One day after Kevin Gausman pitched a complete-game victory, the Toronto Blue Jays will be hoping Bowden Francis can weave some magic of his own in Oakland on Sunday afternoon.
Francis (2-2, 9.00 ERA) gets the start less than a week after returning from the injured list, when he served as a bulk reliever in a 10-1 loss to the Orioles. That game, which was Francis’ first appearance since April 24, saw the six-foot-five righty give up five hits, four runs and no walks while striking out two over 3.1 innings.
Francis is filling Alek Manoah’s spot after it was announced earlier this week that the right-hander would be undergoing season-ending elbow surgery.
The good news for Francis is that Gausman’s outing means the bullpen is well rested, should he struggle.
The other positive sign was the offensive outburst Blue Jays hitters delivered in Saturday’s 7-0 victory over the A’s, including ending a near historic streak of first innings without scoring at 29 games.
The streak came to a merciful conclusion when recent call-up Spencer Horwitz came home on a Danny Jansen sacrifice fly. A five-run fifth then made for a rare blowout by the light-hitting Jays.
Jansen and Bo Bichette both went 2-for-4 in the win, driving the Jays’ offence. Both of Bichette’s hits were doubles — two of five the Jays had on the day — while Kevin Kiermaier picked up just his second home run of the season off the first pitch A’s starter Luis Medina threw his way in the fifth.
Toronto looks to take the series win in Sunday’s rubber match after losing the series Friday’s opener 2-1. A’s centre fielder JJ Bleday delivered a walk-off home run on the first pitch of the ninth inning from Toronto reliever Chad Green in that one.
Horwitz will be back at second base and hitting leadoff with Davis Schneider getting the game off. George Springer is back in the starting nine after getting Saturday off.
Jansen slides back into the two-hole and Justin Turner gets the start at designated hitter after pinch-hitting for Daniel Vogelbach in the seventh inning Saturday.
Righty Mitch Spence (4-3, 3.86 ERA) will get the ball for Oakland.
Watch the Blue Jays take on the A’s live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ with first pitch scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET / 1:07 p.m. PT.
