Spencer Horwitz today: 🔹 3 Extra-base hits 🔹 3 RBI 🔹 3 Runs
Spencer Horwitz had four hits and two home runs in the Blue Jays 9-5 win over the Braves
Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024, 22:30 EDTUpdated: Sep 7, 2024, 22:52 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays sure know how to keep fans glued to their seats. It’s not always in a good way.
On Saturday evening, the Blue Jays played the second of three games against the Atlanta Braves, defeating them 9-5. This sets up the rubber match on Sunday.
It’s official, Spencer Horwitz is a dude. In the top of the second, he hit his 10th home run in the big leagues and 14th of the season. In his next at bat in the top of the fourth, he homered for the second time to give him 11 with the Jays and 15 this season.
He wasn’t the only player to drive in runs that inning, as Ernie Clement hit his 20th double of the year to make it 3-0, while Joey Loperfido hit his 10th double of the year to give the Jays a 4-0 lead.
Surprise, Surprise, Spencer Horwitz hit another extra-base hit in the top of the fifth, hitting his 16th double of the season to extend the Jays’ lead to 5-0. Will Wagner hit a ground out to make it 6-0.
The Jays added some insurance runs in the top of the ninth, and it’s a good thing. Nathan Lukes singled, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a force out, and Will Wagner hit a single to give Toronto a 9-1 lead.
Luis Frías made his first appearance with the Jays, and it didn’t go well. Recording a single out, he allowed four earned runs that brought the game from 9-1 to 9-5. Brendon Little recorded the final two outs.
The @BlueJays pick up the W with a 9-5 win over the Braves! 🙌
Diving into the stats…
Spencer Horwitz’s bat went a bit cold after the All-Star game, but this was arguably the best game of his young career. On top of the two home runs and a double, Horwitz also reached with a single. He brought his batting average up 10 points while also raising his wRC+ from 119 to 129.
Spencer Horwitz ties Blue Jays single-game rookie record with 11 total bases #TOTHECORE
He wasn’t the only player with three or more hits (the Jays had 17 in total), as Nathan Lukes and Will Wagner each had three hits in this game. The former hit three singles and is slashing .500/.565/.650 with 10 hits in 23 plate appearances since his recalling. Ernie Clement and Joey Loperido each finished with a double and a single, while Daulton Varsho, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Alejandro Kirk each had one hit.
José Berríos’ start went under the radar, but he pitched another quality start, finishing with a line of 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K to bring his season ERA to 3.52. Ryan Burr struck out two in an inning of work, while Génesis Cabrera allowed a walk but pitched a scoreless inning to bring his season ERA to 2.98.
Toronto has a chance to take the series, as they play the third and final game against the Alex Anthopoulos-led Braves on Sunday at 1:35 PM ET.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.