Instant Reaction: Blue Jays defeat Angels to sweep seven-game home stand

The next time the Angels were up, they managed to tie the game in the top of the fifth. With runners on the corners, Taylor Ward hit an RBI single to score Chad Stevens, making it a 2-2 game. The Jays found a way to win the game, though, as Davis Schneider hit an RBI single with runners on the corners and no outs. It was on a 3-0 count, the first time Schneider had ever swung 3-0.

Takeaways…

Bo Bichette hit his 12th home run of the season to tie the game. The shortstop also scored two of the three runners, as he scored the winning run. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Myles Straw each hit a double, their 18th and eighth, respectively. Ernie Clement, Alejandro Kirk, Davis Schneider, Joey Loperfido, and Leo Jiménez each had a hit.

Addison Barger replaced Jiménez in a pinch-hitting situation in the bottom of the eighth, striking out. He still contributed to the win, as he made two catches on a line at third base in the top of the ninth. Schneider also had an impact on the win, driving in the game-winning run.

Kevin Gausman made the start, pitching five and two-thirds innings with two earned runs, three walks, and nine strikeouts to drop his ERA to 4.13. Jeff Hoffman picked up his 22nd save of the season, striking out a batter.

Ryan Burr made his season debut in the sixth, generating a flyout to get out of the inning. In the seventh, Burr struck out the side while giving up a walk. The 31-year-old righty could be an important reliever moving forward. Brendon Little struck out a batter and walked a batter in his inning of work.

This was just the second time in franchise history the Blue Jays went undefeated on a home stand with seven or more games. Their win streak of eight is the largest win streak since 2022, also doing so in 2021. If the Jays can win their next game, the nine-game winning streak would be the most consecutive wins since their 11-game winning streak that turned around their season in 2015.

The Yankees also won on Sunday, meaning the Jays’ lead in the division remains at three. Toronto can extend their lead as the Yankees have an off-day Monday, while the Jays head to Chicago to face the White Sox for a three-game series on Monday. The first pitch is at 7:40 PM with José Berríos on the mound.