ANAHEIM, Calif. – Since a foul tip fractured his left big toe April 11 and relegated him to an observer in the dugout, George Springer has noticed a steady improvement in the at-bats taken by the Toronto Blue Jays, especially over the past week.
“It’s becoming clear we’re starting to find an identity of who we are and that’s the most important thing,” he said in the visitors’ clubhouse Tuesday, shortly after testing his toe with some light running for the first time. “You’re starting to see at-bats strung together, you’re starting to see some balls fall, which is obviously good. And I think guys are starting to understand how they’re getting pitched and what’s working for them in the moment. I’ve actually liked a lot of our at-bats this whole trip, it just hasn’t progressed the way everybody would call a positive day in the score column. But guys are starting to find their way.”
Hours later, that trend continued in a 4-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels, giving the Blue Jays both their first series victory and three straight wins for the first time since a season-opening sweep over the Athletics.
Though they only took control with a three-run eighth – which featured a one-out double by Ernie Clement, an intentional walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a tiebreaking, pinch-hit, two-run double by Lenyn Sosa and an RBI single by Eloy Jimenez – they hit the ball hard all game long until they were finally rewarded.
Guerrero also scored the tying run in the sixth, when he hit an infield single that ran his hit streak to 12 games, advanced to third when Jesus Sanchez ripped a hard chopper to right and scored on Jimenez’s liner to left.
The production survived a nervous finish, when Jeff Hoffman, pitching for a second straight night, allowed a one-out single to Mike Trout before hitting Joe Adell and Jorge Soler, with pinch-hitter Yoan Moncada following with an RBI single that pulled the Angels within two.
Manager John Schneider then turned to Louis Varland, who induced a 4-6-3 double-play ball from Nolan Schanuel that survived a replay challenge and ended the game.
That ensured five efficient innings of one-run ball from Patrick Corbin and three solid innings of relief from Spencer Miles, Mason Fluharty and Tyler Rogers didn’t go to waste.
The Blue Jays (10-13) can complete a sweep Wednesday afternoon when Eric Lauer starts against Jose Soriano in the finale.
