Blue Jays beat the Mariners 8-2 to avoid the sweep

Trying to avoid the sweep at home the Blue Jays sent out Aaron Sanchez to the mound. Aaron Sanchez is on a two gaming losing streak and looking to pick up his third win in the month of May. The Seattle Mariners sent out struggling youngster Taijuan Walker.

Brad Miller started out the game with a lead off walk. Seth Smith followed that up with a single to right center field. Robinson Cano hit into a 4-6-3 double play supported by Ryan Goins with a great turn to convert the double play. Nelson Cruz hit the ball to shortstop and once again Ryan Goins made a great play to throw him out at 1st base.

Kyle Seager led off the bottom of the 2nd inning with a solo home run. That marked his 2nd in the last two games giving the Mariners a 1-0 lead.

The Blue Jays picked up their first base runner of the game with a Chris Colabello walk in the 2nd inning. Nothing could come of it after Taijuan Walker retired the next three batters he faced.

Chris Taylor hit a lead off single in the top of the 3rd inning. Seth Smith was issued a one out walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Aaron Sanchez was able to induce an easy ground ball to Ryan Goins and picked up a key 6-3 double play.

Munenori Kawasaki picked up the Blue Jays 2nd walk of the game with one out in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Walker retired both Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin to strand the runner at first base.

Logan Morrison hit a solid double to right field with two outs in the top of the 4th inning. No damage was done as Welington Castillo ground out to end the inning.

Edwin Encarnacion led off the bottom of the 4th inning with the 3rd walk of the game. Again, Taijuan Walker was able to escape without being punished for the walk by retiring the next three batters he faced.

Chris Taylor picked up a one out single in the top of the 5th inning. Russell Martin must have sensed the base runner was going to be on the move. He called for a high fastball to strike out Brad Miller and was able to throw out Chris Taylor trying to steal 2nd base for a beautiful strike’em out throw’em double play.

Kevin Pillar broke up the no hitter with a bloop single to right field leading off the bottom of the 5th inning. Ryan Goins blasted a no doubt two run home run to right field to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead. Russell Martin extended the inning with a two out double to center field. Edwin Encarnacion hit the 2nd no doubt two run home run of the inning to vault the Blue Jays to a 4-1 lead.

Ryan Goins picked up a two walk. Munenori Kawasaki followed that up with a two out single to put runners on 1st and 3rd. That chased Taijuan Walker from the game. Danny Farquhar came into to face Josh Donaldson. Josh Donaldson struck out for the 3rd time in the game.

Kyle Seager picked up his 2nd hit of the game to lead off the top of the 7th inning. Kyle advanced to 2nd base on a wild pitch by Aaron Sanchez. Logan Morrison ground out and advanced the runner to 3rd base. Welington Castillo hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score the runner on 3rd base. Dustin Ackley hit a single to left field and that marked the end of the afternoon for Aaron Sanchez. Roberto Osuna came in to get the last out of the inning.

Edwin Encarnacion hit a one out infield single towards 2nd base. Chris Colabello hit a double off the wall in right field to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Justin Smoak hit an RBI single to center field that also advanced Chris Colabello to 3rd base. Ezequiel Carrera bunted for the 2nd infield single of the inning scoring another run for the Blue Jays. Kevin Pillar drew a walk to load up the bases. Ryan Goins drew a tough walk to pick up a free RBI. Steven Tolleson came into the game pinch hitting for Munenori Kawasaki and hit into a double play. Josh Donaldson struck out swinging for his 4th strikeout of the game to end the inning.

Aaron Loup and Liam Hendriks pitched the 8th and 9th allowing only a single hit to close out the game.

Game Notes:

• Ryan Goins showed very little discomfort from his Saturday ankle turn. Showed great range and defensive prowess manning the shortstop position.
• The defense came through with some timely double plays when they needed it most. Aaron Sanchez allowed 9 base runners but the defense really helped him out of trouble.
• Aaron Sanchez pitched well. Home plate umpire Tony Randazzo was calling the outside pitch on the left side of the plate all day for both pitchers. Aaron made use of that a few times to get some key ground balls and strike outs.
• Chris Colabello continues to hit the ball well since his call up. He hit a single and a double. He drew a walk and also scored a run. He raised his average to .386.
• The bullpen pitched very well to finish off the game. The Blue Jays are in need of good pitching from both the starters and relievers and they got that today.

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