The Toronto Blue Jays scored five runs in the 6th inning en route to a 5-2 victory in the first of three games against the Baltimore Orioles.
Chris Bassitt (8-10, 4.02) took the mound for the Blue Jays and was nothing short of spectacular. The veteran right hander tossed 7+ innings, allowing two runs over three hits, walking two, along with a season-high nine strikeouts to secure his ninth victory of the year.
For the Orioles, Grayson Rodriguez (13-4, 3.86) was originally scheduled to start in Toronto but was scratched minutes before first pitch. Manager Brandon Hyde said Rodriguez felt pain in his upper back and shoulder and will go back to Baltimore for screening. Albert Suarez (5-4, 3.89) was then called upon to make an emergency start and did not disappoint. Suarez threw 5 innings of scoreless ball, allowing two hits, walking two and striking out six while taking a no-decision. Hyde praised the performance as Suarez told reporters he was notified of the change only 20 minutes before first pitch, but was able to get ready in time.
Both teams were locked in a pitcher’s duel, with the Orioles breaking the ice in the top of the 6th. There, rookie Jackson Holliday took Bassitt deep with a 410 foot solo shot to give Baltimore a 1-0 lead. Bassitt had not allowed a hit up to that point.
The Blue Jays responded right away in the bottom half as the threatened with two on and two out. Alejandro Kirk stepped up and came up clutch, sending a ball into the night for a three run blast, giving the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead. The boys of summer however, weren’t done there. Addison Barger doubled in two more runs to extend the Toronto lead to 5-1.
The Orioles would get a run back in the top of the 8th. Bassitt allowed a walk and two hits to load the bases with nobody out. Genesis Cabrera (3-2, 3.65) came in and walked pinch hitter Austin Slater, pushing one run across and cutting the Blue Jays’ lead to 5-2. Cabrera then struck out Ramon Urias and another pinch hitter, Coby Mayo, before inducing a ground out from Anthony Santander to get out of the bases loaded jam and keep the score at 5-2.
Chad Green (3-2, 1.56) shut down the Orioles in the 9th to secure his ninth save in nine tries.
With this loss, the Baltimore Orioles drop first place in the AL East to the New York Yankees for the first time since June 26.
The Blue Jays will look to take the series against the Orioles with a win tomorrow night. Bowden Francis (4-3, 5.64) will get the start for the Blue Jays as the Orioles will send Trevor Rogers (2-10, 4.76) for game two.
