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Instant Reaction: Justin Turner’s two home runs helped the Jays defeat the Royals 6-5

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For the first time since April 6, the Blue Jays have scored more than five runs.

Not just that, but they needed to score six runs, as they defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-5 to move to 15-15 for the season.

It didn’t start off great for the Jays, as they went down 2-0 in the top of the first as Michael Massey grounded to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and after review, the runner was deemed safe, thus continuing the inning and extending Kansas’ lead to two.

But unlike many other games this season, the Blue Jays were able to tie it in the following half inning, as Justin Turner hit his first home run as a Blue Jay at Rogers Centre, and his third this season.

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And then he did it again in the bottom of the third to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead, a lead they never relinquished. There isn’t much more to be said other than what a signing by the Jays, Turner has been nothing short of great this season.

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In the same inning, Danny Jansen hit his second home run of the season to make it a 4-2 game, which was needed, as the Royals added their third run in the next half inning. With Jansen returning from injury, this has allowed Alejandro Kirk to rest and become useful with the bat again.

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The rope-a-dope continued as Davis Schneider singled in a run in the bottom of the fifth, with the Royals answering in the top of the sixth, before the Jays added their final run in the bottom half of that inning.

That run, the sixth one, was driven in by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and it was Addison Barger scoring his first big league run after his first big league hit. More of this from Vladdy, please.

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Freddy Fermin hit a home run in the top of the eighth to make it 6-5, and the Royals had runners on the corners in the top of the ninth, but Nate Pearson struck out Michael Massey for the final out of the game.

Things worth mentioning…

Addison Barger hit his first big league hit on Monday and was the game-winning run. Hopefully, he’ll get going soon and hit some bombs, because he’s capable of it.

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Davis Schneider is an everyday player, there really isn’t much of a debate any longer. Yes, there may be a hole with fastballs high in the zone, but he hits righties tremendously and went 2-4 with an RBI on Monday.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was one of four Blue Jays with multi-hit games, as he, Schneider, Justin Turner, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all had two hits. The only starter without a hit was Cavan Biggio, but he still reached base twice.

Yariel Rodríguez made another start, finishing with a line of 3.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER (3 R), 3 BB, 1 K. He’s only had three strikeouts his last two games and his ERA has jumped to 4.11, but there’s a lot to like.

Nate Pearson picked up his second career save in the big leagues, allowing two hits while striking out the final batter. His season ERA now sits at 1.80.

Erik Swanson just doesn’t look right so far this season, which makes sense with the injury. He gave up a home run in his inning of work, but fought back and got the remaining three outs in the inning.

Up next: The Blue Jays have a chance to win the series as they’ll host the Royals in the second game of a three-game series on Tuesday. José Berríos will take the mound for the Jays, and will be opposed by Cole Ragans.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.