The Toronto Blue Jays welcomed the Los Angeles Angels for the first of what will be four games. The Blue Jays would take game one after one offensive inning gave them enough runs for the victory.
Prior to Wednesday’s loss against the Cincinnati Reds, the Blue Jays announced that all their starters had been pushed back one day in the rotation, leaving Thursday open to anyone. A few hours before first pitch, the Blue Jays announced that Ryan Burr (0-1, 5.40) would start as the opener with Ryan Yarborough (4-2, 3.95) following as a bulk reliever. The Angels did the same, with Griffin Canning (4-11, 5.48) originally scheduled to start, they elected to go with Brock Burke (1-0, 7.27) to act as the opener, Canning would also follow as a bulk reliever.
As for the openers, Burr threw 1 inning, allowing no runs over two hits, walking one and punching out two. Burke also threw 1 inning and pitched into the 2nd, but ended up allowing three runs over three hits, walking none and striking out one, taking his first loss of the year.
Over to the bulk guys, Yarborough was solid, throwing 5 innings, allowing no runs on three hits, walking none and striking out five to earn his fifth win of the year. Canning, also pitched really well, throwing 6 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, walking none and striking out six. Burr and Canning were both given no-decisions.
For offence, the Blue Jays got it started in the bottom half of the 2nd, scoring all five of their runs in the inning. Alejandro Kirk doubled to drive in Spencer Horwitz as the Jays struck first for a 1-0 lead. Will Wagner continued his hot start to life in the big leagues with an RBI single to extend the Toronto lead to 2-0. Ernie Clement then homered on a pitch at his head to drive in Wagner and double the Blue Jays’ lead to 4-0. A groundout from George Springer would push one more run across, giving the Blue Jays a 5-0 lead.
The Angels would also score all their runs in one inning, rather on one swing. The Angels threatened with two on and two out, when rookie Niko Kavadas hit a three run homer, the first of his major league career, on a full count to cut the Blue Jays’ lead to 5-3. After giving up the blast, Tommy Nance was able to shut the door after inducing a groundout from Michael Stefanic to secure the 5-3 victory. Angels centre fielder Mickey Moniak also exited the game after being hit by a pitch in the 4th inning, former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar would take over in centre.
The Blue Jays will look to build off of Thursday by sending Chris Bassitt (9-12, 4.34) to the bump to face Jack Kochanowicz (1-3, 6.53) for the Angels on Friday night.
