Kevin Gausman threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings en route to helping the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Washington Nationals 6-3.
After Toronto’s bullpen gave up eight unanswered runs in yesterday’s loss, they locked down and helped secure the victory to even the series against the Nationals.
The Nationals’ defence had a rough start to the game as they made three errors in the top of the first, allowing the Blue Jays to jump to an early 4-0 lead. Between those errors, the Jays took advantage as a Justin Turner single, Daniel Vogelbach fielder’s choice and a Danny Jansen double plated each of the four runs.
Despite giving up four unearned runs, Nationals starter Jake Irvin pitched five innings, allowing five hits, walking one and striking out four while taking the loss.
On the other side, Kevin Gausman had another strong outing, pitching 5 1/3 innings, giving up three hits, walking two and striking out eight, putting Toronto in a good spot.
However, the Blue Jays bullpen made things a little interesting. Nate Pearson entered the game with a runner on first and one out, he then proceeded to hit the first and walk the second batter he faced, loading the bases for C.J. Abrams, who then hit a 400 ft long sacrifice fly to get the Nationals on the board at 4-1. Pearson then gave up a single to Nick Senzel, cutting the lead to 4-2.
Tim Mayza, was then called upon to relieve Pearson. With two on and two out, facing the hero of last night’s game, Mayza struck out Luis Garcia Jr. on five pitches to preserve the lead.
The Blue Jays, looking for some more offensive support would get it in the top of the 8th. The speedy Kevin Kiermaier who had been reinstated from the 15 day Injured list would give them that support. After two outs and a Danny Jansen single in between, Kiermaier hit a two run home run off of Derek Law to extend the Toronto lead to 6-2.
Looking ahead in the bottom of the 9th, the Jays brought in closer Jordan Romano, but the Nationals wouldn’t go away so quietly.
After getting the first out, Romano allowed two to reach base, he would then strike out Nick Senzel for the second out before a Luis Garcia Jr. single pushed the deficit to 6-3. Romano then got Joey Meneses to line out to Daulton Varsho in left field to secure the victory and even the series at one game apiece.
The Blue Jays will look to take the series finale, as they send Alek Manoah to the mound to make his season debut. Manoah sports an 0-2 record, an 8.69 ERA, with 28 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched between Low-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo as he looks to return to his All-Star form. The Nationals will send MacKenzie Gore (2-3, 3.19) for the rubber match of the series, tomorrow afternoon.
