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Josh Donaldson Amazes, Blue Jays Win Incredible Game

Game of the year?

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Donaldson is not from this planet. The Blue Jays blew four different leads, but still somehow managed to win this game. Tonight was the definition of a roller coaster experience, with the Jays playing in one of the craziest games you will ever see.

Horrendous defence, poor bullpen management, and a rough performance from Liam Hendriks nearly kept Toronto from winning a third straight game. The Blue Jays gave up the lead in the second, fifth, sixth, and eighth. Errors were committed, mental mistakes were made, and countless double plays were not turned. The usually dominant David Robertson took the mound in the ninth with a two-run lead.

When the game seemed to be all but lost, Josh Thole started off the ninth with a single. Jose Reyes quickly followed with a double, putting two runners in scoring position for Josh Donaldson. The "Bringer of Rain" crushed a walk-off opposite-field home run to win the Blue Jays the game. Donaldson ended up 4 for 4, with 2 home runs and 5 runs. Jose Bautista played a big role as well, going 3 for 4 with 5 runs batted in.

What a game.

On Offence:

  • Jose Reyes: 1 for 5, 2B.
  • Josh Donaldson: 4 for 4. 2 HR, 2B, 1B, BB, 5 runs. It does not get much better than that.
  • Jose Bautista: 3 for 4, 3 2B, 5 RBI.
  • Edwin Encarnacion: 0 for 4.
  • Chris Colabello: 1 for 4, 2B.
  • Danny Valencia: 0 for 4.
  • Kevin Pillar: 0 for 4.
  • Steve Tolleson: 1 for 2, 2B.
  • Josh Thole: 3 for 4. 2B, 2 1B, 3R.
  • Ryan Goins: 0 for 1, K.
  • Russell Martin: 0 for 1, groundout.

Pitching:

  • R.A. Dickey: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 2 BB. Much better than his line suggests, but did struggle towards the end of his outing.
  • Ryan Tepera: 0 IP, 1 H, 1 HBP.
  • Aaron Loup: 1 IP, 0 H, 1K. Induced two possible double play balls, before striking out Jose Abreu.
  • Roberto Osuna: 1 IP, 0H. Pitched around a Jose Reyes error.
  • Liam Hendriks: 0.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1K.
  • Steve Delabar: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1K.

Jays of the Day go to Josh Donaldson (.758), Jose Bautista (.702), Josh Thole (.222), and Jose Reyes (.109). I will also give one to Aaron Loup (0.61) who induced two potential double play balls, before striking out Jose Abreu.

Suckage goes to Liam Hendriks (-.612), Ryan Tepera (-.150), Danny Valencia (-.143), and Kevin Pillar (-.109). R.A. Dickey also had the number (-.369), though most of that seemed to be created by his defence. Chris Colabello and Steve Tolleson contributed to Dickey's low WPA, due to poor defence.

The Jays will go for the sweep tomorrow, with Marco Estrada going up against Jeff Samardzija. It is now a day game that is scheduled to start at 12:37 eastern.