The story of the Toronto Blue Jays this season has been their struggle to score runs. But, in Saturday afternoon’s game, the bats came alive as they slugged their way to even the series at one.
Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.78) was on the bump to make his 8th start of the year, opposing him for the Twins was Simeon Wood Richardson (1-0, 1.74).
However, neither starter had a good outing. Gausman threw just 3 innings, allowing six runs on ten hits, while walking two and striking out six. Woods Richardson lasted a little longer, throwing 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out two.
Both offences had a day, combining for 29 hits which scored a total of 18 runs. The Blue Jays would pull out the victory, winning 10-8.
The game didn’t start off well for Toronto. In the top of the 1st, Carlos Correa got the offence started with an RBI single to score the first run for the Twins. Alex Kirilloff would also hit an RBI single to double the lead to 2-0. Unfortunately on the same play, Davis Schneider would make an error in left field, allowing Carlos Correa to come across and score the third run in the inning.
The Twins would score again in the top of the 2nd, thanks to a Trevor Larnach RBI single, extending the lead to 4-0.
The Blue Jays would get that run back in the bottom half, as Bo Bichette hit a solo home run to get his squad on the board. It was Bichette’s first home run of the season and his first since September 24, 2023, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Minnesota would respond, scoring three runs in the top of the 3rd to push their lead to 7-1. A Carlos Correa walk and a Willi Castro double would set up noted Blue Jay killer Carlos Santana. His career success against Toronto would continue when he hit a three run home run to extend the Twins’ lead to 7-1. The Twins looked like they were going to score their 8th run on a Trevor Larnach single, however, Davis Schneider would throw out Edouard Julien at home plate, ending the inning and keeping the score at 7-1.
The boys of summer didn’t quit so quickly, slowly chipping away in the bottom of the 3rd. Toronto would score two runs, thanks to a Daulton Varsho double and a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. single to cut their deficit to 7-3.
The Twins would get one of the two runs back in the top half of the 4th, with Ryan Jeffers hitting a solo shot to extend the lead to 8-3.
From there, Minnesota wouldn’t score anymore runs as the Blue Jays would make a comeback to secure a much needed win.
Davis Schneider would lead off the bottom of the 5th with a solo shot to cut Minnesota’s lead in half. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would get on base with a single, two batters later, Danny Jansen hit a two run homer to shorten the lead to 8-6.
An inning later, in the bottom of the 6th, the Blue Jays would complete their comeback. Cavan Biggio got it going with a one out single, Davis Schneider would later single with two outs, advancing Biggio to third. Schneider then stole second before Daulton Varsho loaded the bases with a walk. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who went 4 for 5 in the game, would step up to the plate, hitting a two run single that would score Biggio and Schneider to tie the game at 8-8.
The Twins would escape the jam, but not for long as the Jays would take the lead in the bottom of the 7th. Danny Jansen lead off the inning with a single to right, Bo Bichette then lined out before Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled to put the go ahead run on second with just one out. George Springer entered the game, pinch hitting for Cavan Biggio. Springer had been held from the starting lineup in the previous two games due to illness and even though he was still not 100%, he did his job, drawing a walk and loading the bases with one out. Ernie Clement would be the one to break the tie, hitting an RBI single to give the Blue Jays a 9-8 lead. Shortly after, the Jays would extend their lead to 10-8, thanks to a Davis Schneider sacrifice fly.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen did their job to hold the lead for their bats, with Trevor Richards and Yimi Garcia pitching perfect 7th and 8th innings, respectively.
Jordan Romano would come on to close the game for the Blue Jays. He indeed did that, securing his sixth save in six attempts on the year and giving the Jays a 10-8 win to even their series against the Twins.
Toronto’s offence gave glimpses of what they looked like just a year ago, scoring 10 runs on 15 hits to give them their first win with double digit runs. Notable performances included Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (4 for 5, three RBI, one run) and Davis Schneider (3 for 4, one HR, two RBI, three runs).
The Blue Jays will send Alek Manoah (0-0, 13.50) for his second start of the season. He will face Bailey Ober (3-1, 4.42) as both teams try to secure the rubber match of the series tomorrow afternoon.
