Blue Jays thump Orioles as Michael Saunders scores a hat trick

Michael Saunders had the game of a lifetime, launching three home runs – just barely missing a fourth – and driving in eight as the Toronto Blue Jays blew out the Baltimore Orioles 13-3 on Friday night.

Starter Aaron Sanchez stumbled out of the gates, loaded the bases with none out in the first frame but managed to escape with just one run allowed. Sanchez and Orioles’ starter Mike Wright combined to throw a whopping 69 pitches in the first inning.

Sanchez loaded them up again in the second, but was saved by a brilliant defensive play from Darwin Barney who made a diving grab and doubled up Manny Machado at home plate. Sanchez then buckled down, giving the Blue Jays six innings of two-run ball on seven hits, striking out six and allowing just one fly ball out.

Drew Storen and Chad Girodo were the first two to follow Sanchez out of the bullpen, both pitching a clean inning with one strikeout. Despite the large lead, Roberto Osuna worked the ninth inning as he hadn’t pitched since June 10th, allowing a solo shot to Ryan Flaherty.

Justin Smoak sent one of his own over the right-field wall in the top of the third to put the Blue Jays up 6-2, bringing in Russell Martin who had just reached on a deep double to the right-centre gap. Later in the inning, Josh Donaldson tripled in a pair of runs to reach base for his 10th consecutive at-bat.

Donaldson also hit his 17th home run of the season, a solo shot, driving in three runs on the night. He went 2-for-4 with a walk and raised his season average to .280. Darwin Barney contributed a pair of hits from the bottom of the lineup, going 2-for-4.

Toronto sends R.A. Dickey to the mound for the second game of the series tomorrow at 4:05 ET to face Baltimore’s Yovani Gallardo.