It was the George Springer show on Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Jays held on to defeat the Detroit Tigers 5-4, narrowly avoiding a sweep in the final game of the three-game series. They are still nine games under .500 with a 45-54 record.
Toronto jumped out to an early lead thanks to a George Springer home run in the bottom of the first, a solo-shot. The Jays’ long streak of not scoring in the first inning is well in the rear view mirror now.
Starting our Sunday with a #SpringerDinger 😎 pic.twitter.com/fZ0QVlJP4M
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 21, 2024
Springer hit his second home run of the game, his 13th of the season, in the bottom of the third to extend the lead to 3-0, as this was a two-run homer. However, a grand slam from Justyn-Henry Malloy gave the Tigers a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth.
Springer Dingers are so nice, he did it TWICE!
It's a TWO-homer game 👏 pic.twitter.com/tqxrbg5qSU
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 21, 2024
The Blue Jays answered in their half of the fifth, as Springer hit a double and was driven in by Spencer Horwitz to tie the game. Toronto scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the six, as Ernie Clement drove in Justin Turner, who had hit a single to lead off the inning.
Ern Dog gives us the lead 🐶 pic.twitter.com/L8pI9cZR0n
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 21, 2024
Things worth mentioning…
Kevin Gausman had a solid start once again, as he finished with a line of 6.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K to bring his season ERA to 4.55. He picked up his eighth win of the season and is 8-8.
George Springer has been a whole new player this past month or so. On June 24, he was slashing .188/.278/.281 with a 64 wRC+. With the three-hit, two home run day, Springer is now slashing .231/.312/.396 with eight home runs since that date.
Chad Green picked up his seventh save of the season, pitching an inning and a third of clean baseball. Génesis Cabrera pitched two thirds of an inning with a walk and a strikeout.
In total, the Blue Jays had 11 hits. George Springer had three of them, while Ernie Clement and Davis Schneider each had two hits. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a double, while Spencer Horwitz, Justin Turner, and Daulton Varsho each had a single.
Up next: The Blue Jays have Monday off, before welcoming the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday at 7:07 PM ET. José Berríos has the start for that game against an undetermined pitcher for the Rays.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.