Bats explode as Toronto Blue Jays take down Baltimore Orioles 11-3

Apr 13, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Mark Buehrle (56) throws the ball in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays won their final game of a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles as the Jays’ offence finally woke up to score 11 runs on 17 hits, including three home runs to take two of three from the O’s at Camden.

W- Mark Buehrle (3-0) L- Ubaldo Jimenez (0-3)

In the first inning, Colby Rasmus hit his second home run of the series and third in 2014. Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion hit a pair of single but Dioner Navarro grounded out to strand them at first and third.

In the bottom of the first, Jonathan Diaz replaced Maicer Izturis at 2B and Ryan Goins moved over to shortstop. After Nick Markakis singled and Delmon Young doubled, Adam Jones scored Markakis on a ground out. Buerhle had some pitches hit hard but was able to get Jones, Chris Davis, and Matt Wieters in order.

In the bottom of the second inning, Mark Buerhle kicked into another gear after giving up a lead off double to Steve Pearce, to get J.J. Hardy, Steve Lombardozzi, and Jonathan Schoop (on strikes) in order.

The only hits Buehrle allowed after that was an Adam Jones single in the third and a Delmon Young single in the fifth. He finished the day with seven innings of five hit, one-run ball. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out two. He is now 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA.

The Blue Jays hitters would take over the game in the forth inning highlighted by a high fast bunt ,which so happened to be a suicide squeeze, by Jonathan Diaz to score Encarnacion, who had just  hit a ground rule double that the ball girl made a fine grab on. Lawrie then collected first of two hits on the day.

The sixth inning saw the Jays push five run across the plate with Brett Lawrie home run, singles by Ryan Goins, Colby Rasmus, Adam Lind, and doubles off the bats of  Melky Cabrera and Edwin Encarnacion. They scored more runs in this inning than they had in the previous two games.

In the bottom of the sixth, Moises Sierra replaced Colby Rasmus. Jose Bautista moved to CF and Moises Sierra took over in RF. Rasmus finished the day going 3-4 with a K, 2R, and 3 RBI. Originally it appeared he was pulled because the game was a blowout but it was revealed afterwards he was dealing with hamstring tightness and is now considered day-to-day.

In the top of the eigth, Jose Bautista launched his 5^th home run of the year off Josh Stinson’s 93 mhp fastball with Melky Cabrera and Moises Sierra on the board. This pushed the Jays’ lead to 11-1.

Esmil Rogers took over for Buehrle in the 8^th and gave up solo blasts to Chris Davis and Matt Wieters to make the score 11-3.

Note: the Jays infield started the game with the following batting averages: Encarnacion (.174), Goins (.083), Diaz (.211), Lind (.241),and Lawrie (.091). They finished the game with batting averages Encarnacion (.220), Goins (.107), Diaz (.174), Lind (.313), and Lawrie (.122). Not bad for a days work. It looks like these guys are starting to see the ball better, even just for one day.

Game Highlights:

Lawrie’s great grab

Rasmus’ Blast

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/69808956/v32049451/?c_id=mlb

Bautista’s Bomb

Buehrle’s solid outing

http://m.mlb.com/video/v32056441/?c_id=mlb