In a thrilling Tuesday night showdown, Bo Bichette delivered his first home run of the season while Chris Bassitt pitched an impressive 6 2/3 innings, securing his initial win of the year, as the Toronto Blue Jays triumphed over the Seattle Mariners with a 5-3 score at Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays’ outfield was electrified by Bo Bichette’s powerful two-run homer, propelling the team to a significant victory against the struggling Mariners. This performance marked consecutive wins for Toronto, a first this season, enhancing their record when they score a home run to 5-2.
Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio, and George Springer were pivotal in the lineup, with Kiner-Falefa snagging three hits and an RBI, Biggio reaching base three times, and Springer driving in two runs. The collective effort resulted in Toronto tallying 11 hits, substantially outperforming Seattle’s six.
On the Mariners’ side, Mitch Haniger and Dominic Canzone responded with homers of their own, but it wasn’t enough to curb their slide, as they recorded their third consecutive loss and sixth in the last seven games. The team’s ongoing six-game road stretch has proven challenging, reflecting a rocky season start, lamented by manager Scott Servais.
George Kirby, the Mariners’ pitcher, struggled significantly, allowing five runs over just four innings, marking his second consecutive loss. Kirby’s ERA surged to 6.91 as he grappled with control and failed to extend beyond the fourth inning for the second game in a row. “I needed to expand my approach tonight but ended up being too predictable,” Kirby admitted post-game.
Meanwhile, Bassitt, with a history of challenges against Seattle, adopted an unconventional approach to his pitching strategy. “Mixing up my style was essential today given the history I have with this lineup,” said Bassitt, who finished his stint just one pitch shy of his career-high 115 pitches. His efforts culminated in a season-high eight strikeouts, only allowing one run.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen held firm despite late-game pressure, with Trevor Richards giving up a two-out homer to Haniger in the eighth. Chad Green stepped up, securing the final four outs and his second save of the season, sealing the win for Toronto.
As the series concludes on Wednesday afternoon, the Blue Jays will send left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 2.79 ERA) to the mound against his former team, while the Mariners will counter with right-hander Logan Gilbert (0-0, 3.55).
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