"I know a hanging slider hate to see me coming" - @DaultonVarsho25
Instant Reaction: Blue Jays swept the Rangers thanks to a 7-3 win
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski - USA Today
Jul 28, 2024, 16:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 28, 2024, 16:57 EDT
Are the Toronto Blue Jays good again?
On Sunday, the Jays played their third and final game in a series against the Texas Rangers, sweeping the series to move their record to 49-56. This is their second series sweep of the season.
In the bottom of the first, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to give the Blue Jays an early 1-0 lead, followed by Daulton Varsho’s second home run in as many games. Funnily enough, both Saturday and Sunday’s home runs came in the bottom of the first.
The Blue Jays had another three-run inning in the bottom of the third, with Guerrero Jr. hitting his 19th home run of the season to give Toronto a 4-0 lead. Later that inning, Addison Barger hit his third double of the season, as well as his first hit off a left-handed pitcher to give Toronto a 6-0 lead.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extends the @BlueJays lead with this oppo blast 😤
The Rangers and the Blue Jays exchanged runs in the sixth inning, as Nathaniel Lowe singled in Wyatt Langford, before Leo Jiménez hit a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth to give Toronto a 7-1 lead. Texas would score two more runs thanks to a Josh Smith home run in the top of the eighth, giving us the final score of 7-3.
Things worth mentioning…
José Berríos got back on track with a terrific game, finishing with a line of 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K to bring his season ERA to 3.93. This was also Berríos’ first start against the Rangers since his disastrous opening day on April 8, 2022.
José Berríos, Dirty 85mph Slurve. 😨
This is only Toronto‘s second sweep of the season. Their only other sweep came at the end of May, defeating the league-worst Chicago White Sox in a three game-series. Despite their struggles, the Blue Jays have only been swept twice.
The bullpen was well rested the past two games, as only Génesis Cabrera and Zach Pop pitched this game, with the latter picking up a save, the first of his career.
Justin Turner hit two singles, hit fifth multi-hit game over his past six games, or 13 hits in 25 plate appearances. That’s one way to boost your trade value, I guess.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in the midst of his best season since 2021, as he’s now slashing .301/.373/.498 with 19 homers in 453 plate appearances for a 146 wRC+. The Blue Jays have to re-sign him long-term, or move him at this deadline. Time to make a decision.
Kevin Kiermaier left Sunday’s game after slamming into the wall. He initially stayed in the game, but was pulled the following half inning. Not a great sign as it’s expected Kiermaier will be traded before Tuesday’s deadline. It’s been called a left hip contusion.
Up next: Toronto heads to Baltimore to face the Orioles for a four-game series spanning three days. On Monday, the two teams will play in a doubleheader thanks to postponed game early in the season, with the first one starting at 3:05 PM with Yariel Rodríguez on the mound.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.