Blue Jays 4 Angels 2
I had kind of written off the chances of Bowden Francis becoming a starting pitcher for the Blue Jays, but I might have been wrong.
Tonight, he pitched seven innings (the longest start of his career) and allowed just one hit (a Michey Moniak home run), no walks, and eight strikeouts. He threw 81 pitches, 57 of them strikes. The Angels aren’t the most gifted offensive team, but giving up just one hit in seven innings is great work against any MLB team. It makes me think we might not need to sign another front-line starter for next season.
His first seven inning start of his career. Next year, if he is a starter out of camp, he should be allowed to throw a few more pitches in his starts.
Also showing well was Will Wagner, who had hits in his first three at-bats in the majors. He doubled in his first at-bat and singled in his next two. The double was hit 104.5 mph. He also made a very nice play at second base in the eighth inning. Defense isn’t his strong point, but if he can make plays like that occasionally, we’d be happy with him at second. All usual sample size warnings.
Leo Jiménez hit his first MLB home run, a two-run shot in the third inning (driving in Wagner).
All four Jays runs came in the fourth inning. Vlad started it with a one-out double (he had two hits and a walk today). Spencer Horwitz followed with a ground-rule double. An out later (Alejandro Kirk was robbed on a full-count pitch, Wagner doubled, and Jiménez hit his home run.
We had nine hits and five walks in all. Three of those walks were Steward Berroa’s. He showed a good eye at the plate. The only Jays not to hit were Varsho (who took a walk and was robbed of a double in the ninth by a Jo Adell jumping catch right at the wall in right), Joey Loperfido (who is having a tough start to his Jays career, but he’ll continue to be in the lineup, they want to see him). Well, Berroa had an 0 for as well, but had the three walks.
Zach Pop and Genesis Cabrera shared a scoreless eighth.
Chad Green gave up a lead-off homer in the ninth, scaring us.
Jays of the Day: Francis (.302 WPA), Wagner (.149) and I’m giving one to Jiménez (.071) for the home run. Honourable mention to Vlad (.070).
The Other Award: Kirk had the low mark (-.080), but he led Francis through a great start, so I can’t give him the award.
Tomorrow it is Kevin Gausman (10-8, 4.42) vs. Carson Fulmer (0-2, 3.74) in another late start, 9:30 Eastern.