George Springer homered twice to help the Toronto Blue Jays win 7-1 to split a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday in St. Petersburg.
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After losing the first two games of this series, the Jays won the last two. They reclaimed their two-game lead over their American League East Division rivals in a fight to the finish for first place among the drafted teams.
Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider praised Springer’s experience after today’s duel.
“He had the greatest possible moments that our sport has to offer. It doesn’t go too high and doesn’t go too low. He is the very definition of a player who meets expectations when it comes to this time of year. He’s been doing it for a long time and he’s doing it now, which is great,” said the man whose comments were reported by the major league baseball website.
Springer was also not the only one to send a ball into the stands for visitors. Alejandro Kirk was first, scoring the game’s first run in the second inning, while Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run long ball in the seventh. The Jays’ other run was scored by Raimel Tapia following a single by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the final at-bat.
Pitchers do the job
Starter Ross Stripling (9-4) took care of the rest, giving up just one run and six hits in five innings on the mound. The relief also shone by giving up only one strike from a safe place and a walk.
In the other clan, Shane McClanahan (12-7) was much less efficient, allowing four runs, six hits and two free passes in five innings.
The home team’s only point came from Randy Arozarena’s stick. His sacrifice fly allowed Taylor Walls to cross home plate in the third period.
The Blue Jays will now return to Rogers Center for a three-game series against the New York Yankees beginning Monday. The Rays will visit the Cleveland Guardians starting Tuesday.
