Morales hits 2 homers and the Jays win

Orioles 3 Blue Jays 5

Nice to see a well played game from the Blue Jays. The opponent might not be the greatest, but playing a good or bad team, it is nice to see them playing like they have seen the game before and understand it.

Kendrys Morales hit 2 home runs and drove in 4 of our 5 runs. Neither home run was a cheapie. He’s brought his average over .250 and after the start he had this season, I would have better dollars to doughnuts that he wouldn’t come anywhere close to .250.

And Kevin Pillar went 2 for 4, both doubles, driving in our other run. I did say that I’d bet players hit very well in games where the media called for them to be benched, but Kevin was on a hot streak before this, so depends if you want the narrative or not. . It is about time he had another hot stretch. It does show that the idea of benching a guy for a mistake is something we fans and media like, but really doesn’t always help a team.

Danny Jansen had a hard hit double (unfortunately it bounced over the wall for a ground rule double, or he would have had an RBI), giving him a hit in each of his first 6 MLB games. And Richard Urena had a double as well and a walk.

Marco Estrada didn’t have his best game, but compared to the starts we’ve had of late, he looked like Dave Stieb out there. He allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and 3 earned, in just 5.1 innings. Not great but good enough.

We ran through a bunch of relievers:

• Ryan Tepera went 1.1, allowing just a hit and getting a strikeout. He was in the game early.
• Jaime Garcia got the 1 batter he faced on a strikeout. But it was Chris Davis.
• Tyler Clippard pitched a clean 8th.
• Ken Giles got the save, his 4th in 4 attempts for the Jays.

Our defense looked better than it has of late. The Orioles did get a bunt single, bunted at Martin, and a softly hit infield single at him too. I’m expecting teams to test him more.

Jays of the Day: Morales (.266 WPA) and Pillar (.094). Lets give an honorable mention to all the pitchers who threw tonight.

Suckage: Granderson (-.084, 0 for 4, plus an error in left) and Diaz (-.085).

Gibby seemed happier.

That smile is great isn’t it.

We had 569 comments in the GameThread. barraqudie led us to victory. Great job.