The Toronto Blue Jays started their three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals, and although it took 11 innings, the Jays came out on top with a 4-3 walk-off victory.
Kevin Gausman (12-11, 4.09) took the mound for the Blue Jays while Erick Fedde (8-9, 3.39) did so for the Cardinals.
Gausman tossed 7 innings, allowing two runs on nine hits, walking two and punching out three. Fedde lasted 5 innings, allowing three runs over six hits, walking one and striking out three. Both pitchers left the game with no decisions.
The Cardinals threatened Gausman and the Blue Jays early in the 1st inning. St. Louis took a quick 2-0 lead, scoring on an RBI single from Nolan Arenado and a fielder’s choice from Thomas Saggese.
The Blue Jays took the lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the 4th. An RBI double from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. cut the Cardinals’ lead down to 2-1. A sacrifice fly from Spencer Horwitz later tied the game at two. Then an RBI single from Alejandro Kirk would give the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead.
Rookie Thomas Saggese hit his first big league homer to tie the game at three in the top half of the 8th.
The Blue Jays threatened in the bottom of the 11th as the game went into extras. Alejandro Kirk stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. Kirk drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single to give the Blue Jays a 4-3 walk-off win in extra innings.
Jose Berrios (15-9, 3.52) will get the ball for the Blue Jays, as Kyle Gibson (8-6, 4.20) will do so for the Cardinals as Berrios will look to lead the Blue Jays to a series win on Saturday afternoon.
