Another bug scoring game. The pitching wasn’t as sharp as last night, but then when you score 11 it doesn’t have to be.
Every member of the lineup got on base at least once, and eight of them did it twice or more. Vlad, Clement and Straw each managed it four times. It’s as if they realized they were below quota for May offence and are trying to get it in under the deadline.
The A’s chipped away at Chris Bassitt. Tyler Soderstrom opened the scoring with a solo shot in the second. In the third, Lawrence Butler walked and came around to score on a Jacob Wilson single. Shea Langeliers added a second solo homer in the fourth. They managed a crooked inning in the fifth. Denzel Clarke and Butler singled, and Brent Rooker brought them home on a double to right. It was one of Bassitt’s tougher outings this year. He gave up five in five innings on seven hits and a pair of walks, striking out six.
The bullpen mostly fared better. Mason Fluharty, Yariel Rodriguez, and Brendon Little each turned in scoreless innings. Chad Green gave up a pair in the ninth on three hits, but the game was in the bag by that point.
The offence was prolific for the second night in a row. They got started in the bottom of the second. Ernie Clement doubled, and three walks, a single and a sacrifice fly followed to drive in three.
Clement struck again in the third with a solo homer. A walk, a Myles Straw double, and a single plated two more to run the Jays’ tally to six.
After a quiet fourth, two more walks and a George Springer RBI single added a seventh, and an Alejandro Kirk double made it nine.
Finally, an Addison Barger solo shot plus a Nathan Lukes double and a Bo Bichette single in the sixth ran it up to 11.
All told, they amassed 15 hits, including two home runs and three doubles, and 11 walks. Not bad, and a bit of a difference from the last couple series.
Jays of the day: Vlad (0.115), Kirk (0.133), Clement (0.194), and Straw (0.296) had the number, but let’s just say “the offence”.
Not so much: Bassitt (-0.217)
We’re back at 3:07pm ET tomorrow afternoon. Former Jays first rounder and Matt Chapman trade piece Gunnar Hoglund (1-2, 5.13) will start for the A’s. The Jays haven’t announced a starter yet.