Jays 9 Mariners 1
What a difference a series makes. The Jays went into Seattle three games under five hundred and their offense sputtering. Over the series they not only outscored the Mariners 21-7, but they pulled their record back to even, 2.5 games back of the division leader. The finale was especially satisfying as the Jays scored early to run away with the game.
Jose Urena started the game, matching up against Seattle starter Bryce Miller. Urena gave up a lead off double, but worked around it and a one out walk to get out of the inning. With two out in the 2nd, Lukes punched a single into left, Clement followed with a chip shot into right that hung up long enough for Lukes to make third. Straw hit one up the middle to score Lukes. Dylan Moore chased Urena from the game in the third with a bomb to left center, knotting the game up 1-1 and bringing in Matt Lauer. Lauer gave up a walk to Raleigh, but Clement was able to corral a short throw and make a spinning, sliding tag to catch him stealing to end the inning.
With one out in the 4th, Kirk doubled to left field and went to third on a single by Lukes. Clement hit a ball to deep left that Arozarena nearly lost in the sun to sacrifice home Kirk to make it 2-1. Arozarena led of the bottom of the inning with a single that Bichette just missed coming up with. Fortunately, old friend Tellez ground into a doubleplay to clear the bases and Garver popped out to end the inning.
In the top of the 5th, with two out, Guerrero singled to left and Barger worked a walk to put two on for George Springer, who blasted the third pitch for a no doubt three run shot to deep left field. Lauer continued his strong outing, striking out the side to end the inning. In the 6th, Lukes walked and Clement hit a bloop single, and Straw dropped a sacrifice bunt. Clase laced a double a double to left-centre to drive in both runs. In the bottom of the sixth, Straw flashed the leather, running down a sharply sinking bloop into centre from Julio Rodriguez.
In the top of the 7th, Barger hit a rocket over the right field fence off Collin Snider to lea off the inning. Springer nearly made it back to back jacks as he doubled off the wall. Lukes would single him in to make it 9-1. Lauer pitched well, going 4.2 innings without any runs and five strikeouts. Yariel Rodriguez came in and got Garver to swing over a slider for strike three.
In the 9th, the Mariners waved the white flag, bringing in second baseman Leo Rivas to pitched. Barger greeted Rivas’ eephus pitches with a single, but Springer ground into a double-play. Heineman singled into right, Lukes walked on four pitches, and Clement singled to load the bases with two out for Straw. Straw hit it to deep left field but not far enough. Braydon Fisher came in with an eight run lead against the top of the Mariner’s order. Crawford singled but an acrobatic double play from Clement and Stefanic erased the runner. Williamson dribbled a swinging in front of the plate which Fisher was able to make a tough play on to end the game.
Jay of the Day: George Springer gets the number for a 2-5 day with one home run and three RBIS (.207). Let’s give Eric Lauer one as well for holding Seattle at bay for almost five innings (.158)
The Other Award: In a 9-1 game that caps off a streak, there are no other awards.
The Jays get the day off on Monday and return home to the Rpgers Centre to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, May 13th at 7:07PM.