who hit his 10th home run of the season and his third in the past three games. Still with no outs, Joey Loperfido hit a triple and was cashed in thanks to a George Springer ground out.
The rest of the game was pretty boring, let’s be real here. Varsho hit a two out double and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was intentionally walked, but Horwitz grounded out to end the second inning. The next Blue Jays’ hit came in the bottom of the seventh, as Loperfido hit a single, while Kirk hit his 12th double of the season the following inning.
Coming into the top of the ninth with a 5-0 lead, it looked as if the Jays would comfortably win it, especially after Kevin Pillar grounded into a double play. However, Jo Adell hit a double, Matt Thaiss walked, and Niko Kavadas made Tommy Nance pay with his first career home run in the big leagues. The next batter, Micahel Stefanic, grounded out to end the game.

Diving into the stats…

Remember 2019? The Blue Jays were not good and they often used an opener, most often Wilmer Font. It was a flash from the past in Thursday’s game, as Ryan Burr opened the game, giving up two hits and a walk in his inning pitched, but coming out of it unscathed.
Ryan Yarbrough was the bulk reliever in this game, pitching five innings with three hits allowed and four strikeouts to bring his season ERA to 3.69. Brendon Little pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout, while Tommy Nance gave up three earned runs and struck out three in two innings of work. Not a bad day for the Jays’ pitching staff.
In 1,652 plate appearances between the minor leagues and major leagues from 2017 to 2022, Ernie Clement hit a total of 11 home runs. Once he joined the Blue Jays organization to begin the 2023 season, he hit 11 home runs with the Buffalo Bisons and one with the Blue Jays in just 382 plate appearances last season.
Well, he hit his 10th home run of the season in the big leagues on Thursday, already doubling his total he had coming into this season. Moreover, he’s slashing .272/.295/.437 for a 104 wRC+. He’ll be a useful utility player for the Jays if they contend next season, and my oh my, how did he get a hold of that pitch?
The Jays had eight hits this game, as Alejandro Kirk had two doubles and Joey Loperfido hit a triple and a single. Daulton Varsho and Spencer Horwitz also hit a double, while Will Wagner hit a single.
On Friday, the Blue Jays continue their four-game series against the Angeles, with Crhis Bassitt expected to start that game against Jack Kochanowicz. This season, the Jays are 4-0 against the Angeles.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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