Instant Reaction: Blue Jays rally late to defeat Twins 9-8

When it was Minnesota’s turn to bat, Buxton hit his second home run of the game, another solo blast, followed by Luke Keaschall hitting his fourth home run of the season. Once again, the Jays had an answer, as Bo Bichette hit a two-run single in the bottom of the third.

The craziness of the game continued, as Canadian Edouard Julien hit a two-run double and scored via a little league home run. After an error by Bichette, Ryan Jeffers hit a single, which drove in the Twins’ sixth run of the game in the top of the fourth. For the second time in the game, Schneider went deep to make it 6-4 in the bottom of the fourth.

Still in the bottom of the fourth, Schneider’s home run was followed by Andrés Giménez’s solo blast, his seventh home run of the season, bringing the Jays to within one. Unsurprisingly, the Twins were able to extend their lead once again in the top of the fifth, as Brooks Lee hit a solo home run, followed by a Royce Lewis RBI single to make it 8-5.

The scoring briefly stopped before Giménez hit a double to put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth. They weren’t able to cash in, but hope was restored when Ty France hit his first home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth.

Following the home run, Alejandro Kirk hit a pinch-hit single, followed by a walk by George Springer, putting runners on first and second with one out for Addison Barger. On a 2-1 count, Barger just missed a home run, hitting a double off the wall that scored two to give the Jays a 9-8 lead. After a rough game on Tuesday, Jeff Hoffman closed it out.

Takeaways…

Where do I even begin with a series as wild as that one was? Davis Schneider needs to be in the lineup every day until he proves otherwise. Even against righties, the left fielder/second baseman is an above-average hitter, and the power threat is always welcome.

Andrés Giménez could be the best hitter in the ninth spot in all of baseball. He hit a home run and a double in Wednesday’s game, his second since coming off the Injured List two weeks ago. Since the start of May, he’s hit four home runs and has a wRC+ above 100. You’ll take that with the defence he gives the teams.

I see London, I see France, I see a home run over the fence. Ty France hit his first home run of his Blue Jays career in the bottom of the eighth. It was a pinch-hit home run, and it brought the Jays to within one.

Addison Barger had had a rough game until he stepped up to the plate with two on and one out in the bottom of the eighth. All that was washed away as he hit a double off the wall to drive in the game-tying and game-winning runs. This was the biggest hit of the Blue Jays’ season.

As for their other hitters, George Springer was 2-4, Bo Bichette drove in two runs in the bottom of the third, and Nathan Lukes hit a single, but wasn’t driven in.

Pitching was something, to say the least. Starting with the starter, Eric Lauer, it looked as if the time off hampered him in this start, as he gave up eight runs (six earned) in four and two-thirds innings pitched, striking out four but giving up four home runs. He’s the likely starter in the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds and needs to have a good game to stay in the rotation.

The good? Tommy Nance and Justin Bruihl kept the team in the game when Blue Jays manager John Schneider called to the bullpen. The former struck out two and gave up a hit (an inherited runner scored). Bruihl struck out two of the four batters he faced. 

Seranthony Domínguez struggled with command and walked two batters, but was able to pick up a huge strikeout to end the top of the eighth. He was awarded the win, while Jeff Hoffman was awarded the save. Much better performance from the Blue Jays’ closer.

There were two notable catches in this game. Daulton Varsho threw caution to the wind, slamming into the wall shoulder-first to make the catch. The other one saw Myles Straw range over and catch a ball in right field to get the first out of the ninth.

Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins earned the title of the craziest game of the season, but it was quickly surpassed by Wednesday’s game against the Twins. The twists and turns of the Jays’ 9-8 win are why we all love baseball

With the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees both winning their games on Wednesday, a win in this game was incredibly important. Instead of just a three-game lead over the Red Sox for the division, the Blue Jays’ lead remains at four.

This recent stretch of games against .500 teams didn’t go particularly great, though, as the Jays finished 5-4. Realistically, they should’ve gone at worst, 7-2, but they maintain their division lead into September, even if all goes wrong.

Their run of easy games is over now. Beginning Friday, the Blue Jays host the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game weekend series. It’s a fascinating matchup, as the Brewers (39-23) and Blue Jays (38-31) are ranked first and second for records against .500 teams. The good news is that Shane Bieber will make his Rogers Centre debut, with a start time of 7:07 PM ET.