For the second straight night, the Jays’ starting pitcher had a fantastic outing. Even though Kevin Gausman didn’t pitch as well as Bowden Francis did yesterday, he still pitched seven innings, gave up no runs, and had five strikeouts, two walks, and six hits. He was quite good. Although that wasn’t the best ratio—106 pitches to 65 strikeouts—it worked for him.
Once more, we were first on the scoreboard.
George Springer (more on him later) led off the first inning with a walk. Two ground outs later, Spence Horwitz took a walk. Ernie Clement then drove a solitary home. In his two MLB games, Will Wagner doubled home two more times. I must commend the front desk for retrieving him.
We had consecutive home runs from Vlad and Horwitz in the third.
And there’s still one in the eighth. Following Wagner’s first strikeout in MLB, Leo Jiménez doubled and was driven in by a single from Joey Loperfido. It’s good to see him succeed. I’m hoping that will motivate him.
Five of our seven hits went for extra bases. With two hits, Wagner tied Davis Schneider (previously done by Danny Ainge) for the team record for hits in a rookie’s first two games (five, so I don’t think it indicates a surefire Hall of Fame career). Playing in front of your father, Billy Wagner (who belongs in the Hall of Fame), what a fantastic way to get started.
During the seventh inning, Springer was dismissed. He was struck by a pitch that struck his foot. Although plate umpire Manny Gonzalez missed it, Springer sensed it and convinced the club to contest the ruling. The review umpires missed it for some reason. I’m not sure how, but Springer seemed taken aback and addressed Gonzalez directly. Although it didn’t seem too serious, Springer moved a few steps away, probably to regain his composure, and Gonzalez removed him from the match.
Umpires never should eject a player who is leaving the field. The athlete isn’t addressing the umpire at this point, even if they are speaking. Fans are unable to discern if he is disparaging the ump or anything else. The umpire shouldn’t have to watch the players’ private game.
Nevertheless, Springer lost it after being kicked out, and if Vlad hadn’t been so strong, he probably would have received a ban. I don’t recall Springer being that irrational.
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