For the first time this season, the Toronto Blue Jays have swept a team.
On Wednesday, they took on the Chicago White Sox for the final time this season, defeating the basement-dwelling team 3-1 to move their record to 26-29. Too bad the Jays can’t play them for the remaining 107 games.
The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the third inning, as Bo Bichette drove in Davis Schneider to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. Although the run scored, it would’ve been nice if Justin Turner didn’t immediately ground into a double play, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Bo Bichette gives the Jays their first lead of the night. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aEves5E6Z8
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 30, 2024
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Toronto’s second run was scored in the following inning, as Isiah Kiner-Falefa drove in George Springer with a single to give the Jays a 2-0, which happened to be the game-winning run.
IKF is on an 8-game hit streak! pic.twitter.com/t8BCPylOSL
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 30, 2024
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That wasn’t all Kiner-Falefa did on Wednesday, as he also drove in the third run of the game in the top of the sixth, this one was technically a force out as Alejandro Kirk had to wait for the ball to drop, but the ball landed on the outfield grass and gave Toronto a 3-1 lead.
Chicago scored a run off Jordan Romano in the bottom of the ninth to cut the lead to two runs, but it didn’t matter, as the Canadian reliever recorded the save.
Things worth mentioning…
Alek Manoah left the game due to “right elbow discomfort” in the bottom of the second, it’s too bad too as it looked as if it was going to be another gem for him. He pitched an inning and two thirds and struck out three prior to the injury. He’ll have an MRI on the elbow on Thursday.
Alek Manoah will undergo an MRI tomorrow. He felt some discomfort in his elbow after his last outing in Detroit but was fine during a bullpen between starts.
He said he felt a “pinchy” sensation on last pitch tonight.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) May 30, 2024
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Trevor Richards once again showed how important he is to the Blue Jays bullpen. While he didn’t strikeout any batters in his 3.1 innings pitched, he allowed just two base runners and allowed the Jays to use their one-inning pitchers in the sixth.
Absolute NAILS 👏 pic.twitter.com/FfuQ5Jf8FJ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 30, 2024
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The bullpen (minus Trevor Richards) had a good day at the office. Tim Mayza, Zach Pop, Yimi García, and Jordan Romano combined for a line of 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, while García pitched the only clean inning. Mayza walked one, Pop allowed a hit and struck out a batter, and Romano allowed a home run.
On the hitting side of things, both Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk had a two-hit game, both hitting two singles. Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a hit but should’ve had two, while George Springer had the team’s only extra-base hit, a double. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a single as well. Kiner-Falefa had a great game, making two nice catches as well.
Come for sweets talk, and stay for the Isiah Kiner-Falefa sweet catch. 😋 pic.twitter.com/noNv2MMR0E
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 30, 2024
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Up next: The Blue Jays return home to play the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday at 7:07 PM ET. José Berríos will start the game for the Blue Jays, while the Pirates’ starter is yet to be determined. With the off-day on Thursday, every reliever should be available to pitch, hopefully.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.