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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays overcome a blown lead and beat the Diamondbacks 8-7
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Photo credit: © Joe Camporeale - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Jul 14, 2024, 19:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 14, 2024, 19:53 EDT
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They don’t ask how, they ask how many.
On Sunday afternoon, the Blue Jays played the final game of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, defeating the 2023 National League Pennant winners 8-7.
For the third consecutive game, Daulton Varsho hit a triple, his sixth of the season. The next batter, Ernie Clement, reached thanks to a fielding error that scored the former Diamondback.
However, most of Toronto’s scoring came in the fourth inning, as Varsho and Clement each singled in a run, before Kevin Kiermaier of all players hit a grand slam to give the Blue Jays a 7-0 lead.
That lead didn’t last long though, as the Diamondbacks hit a grand slam of their own thanks to Ketel Marte in the bottom of the fifth, before three more runs would come in to score to tie the game. Giving up a seven-spot in one inning isn’t great.
The Blue Jays scored the final run of the game off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as the All-Star bound first baseman hit his 14th home run of the season, giving the Jays an 8-7 win.

Things worth mentioning…

Yusei Kikuchi cruised until the fifth inning, as he was tagged for all seven runs. He finished with a line of 4.2 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 6 K with a home run given up to bring his season ERA to 4.42. His tenure as a Blue Jay could be coming to an end within the next few weeks.
The bullpen had a good day, as they pitched 5.1 innings giving up three hits and striking out three. Trevor Richards had a nice bounce back game, pitching a clean inning.
In total, the Blue Jays finished with 14 hits, one of their best offence performances in a while. On top of a homer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a double and a single, while Ernie Clement hit a double and two singles while also reaching on an error. Varsho and Springer also had two hits.
Steward Berroa made his first career start, and while he was the only starter without a hit, he made two clutch catches in the bottom of the ninth.
There are only 13 more games left before the All-Star break. As it stands, the Blue Jays have a 44-52 record and sit 14 games back of the division and 9.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Let’s be real here, they have to sell.
Up next: The Blue Jays get a much-needed break thanks to the All-Star game, and won’t return until Friday, when they face off against the Detroit Tigers back at Rogers Centre. The team likely won’t look much different, but changes are coming.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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