Blue Jays Defeat Twins, Gain Ground in Wild Card Race
![Sept. 11, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder George Springer (4) puts on "The Blue Jacket" after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F16734569-850x560-cfb974be7b14f8ebcfa9561ddecb84f9.jpg)
The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Minnesota Twins last night in Game 3 of this four-game series by a score of 6-1.
The New York Yankees were also victorious in their game over the Boston Red Sox last night. With the Yankees win, the Red Sox loss, and the Blue Jays win, New York and Boston are now tied in the Wild Card race, while Toronto sits 2.0 games behind both teams.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners lost their game last night to the Los Angeles Angels. Seattle is now a full game back of the Blue Jays in the standings.
Blue Jays bats heat up, Ray has another solid start
After putting up a combined three runs in the first two games of this series, the Blue Jays bats came to life last night.
Toronto put up six runs on the Minnesota Twins pitching staff, with four of those six runs coming off the Twins bullpen. The Twins relief pitchers had pitched 7 & 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball in the first two games of this series.
On the mound, CY Young candidate Robbie Ray had another solid start. The left-hander pitched 6 innings, giving up 1 run, walking 4, and striking out 6. The four batters walked was uncharacteristic for Ray, but nevertheless, another quality start for the 29-year-old. Ray’s ERA for the season now sits at 2.72.
Semien hits a historic homerun, Springer gets back on the scoresheet
Marcus Semien’s 2021 season continues to impress. After hitting his 43rd homerun of the season last night, Semien has now tied Davey Johnson for the most homeruns hit by a second basemen in a single season.
After defeating the Minnesota Twins in Game 3 of their series, the Blue Jays now sit 2.0 games behind the Yankees and Red Sox in the Wild Card picture.
Semien’s campaign this season has been truly spectacular. It’s looking more and more likely that two of the top three vote-getters in the American League MVP race will be members of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Another off-season acqusition from last season? George Springer. Springer has struggled mightily since returning from the IL, but the Blue Jays center fielder got back on the score sheet last night with a two-run homerun in the 7th inning.
Although fans on social media have been expressing their concerns over Springer’s cold streak as of late, it looked like no one was more relieved to see that ball leave the ballpark than Springer himself. His at bat prior was a strike out swinging, followed by a bat and helmet smash on the ground where the Blue Jays leadoff hitter was visibly frustrated with himself. His next at bat was a 398 foot homerun to left field, followed by Springer donning the homerun jacket and dancing in the dugout.
Blue Jays Get an Upgrade at Third Base with Return of Espinal. dark. Next
The Blue Jays take on the Twins in the final game of this series today at 2:10PM ET.