The Baltimore Orioles were once the Bad Bird team in the American League East. It is now the Toronto Blue Jays who’ve taken that mantle.
On Monday evening, the Blue Jays fell 7-2 to the Orioles, bringing their record to 28-31. After four series against sub .500 teams, this kind of loss is to be expected.
The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, as Anthony Santander hit his 11th home run of the season. It must be nice having a hitter with double-digit home runs.
Anthony Santander puts the @Orioles on the board! pic.twitter.com/PYYw796TLM
— MLB (@MLB) June 3, 2024
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It looked as if this was going to be a barn burner, as Daulton Varsho answered back in the bottom of the second with his third triple of the season, cashing in George Springer to cut the lead in half.
Daulton Varsho with the RBI triple to get the Blue Jays on the board! 😤 pic.twitter.com/vSMlQY8ori
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 3, 2024
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However, the Orioles took control of the game, as Colton Cowswer’s 12th double of the season drove in the game-winning run, before Austin Hays hit his first home run of the season to give the Orioles a 5-1 lead.
Austin Hays hits a two-run home run to give the Orioles a 5-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/zIfaREOr7y
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 4, 2024
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The following half inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo home run, his sixth of the season, to give the Jays their last run of the game. Hays hit his second home run in the top of the seventh, while Ramón Urías hit his third home run of the season in the top of the ninth.
Vladdy Jr. goes deep for a solo shot! 💥 pic.twitter.com/i4zx38NLES
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 4, 2024
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Things worth mentioning…
It was a rough game for Kevin Gausman, as the former Oriole finished with a line of 6.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K with three home runs to bring his season ERA to 4.60. Oof.
The bullpen was solid though. Brendon Little pitched two innings with a strikeout and two hits, while Ryan “Bill” Burr gave up an earned run, two hits, and struck out two in his inning and two thirds of work.
George Springer has been solid since moving down in the lineup, as he went 2-4 with a strikeout to bring his batting average up to .211. He’s not the 2021-2022 version of himself, but he’s been a lot better.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a home run on his bobblehead night, the second time he’s done that, back in 2022. Other players to have done this were Alex Rios in 2009, José Bautista in 2011, Troy Tulowitzki in 2016, and Josh Donaldson in 2017.
Blue Jays to hit a Home Run on their Bobblehead Day
Alex Rios: May 17, 2009
Jose Bautista: Apr 3, 2011
Troy Tulowitzki: Jul 3, 2016
Josh Donaldson: Jun 4, 2017
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: July 2, 2022 (Vlad Jr/ Vlad Sr Bobblehead)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr: Monday#TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/Ue2p3GTj00— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 4, 2024
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Daulton Varsho was one of two players with a multi-hit game, with the other being Guerrero Jr. who had a single and a home run. Bo Bichette had a double, Davis Schneider had a single, as did Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Notably, the Blue Jays didn’t draw any walks in this game.
Up next: The Blue Jays host their second of four on Tuesday, but their starter is yet to be determined. This would’ve been Alek Manoah’s spot, but he hit the 15-day Injured List. I’d expect either Yariel Rodríguez or Bowden Francis (likely the latter) to be activated off the Injured List.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.