Perhaps in an effort to make up for yesterday’s no-show, the Blue Jays bats were active early and often this afternoon. They jumped on Philadelphia’s Zach Eflin in his major league debut to the tune of nine runs in just two and two thirds innings.
The damage to Eflin was unrelenting, as the Jays scored runs in each of the the innings he started. Russell Martin ripped a single up the middle to score Josh Donaldson in the bottom of the 1st. Kevin Pillar hit a home run to lead off the 2nd and then Donaldson drove home Jose Bautista with a two out double. The 3rd saw a two run wallscraper off the bat of Ezequiel Carrera and then grand slam from the reigning AL MVP.
Toronto’s offensive output ceased until the 7th, when a Donaldson walk was followed by a deep home run from Edwin Encarnacion in his return from a jammed finger. Edwin’s two RBI today pushed him past David Ortiz into first place in the American League.
All in all, every starter would reach base at least once. The offense was led by three hit games from Donaldson and Pillar and two hit games from Carrera, Encarnacion and Devon Travis. Seven different Jays scored runs today, with three scoring multiple times. In total the team would rack up 14 hits and five walks in addition to two runners who reached on errors, occupying the minds of Philadelphia pitchers all day long.
On the other side of the ball, Marcus Stroman pitched well with a large cushion, cruising through seven innings without much stress. He improved his record to 6-2 on the season, ending the day with a line of 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB and 6K on 100 pitches. Aaron Loup would give up a run in the 8th and Gavin Floyd worked a clean 9th to secure the win.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
Today’s top play of the game came courtesy of Russell Martin, whose RBI single in the bottom of the 1st inning was good for a .106 WPA. It says something about how out of hand this game was that the top play by leverage occurred in the first inning.
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
Despite a nice game overall, Ezequiel Carrera’s inning-ending groundout in the 1st inning with two runners in scoring position is today’s bottom play of the game, notching a -.050 WPA. Clearly it didn’t end up hurting too much…
Donaldson Gets It Done
Donaldson extended his hitting streak to seven games in the 1st inning, doubling off the right field wall. In his second at bat, he crushed a double to the right center gap, scoring Jose Bautista from first. With two outs and the bases loaded in the third, The Bringer of Rain turned into the Bringer of Runs by scorching a grand slam to left field on the third pitch of the at bat.
JD would finish the game going 3-4 with two doubles, a grand slam, five RBI and a walk and his usual steady defense at the hot corner. Not a bad day at the office.
Sore Saunders
Michael Saunders exited the game in the 3rd inning with hamstring tightness. Given the big lead, it was a perfect opportunity to get the left fielder some extra rest. While the move seems more precautionary than anything, Saunders is listed as day-to-day and it’s unknown whether Saunders will play tomorrow.
Darwin Barney was called on to pinch hit and took over at shortstop, pushing Ryan Goins into left field. The team has been toying with the idea of playing him in the outfield on occasion and today gave John Gibbons a chance to give Goins some low leverage practice out in left.
Up Next
After splitting two games in Toronto, the Jays will head to The City of Batteries Brotherly Love for two more against the Phillies. Tomorrow night will have Marco Estrada (4-2, 2.57 ERA) take on Jeremy Hellickson (4-4, 4.34 ERA), with first pitch from Citizens Bank Park slated for 7:07 PM EST.
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