Jays Win!

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (22) celebrates in the dugout with team mates after scoring a run against the Baltimore Orioles

That seemed like the Ernie Clement show. His defense, especially in the ninth inning, was amazing. And he was 2 for 3, with a home run, triple, 3 RBI, 3 runs. What a day he had.

Spencer Miles did a nice job as the ‘bulk’ guy, going 4.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, including a Colton Cowswer home run, 2 earned, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.

Braydon Fisher pitched the first inning and he started the inning with a walk and a single. A ground out moved the runners to second and third with one out. But he got out of the inning with a pair of strikeouts.

Jeff Hoffman came into the game in the sixth with one on and one out and gave up a home run to Pete Alonso, to make it a 6-3 game. But a strikeout and a ground out ended the inning.

Mason Fluharty pitched the seventh giving up another home run, making it a 6-4 game, but then got two quick strikeouts. John left him in to face Gunnar Henderson to start the eighth, and he got a very soft ground ball. Unfortunately, too soft, an infield single.

Tyler Rogers came in and got two quick ground outs, one a terrific play by Clements and a strikeout.

Louis Varland got the ninth. It went line out, ground out (3-1, nice play by Vlad) and ground out (amazing play by Clement). Save number ten for Louis, though he should share the save with Ernie.

On offense? We got 12 hits and 3 walks. We went 3 for 10 with RISP, but then it was a very important 3 hits.

• One in the second: Jesús Sánchez led off with a single, and was replaced by Clement on a 5-4 ground out. Brandon Valenzuela doubled Ernie to third and Kazuma Okamoto singled in one. Unfortunately an Andrés Giménez strikeout and Myles Straw ground out ended the inning.

• Four in the third: George Springer ground out (Kevin Pillar talked about how good it was he had a long at bat, I don’t know, 6 pitches is ok and all but….) and Nathan Lukes struck out (4 pitches). But Vlad went to a full count, before taking a walk. I’d say it was a good at bat, but he chased two pitches in there. Sánchez singled into center, off the second baseman. And Ernie Clement homered. Suddenly it was 4-1. Singles from Valenzuela, Okamoto and Giménez scored the fifth run. Okamoto tried for third (not all that bad a decision, I thought the O’s would throw home too) and was tagged out.

• One in the fifth: Clement tripled with one out and Valenzuela hit a sac fly. 6-1.

One in the second: Jesús Sánchez led off with a single, and was replaced by Clement on a 5-4 ground out. Brandon Valenzuela doubled Ernie to third and Kazuma Okamoto singled in one. Unfortunately an Andrés Giménez strikeout and Myles Straw ground out ended the inning.

Four in the third: George Springer ground out (Kevin Pillar talked about how good it was he had a long at bat, I don’t know, 6 pitches is ok and all but….) and Nathan Lukes struck out (4 pitches). But Vlad went to a full count, before taking a walk. I’d say it was a good at bat, but he chased two pitches in there. Sánchez singled into center, off the second baseman. And Ernie Clement homered. Suddenly it was 4-1. Singles from Valenzuela, Okamoto and Giménez scored the fifth run. Okamoto tried for third (not all that bad a decision, I thought the O’s would throw home too) and was tagged out.

One in the fifth: Clement tripled with one out and Valenzuela hit a sac fly. 6-1.

Just about everyone on offense contributed. Valenzuela had 3 hits. Sánchez, Clement (homer and triple), Okamoto and Giménez each had 2 hits. Lukes had one. Springer was 0 for 2 with 2 walks. Vlad 0 for 3, with 1 walk, which turned out to be an important one. Straw was 0 for 3, but did make the plays in the outfield.

Jays of the Day: Clement (0.25, plus the defense), Rogers (0.14), and Valenzuela (0.13). Let’s give honorary mention to Miles, Varland, Okamoto and Sánchez.

Other Award: Lukes is the only one that had the number (-0.10). I really didn’t think he had a bad game, just didn’t get the hit when it would have helped out.

Tomorrow we have game three with the O’s. Another win would be nice. Shane Baz (3-5, 4.29) goes against Kevin Gausman (4-4, 3.36).