The Jays topped the Orioles after breaking open what was a close game in the bottom of the 6th inning and holding on during a troublesome 8th. The offensive outburst was sorely needed and serves as a nice reminder of what the team’s lineup is capable of when things are going smoothly.
Starter J.A. Happ pitched adequately, leaving with a final line of 7.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 0 BB and 5 K on 95 pitches. He had some trouble in the 4th inning, where he squandered a 3-0 lead by surrendering four extra base hits, including homers to Chris Davis and Joey Rickard (who is now 10-19 lifetime against the Jays). Davis’s homer and 6th inning double were the first extra base hits the Happ had surrendered to a left handed batter this season. Happ’s only other damage came on a home run by Manny Machado in the 6th.
Toronto scored the first three runs of the day, with Justin Smoak scoring on a Ryan Goins triple in the 2nd and a pair of runs scoring in the 3rd on an Edwin Encarnacion double and Michael Saunders sac fly. The Jays had several opportunities but could never hang a crooked number on Baltimore starter Mike Wright.
Down 4-3 entering the 6th the Blue Jays would buck a season-long trend and finally pick up their starter, battering lefty reliever TJ McFarland on the way to five runs, with the big blow coming in the form of a three run blast by Encarnacion.
Joe Biagini entered in the 8th inning but could not retire any of the four batters he faced, eventually loading the bases and ceding way to Gavin Floyd. Floyd would limit the damage to two, preserving a 9-6 lead by inducing an inning-ending double play from catcher Francisco Pena.
In the bottom of the 8th, Edwin and Michael Saunders added some insurance in the form of back to back homers off of lefty Brian Duensing. It was Edwin’s 15th home run of the year and Saunders’s 6th off a left-handed pitcher.
Newcomer Jason Grilli would come in and finish off the Orioles with a trio of strikeouts to secure a 11-6 victory for the Blue Jays.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
Edwin Encarnacion’s mammoth three run dinger in the 6th was today’s top play of the day, accounting for a .209 WPA.
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
Francisco Pena authored today’s bottom WPA play by grounding into a double play and leaving the bases loaded in the top of the 8th. The play dropped Baltimore’s win probability by 17.3% (-.173 WPA).
The Lineup Comes Through
The Blue Jays scratched off 11 runs and 13 hits today, earning contributions from just about everyone who picked up a bat. The Jays had a runner reach base in every inning and had multiple baserunners in all but two innings. Toronto was also helped along by four sacrifice flies after only managing 10 all season prior to today’s game. The only starters to not record hits were Josh Thole and Justin Smoak, though Smoak walked twice and scored a run. Encarnacion had two homers, while Saunders, Darwin Barney and Kevin Pillar had multiple hit days, and pinch hitters Devon Travis and Russell Martin each recorded an RBI.
Edwin’s Awakening
Edwin Encarnacion’s walk off home run last night ended a 0-19 skid, and many were hopeful that it would be a sign of things to come. Edwin kept the good times rolling today, collecting two talks to go along with a double and two monster home runs. With five RBI to his name today, the Jays have to hope this is the start of one of Encarnacion’s patented hot streaks.
Up Next
The Jays will look to take three of four from Baltimore on Country Day at Rogers Center tomorrow afternoon. Ubaldo Jimenez (3-6, 6.21 ERA) will toe the rubber against Aaron Sanchez (5-1, 2.91 ERA). First pitch is slated for 1:07 PM EST.
Lead Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports