The Toronto Blue Jays headed to Chase Field for the first time since 2016 as they began their three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
An update on Kevin Kiermaier. Originally, before Thursday’s game, the Blue Jays placed Kiermaier on revocable waivers. But prior to Friday night’s game, Kiermaier confirmed that he did pass through waivers and was yet again in the starting lineup for the Jays.
On the mound for the Blue Jays, offseason signee Yariel Rodriguez (1-3, 3.67) and for the Snakes, Ryne Nelson (6-6, 4.98). Rodriguez threw four innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking three and punching out seven. Nelson threw seven innings, allowing three runs over five hits, walking none and striking out three. Both pitchers left with no decisions.
The Diamondbacks got on the board first, striking in the bottom of the 3rd. Corbin Carroll would drive in Kevin Newman with an RBI single to give the Snakes a 1-0 advantage.
Arizona doubled their lead an inning later, after a sacrifice fly from Newman would drive in another run.
The Blue Jays would get one run back in the top of the 5th, when a Kevin Kiermaier groundout pushed Alejandro Kirk across, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Red hot rookie Spencer Horwitz would continue his excellence, driving in a run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 6th, as the game became tied at two.
Another sacrifice fly would prove to help Toronto’s cause. Ernie Clement’s sac fly would push Daulton Varsho across and give the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning.
An inning later, yet another sac fly would give the Blue Jays another run. It was Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s turn, as his sac fly extended the Toronto lead to 4-2.
Unfortunately for the Jays, the score wouldn’t stay the same for much longer, as Arizona struck back in the bottom half of the 8th. A two RBI single from Alek Thomas brought the Snakes back into the game as the score was now tied at four runs apiece.
The Diamondbacks would walk it off in the bottom of the 9th, after Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly would drive in Corbin Carroll, handing the Blue Jays a 5-4 walk off defeat.
The Blue Jays will send Jose Berrios (8-6, 3.76) to the bump to take on rookie Yilber Diaz (0-0, 1.50) for the Snakes as Toronto looks to bounce back with a win tomorrow afternoon.
