Blue Jays 6 Angels 1
The Jays got a great outing from their starting pitcher for the second night in a row. Kevin Gausman might not have been as good as Bowden Francis was yesterday, but he threw seven innings, giving up no runs, with six hits, two walks and five strikeouts. He was excellent. 106 pitches and 65 strikeouts, not the greatest of ratios, but it worked for him.
And again, we got on the scoreboard early.
In the first inning, George Springer (more on him later) started things off with a walk. After two ground outs, Spence Horwitz walked. Then Ernie Clement singled one home. Will Wagner doubled home two more (his fourth in his two-game MLB career). Have to congratulate the front office for picking him up.
In the third, we had back-to-back home runs from Vlad and Horwitz.
And one more in the eighth. Leo Jiménez doubled (after Wagner’s first MLB strikeout), and Joey Loperfido singled him home. It’s nice to see him get a hit. Hopefully, that will get him going.
We only had seven hits, but five were for extra bases. Wagner had two hits, tying him for the team record for hits in a rookie’s first two games (last done by Davis Schneider (also done by Danny Ainge), so I don’t think it means a sure Hall of Fame career) with five. What a great way to start, playing in front of your dad, Billy Wagner (who should be in the Hall).
Springer was ejected in the seventh inning. A pitch came in and hit him on the foot. Plate umpire Manny Gonzalez didn’t see it, but Springer felt in and got the team to challenge the call. Somehow, the review umpires didn’t see it. I don’t know how, but Springer was a bit surprised and had some words for Gonzalez. Nothing too bad it seemed, but Springer took a few steps away, likely to get his composure back and Gonzalez tossed him from the game.
When a player is walking away, umpires should never eject them. Even if they are saying something, the player isn’t showing up the umpire in this spot. Fans can’t tell if he’s calling the ump a blind SOB or anything. The game is personal for the players, but it shouldn’t be for the umpire.
Anyway, after being ejected, Springer lost it, and if it weren’t for Vlad’s strength, he likely would have gotten a suspension. I don’t remember Springer ever being that mad.
Ryan Burr pitched the eighth, getting three strikeouts. Erik Swanson gave up a solo homer in the ninth.
Jays of the Day: Gausman (.232 WPA) and Wagner (.164). Wagner has two MLB games and two JoDs. He must be proud. Honourable mention to Clement.
No one gets the Other Award. Varsho had the low mark at -.041.
Tomorrow, the Jays go for the split. It is Juan Berrios (10-9, 3.97) vs. Tyler Anderson (9-10, 2.99)