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Recap: Blue Jays 13, Orioles 3; Michael Saunders for MVP

The Blue Jays have scored 51 first-inning runs this year, including three tonight against the Orioles. Michael Saunders hit his first homerun of the night to left field in the top of the first inning, cashing in Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion. Aaron Sanchez labored through the first inning, and the Orioles got one back in the bottom half of the inning. He managed to put together six quality innings, before he gave way to Drew Storren. Josh Donaldson continued to be locked in tonight, starting with a homerun in the 3rd and a 2-run RBI triple in the top of the 4th, his 4th triple of the year. He then scored, which brought his run total to 59 on the year, the second best in the league behind Mookie Betts of the Red Sox.

Mike Wright didn’t make it out of the 4th inning, unable to beat the Blue Jays in his 8 career starts against the Jays. Michael Saunders then homered for the second time to left field to push the Jays’ lead to 11-2, and he wasn’t finished with two. Saunders got the hat-trick in the top of the 6th inning, hitting a homerun to right field. He tied the record for most RBI for a Canadian in a single game, sending 8 runners across the dish.

Top Play of the Game by WPA

Michael Saunders got the Blue Jays night going early with a three-run homerun to left field in the first inning (.188).

Bottom Play of the Game by WPA

In the bottom of the third inning, the Orioles loaded the bases and Johnathon Schoop came to the plate with one out. He hit a ball down the right field line into no-man’s land, but Darwin Barney tracked it down, and made a spectacular throw to Russel Martin to get Manny Machado who had tagged at third base (-.177).

Bautista Boo-Boo

The Blue Jays will have to continue smashing the baseball around the park without Jose Bautista who has been placed on the 15-day disabled list after he ran into the ball trying to track down a ball in Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Trend to Watch

The two, three, and four hitters for the Jays have gotten hot in the last 2 weeks. Over their last 15 games, Donaldson, Encarnacion, and Saunders have combined for 16 homeruns and 47 RBI. The Jays are 10-5 during that stretch.

Up Next

The Jays are back at it tomorrow afternoon against the Orioles. R.A Dickey will take the hill against Yovani Gallardo, who is coming off the disabled list, tomorrow at 4:07 pm.

Lead Photo: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

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1 comment on “Recap: Blue Jays 13, Orioles 3; Michael Saunders for MVP”

Arjonn

Is it purely coincidental that every prior Canadian who hit 3 HR in an MLB game also won an MVP award? :p

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