Backed by a 3-4 night by Davis Schneider, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Chicago White Sox 7-2 and have now won both series against the worst team in MLB this year.
Toronto’s offence took full advantage of Chicago’s sour pitching, as all nine Blue Jays hitters reached base tonight.
On the mound for Chicago was recently called up SP Jake Woodford, who started after Mike Clevinger went on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Woodford numbers in Triple-A coming into the game weren’t ideal, posting a 5.26 ERA in 10 starts.
Woodford gave up a lead-off double to Davis Schneider but was bailed out of the first inning thanks to LF Andrew Benintendi catching a ball up against the wall to rob Danny Jansen of extra bases.
Woodford wouldn’t get so lucky in the second, as Isiah Kiner-Falefa doubled off the pitcher, scoring the Jays’ first runs. Kiner-Falefa’s recent plate adjustment of a toe tap rather than a big leg kick has opened the door for more power (two homers in the last week) from an infielder not known for extra-base hits for his career.
Speaking of power, Schneider would get to Woodford again in the second, hitting another double to score two runs and make it 3-0 Jays.
Woodford’s overall start was short, lasting just 4 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs. After one start, his ERA sits at 6.23, the same as in 2023, when he pitched in 15 games in total for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Schneider continued to deliver for the Jays, scoring George Springer on a sac fly, putting Toronto up 4-1. Springer reached base in all of his plate apperance tonight, htting two singles and walking three times.
Toronto would add on more runs in the eighth from RBI singles curiosity of Bo Bichette and Justin Turner, securing a much-needed series win.
On the pitching side for the Jays, Toronto SP Kevin Gausman dazzled in Chicago, allowing one earned run over six innings. Gausman’s ERA over his last two starts has dropped from 4.89 to 4.14, which is a hopeful sign that a Jays rotation is showing inconsistency.
Gausman’s only earned run came via Jays killer Nicky Lopez, who, in the five games facing Toronto this season is 9-18 (.500), including hitting two extra base in today’s game.
The White Sox added another run in the eighth but couldn’t muster up a comeback. Chicago’s offence continues to rank dead last in the Majors for batting average (.215) and OPS (.608).
In other news, before today’s game, the Blue Jays reinstated Chad Green from the IL and optioned Erik Swanson to Triple-A Buffalo. Green pitched a scoreless inning in his return to the squad and can help Toronto’s bullpen, which ranks 29th in ERA (4.95).
Toronto has the chance to sweep a series for the first time this season, as every game matters in terms of whether the squad will be buyers or sellers by the trade deadline. Alek Manoah (1-2, 3.97) looks to rebound from his lousy outing in Detroit, matching up against Chicago RHP Chris Flexen (1-2, 5.48).
