See? Home runs can be good. Vladdy's three-run shot cracks this game open, 3-0 for the #BlueJays
Instant Reaction: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s seventh home run helped salvage a series split for the Blue Jay against the Orioles
Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton - USA Today
Jun 6, 2024, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 6, 2024, 16:02 EDT
With how awful the series against the Baltimore Orioles started, it’s quite impressive that the Toronto Blue Jays managed to split the series.
On Thursday afternoon, they won their second straight game against the Orioles 6-5, splitting the series at two games apiece and bringing their record to 30-32.
The Blue Jays failed to score a run in the first inning for the 28th consecutive game, but they actually managed to take the lead in the bottom of the third. This is thanks to BABIP and a blast from Vladimir Guerreo Jr., his seventh long-ball of the season.
In the following inning, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a single that scored Daulton Varsho, giving the Jays a 4-0 lead, before Adley Rutschman hit his 11th home run of the season to cut the lead to 4-1. In the following half inning, Ernie Clement hit a huge single that scored two runs, giving the Jays a 6-1 lead.
Both runs are Ern'd 👏
Then things got sweaty for every Jays fan. Rutschman once again hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning, a two-run shot, making this a 6-3 game and giving Yimi García a save opportunity.
Adley Rutschman has homered from each side of the plate today!
After getting two outs, García drilled Austin Hayes in the ribs, setting up Ryan O’Hearn for his eighth home run of the season to make it a one run game. Thankfully, García struck out Kyle Stowers to end the game.
Ryan O'Hearn - Baltimore Orioles (8)
Things worth mentioning…
Yusei Kikuchi had a quality start, surprise, surprise. The left-handed pitcher finished with a line of 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K to bring his season ERA to 3.48. He’s been nothing short of great this season, and has been their second-best starter.
Yusei Kikuchi's 2Ks in the 1st.
Zach Pop had a rough game, giving up two earned runs via one Adley Rutschman home run. This team has to stop pitching to the Orioles’ backstop, as he’s cooked them this season. Five of his 12 home runs have come against the Jays, and this was his second multi-home run game against Toronto this season.
Yimi García has had a rough go of things in recent weeks, and this game wasn’t much better despite the save. With two earned runs against, he now has a season ERA of 2.16, which is good, but he’s given up five earned runs in his last six innings pitched raising his ERA from 0.47 to where it is now. The FIP is still good over the past six innings, though.
Justin Turner posted his second straight multi-hit game, as he had three hits in Wednesday’s game followed by two in Thursday’s game, along with a walk. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also had a multi-hit game with a home run, while Daulton Varsho hit a double. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ernie Clement also had RBI singles.
Up next: The Blue Jays take on the Oakland Athletics in the Bay Area starting Friday at 9:40 PM ET. This will be a three-game series, and if the Jays can defeat the 25-38 Athletics in all three-games, they’ll move to over .500. Chris Bassitt will start the game against his former team.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.