TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays’ game before the All-Star break saw very few critical late-game offensive innings.
But that wasn’t the case when he returned to the game on Friday. Matt Chapman and Whit Merrifield scored the first seven innings in a 7-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The victory over the visiting Diamondbacks (52-40) was Toronto’s sixth victory in seven games and extended the Blue Jays’ interleague record (51-41) to 17-7 this year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined his teammates for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Seattle after he, Beau Bichet, Whit Merrifield, starter Kevin Guzman and closer Jordan Romano appeared. described the first match as “excellent”. Second half schedule.
“We want to keep playing with the same intensity as before.” [on Friday]’ added Guerrero through an interpreter.
Guerrero, who just won the Home Run Derby on Monday, got his team off to a good start with a solo 14th homer to left-center at the top of the second inning.
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Chapman singled a Guerrero hit and scored on Kevin Kiermayer’s sacrifice fly to center field for a two-run lead. However, the away team fought back to tie the score at 2-2.
Keter Marte opened the scoring with a double in the fourth, then scored. Former Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno hit his third home run into right-center with one out and first base in the seventh inning.
The Blue Jays helped the cause by catching the Diamondbacks off guard with their usual sharp baserunning.
Toronto caught Gerardo Perdomo on a rundown who slipped in the second round. After Corbyn Carroll’s stolen base failed, Chapman sprinted to third base to receive a throw from starter Jose Berrios.
After Moreno’s outburst, however, the Blue Jays responded with an excellent offensive inning in their third straight opener.
Chapman doubled to the left field line from two outs for his third RBI on a 16-hit night for Toronto.
Merrifield got his second hit of the game on a two-run scoring single to right. Merrifield was sent home after second baseman Marte’s throw error.
Brandon Belt started the inning with a fielder’s choice RBI and scored Keemeyer, who led the inning with a double to left field.
Leading hitter George Springer, who was hit by a pitch in the seventh and put runners on first and second base, slid hard to second base to prevent a double play that could have ended the inning.
“Springer’s sliding was the underrated part of the game,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.
Guerrero had 2 hits and 2 runs.
In the second inning, Chapman singled out a Guerrero solo. He advanced to third base on an infield hit by Merrifield and Marte’s first error on Dalton Vasho’s ground ball.
Berrios threw 1/3 of the 5th inning, giving up 1 run on 7 hits, 7 strikeouts and 1 walk. Relief Trevor Richards (1-1) took over for Berrios, but allowed a home run to Moreno with one out and first base.
Arizona starter Ryne Nelson pitched 2/3 of the fifth inning. He allowed 9 hits, 2 runs, and 3 strikeouts.
Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kyle Nelson (4-2) gave the Blue Jays their first run in the seventh inning, ending the game.
purple haze
Guerrero and the 38,617 Rodgers Center gave a warm welcome to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who was making his first at-bat in the second inning.
Gurriel took off his hat to show off his wild purple hair, acknowledging the Blue Jays followers. Guerrero joined in the applause from first base, and Gurriel deflected a fly ball Keemeyer hit the midfield wall.
Last December, Gurriel and Moreno were traded to Arizona in exchange for Varsho.
on deck
Gaussman (7-5) will face Diamondbacks right-hander Zach Gallen (11-3) in the middle of a three-game set on Saturday.
This report by the Canadian Press Agency was first published on July 14, 2023.
© 2023 Canadian Press
