Victims of six losses in their last seven games, the Toronto Blue Jays finally had a reason to celebrate, Monday at Rogers Center, as they defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-2.
During this recent nasty streak, the Jays had never scored six or more points, something they remedied against the team from Washington State. It is also the first time since the clash against the Boston Red Sox, from April 25 to 28, that Charlie Montoyo’s men start a series with a victory.
The crowd favorites made the ball travel from the start of the match. Bo Bichette, on the first run, and Matt Chapman, on the second run, each completed a solo homer.
The Jays even took a 3-0 lead on Raimel Tapia’s single, pushing Vinny Capra to the plate in the sixth inning.
Close to disaster
Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi got off to a great start. In six innings of work, he passed as many batters in the mitt, allowing only one hit and three walks.
Arrived as reinforcements in Kikuchi (2-1) at the start of the seventh assault, relievers Trevor Richards and Yimi Garcia almost ruined the efforts of the starting gunner. After recording the first out very quickly, Richards allowed a solo homer for Eugenio Suarez, before walking two in a row. Garcia then entered, but allowed a single to the first batter to face him.
It was then that Quebecer Abraham Toro showed up at the plate, with the bases loaded and an opportunity to hurt the only Canadian team in major league baseball. The second base player, inserted in the first row of the rotation of his team, however, raised a very shallow ball, which allowed the Jays to remove it without allowing the runner on the third base to go to home plate. Garcia then ended the threat.
Alejandro Kirk took advantage of the Jays’ next turn at bat to allow Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to complete their lap of the trails and increase their lead.
Bichette also added a productive single in the eighth inning, finishing his game with three hits, producing two runs in addition to crossing the plate himself twice.
Tim Mayza injured
Prior to today’s matchup, the Blue Jays placed left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza on the 15-day injured list.
At a press conference, manager Charlie Montoyo said his gunner was suffering from inflammation in his left forearm.
The 30-year-old veteran has posted a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings so far in 2022. He’s also 2-0.
To replace Mayza in the lineup, the Jays recalled left-hander Andrew Vasquez from his AAA-level club.
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