TORONTO — The way the Blue Jays’ dugout saw it, Hansel Robles’ intentions were clear. Based on the warnings the umpires would soon issue, they viewed things the same way. And there’s no doubt as to how the 14,719 in attendance at Rogers Centre felt.
With the possible exception of the Red Sox, everyone in the building seemed to agree: Robles hit Randal Grichuk on purpose. When seven runs score in a hurry and a pitcher suddenly loses command, people are going to draw their own conclusions.
With the crowd voicing its displeasure and both bullpens preparing to rush the field if needed, the Blue Jays’ bench made its displeasure known. Coach John Schneider urged the Blue Jays’ players to stay put while manager Charlie Montoyo ran out to argue, and it was a couple of minutes before some semblance of order was restored.
By then, the Blue Jays had already done plenty of damage, scoring seven runs to chase all-star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the game and usher in Robles. A George Springer double would later bring home Grichuk and Alejandro Kirk to cap off one of the more prolific and emotional innings this team has played in years.
The inning began with the Blue Jays down 2-0 and the bottom of the order coming up against Eovaldi. Back to back doubles from Kirk and Grichuk got the Blue Jays on the board, and after trying and failing to bunt Grichuk over, number nine hitter Breyvic Valera added a double of his own.
That tied the game 2-2, and the Blue Jays were just getting started. After falling behind 0-2, Bo Bichette singled off the top of the right field wall to give the Blue Jays the lead. Teoscar Hernandez followed with a two-run double before Lourdes Gurriel Jr. chased Eovaldi from the game with a home run that hit the left field foul pole.
By the time the inning ended, the Blue Jays were up 9-2, 14 batters had come to the plate and the crowd was buzzing. By the time the game ended, the Blue Jays had won 12-4, reinforcing their status as a team on the rise within the American League East.
With the win, the Blue Jays are 58-49, a season-best nine games above .500. Since returning home to Toronto exactly one week ago, they’re now 7-1.
“Home field advantage, man. It’s awesome,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “The players feel it. We haven’t had that in two years.”
Thanks to Alek Manoah, the Blue Jays’ recent run of strong starting pitching continued. Over five innings, Manoah allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out four and allowing three walks. It was far from his best effort, and his velocity was slightly lower than usual, but facing this Red Sox lineup is never easy.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, have had notably poor starting pitching of late with 12 games since the All-Star break in which their starters have failed to go five innings. While Boston still leads the Blue Jays by 5.5 games in the standings, that gap was 10.5 games as recently as last Wednesday.
The way the Blue Jays are playing, the rest of the American League East should be uneasy, the Red Sox included. With six quality starters at their disposal and arguably the best offence in baseball, they’re a talented group able to overcome some vulnerability in the bullpen.
And since the lineup is so deep, the offence continues scoring even at a time when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has cooled off a little.
“I feel good,” Guerrero Jr. said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “If I said I feel 100 per cent, I’d be lying. I don’t feel 100 per cent, but I’m good enough to go out there and compete every day.”
“It’s a long season. 162 games,” he continued. “Whoever says they’re feeling 100 per cent after all those games, they’re definitely lying. But I’m feeling good.”
Because the Blue Jays scored 12 runs, they were also able to preserve some key arms in their bullpen ahead of Saturday’s double-header. Tim Mayza, Jordan Romano, Adam Cimber and Trevor Richards will all be rested and ready with Robbie Ray and Jose Berrios slated to start.
In other words, another significant opportunity for a team that’s been making the most of them lately.
“It’s our mentality as a team,” Guerrero Jr. said. “As soon as we walk into the clubhouse that’s all we have in our head: win. We know we’ve got to go out there and win and that’s all we’re thinking now. That’s it.”
