Gausman Throws 8 Shutout Innings, Jays Beat Guardians

Blue Jays 6 Guardians 0

The worrisome part of today’s game was that Vladimir Guerrero left after being hit by a pitch on the inside of the right forearm. He stayed in the game to run the bases but came out in the defensive half of the inning. Apparently, X-rays are negative. Vlad was pissed off, but I don’t think you hit a guy intentionally on a 2-2 count. Of course, he got hit yesterday as well.

Kevin Gausman hit Jose Ramirez in the next inning. That one, more intentional, but I like Gausman sticking up for his teammate. Ramirez left the game too. Guardian’s manager had some words for John Schneider later.

Kevin Gausman was having a rough June, but he was great today. Eight innings of two-hit ball, one walk, and six strikeouts. He was in control all the way. It was good to see. Chad Green pitched the ninth and didn’t give up a home run!

An the offense did enough. Six hits (all singles), six runs. We scored:

• Three in the third: Jonatan Clase led off with a single. Tyler Heineman was hit by pitch. Myles Straw put down a sac bunt and reached on an error by Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo. After Bo Bichette struck out, Nathan Lukes singled home two. Then Vlad got hit with the pitch, and a wild pitch scored the third run.
• Three in the ninth: Addison Barger started it with a single. Ernic Clement walked. An out later, Clase walked. Alejandro Kirk singled, scoring two, and the third run scored on an error by Steven Kwan in left field.

Beyond that, we didn’t have many baserunners. Straw was the only Jay with two hits (plus reaching on the error on the sac bunt).

Jays of the Day: Gausman (.396 WPA), Lukes (.165), and Straw (.148).

Other Award: Bo (-.119, 0 for 5, 2 strikeouts).

Tomorrow the Jays start a series in Boston. Jose Berrios (3-3, 3.51) vs. Brayan Bello (3-2, 3.31).