Blue Jays beat Orioles in slug fest 10-7: Recap

Sunday afternoon was the rubber match of the series. Both teams looking to get a series win. The Toronto Blue Jays sent out Drew Hutchison while the Orioles countered with Chris Tillman.

Jose Reyes continued his great start to the year by leading off the game with a well hit single. Dalton Pompey hit the ball hard to right field off the fence. The umpires needed a short review but the double was ruled a home run and gave the Blue Jays a quick 2-0 lead. Edwin Encarnacion and Dioner Navarro were stranded aboard the bases after they each hit singles.

The Orioles answered back in the bottom of the 1st. Drew Hutchison hit Steve Pearce to put him aboard. Chris Davis made it to first on a fielders choice. Adam Jones then hit a no doubt home run to center field tying up the game 2-2.

Kevin Pillar led off the 2nd inning with a solo home run giving the Blue Jays the lead again. Jose Reyes golfed a double into the right field corner for his second hit of the game. He was then stranded after the Blue Jays hit a popup and fly out to end the inning.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Blue Jays: Alek Manoah on pace to succeed in possible postseason
• Blue Jays: Bradley Zimmer has carved himself a valuable role
• Anthony Bass has been the shutdown reliever the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open to a long-term contract
• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time

Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson started the 3rd inning with back to back walks. Dioner Navarro got on base by a fielders choice setting up 1st and 3rd with only one out. Russell Martin loaded up the bases with the 3rd walk of the inning. Devon Travis hit a double driving in all 3 runners. The double was ruled a fielding error by Travis Snider despite the ball going over Snider`s head. Jose Reyes picked up his 3rd hit of the afternoon with a single and drove in Devon Travis from 2nd base extending the lead to 7-2.

The Orioles not wanting to go away quietly responded in the bottom of the 3rd. Alejandro De Aza made it to first base after striking out due to a wild pitch. Steve Pearce walked giving the Orioles men on 1st and 2nd. Chris Davis and Adam Jones hit back to back singles to drive in a pair of runs making it a 7-4 game.

Jose Bautista led off the 4th inning with a walk. Josh Donaldson hit a double to the gap in right. Dioner Navarro hit a sack fly to bring in Jose Bautista increasing the lead to 8-4.

Steve Pearce led off the bottom of the 5th with a single for the Orioles. Adam Jones got on base by being the 2nd player hit by pitch on the day, setting up 1st and 2nd with only one out. Travis Snider hit a 3 run home run to center field making it an 8-7 game. That home run chased Drew Hutchison out of the game. Aaron Loup came into the game to close out the inning.

The Blue Jays got some much needed insurance runs after a Jose Bautista 2 run home run in the 8th inning. Dalton Pompey came in to score on the play giving the Blue Jays a 10-7 lead.

Miguel Castro came into the 9th inning to close out the game. While it was a little scary Miguel Castro did complete the save without giving up any runs.

Game Notes:

• Starting pitching was once again an issue in Baltimore. Drew Hutchison had a tough day at the office with a line of 4.1 IP, 5 K, 7 ER.
• Timely double plays have been the story of the series. The Jays turned another in a key spot today bringing the total to 6 in the series.
• Kevin Pillar showed great range and soft hands making a couple key diving catches.
• Devon Travis got robbed of a double and 3 RBI after a ruling that his hit was an error on Travis Snider. Snider made a bad route to the ball but it got over his head. While Devon`s official numbers don`t show it he did hit the ball very well today.
• Patience at the plate with a mix of power and small ball provided plenty of runs. The Jays were able to extend their counts early and get 6 walks. Timely singles and doubles were able to drive in needed runs.
• Power bats were also on display with 3 home runs. Dalton Pompey, Kevin Pillar, and Jose Bautista all showing power bats driving in 5 runs via home run.
• The bullpen had a tall order to fill. They needed to pick up 4.2 innings of work. They did incredible and got credit for today`s win. They had a combined line of 4.2 IP 4 K and 0 ER

Grades:

Next: Alex Anthopoulos' Draft Gurus

More from Jays Journal

• Blue Jays: Alek Manoah on pace to succeed in possible postseason
• Blue Jays: Bradley Zimmer has carved himself a valuable role
• Anthony Bass has been the shutdown reliever the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open to a long-term contract
• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time