Instant Reaction: Blue Jays walk off Angels to extend winning streak to six

Toronto’s lead didn’t last long, as Lauer allowed the first two runners to reach in the top of the seventh. He was replaced with Nick Sandlin, who gave up a three-run home run to Jo Adell to tie the game up at three.

After some tense innings, the Jays entered the bottom of the 10th in a 3-3 game. Nathan Lukes was going to bunt Myles Straw over to third base, but Sam Bachman threw four consecutive balls. That brought up Ernie Clement, who did get the bunt down, but Bachman threw the ball into the outfield trying to get Clement out at first, bringing in the game-winning run.

Takeaways…

Eric Lauer had a fantastic game, as he went 6+ innings with two earned runs allowed and six strikeouts. Both those earned runs were given up with Jo Adell’s home run, and he pitched six innings without giving up a run before the seventh. Lauer’s emergence is a big reason the Blue Jays are where they are. The Jays used four relievers in this game, giving the bullpen a slight break.

Chad Green’s performances as of late have been phenomenal. Since June 18, he’s given up just one run in 8.2 innings of work. The walk rate in that time is a little worrisome, but he’s been getting big outs for the Jays in the past two days, four on Thursday and three in the bottom of the tenth in this game.

Brendon Little had a tough game, giving up two walks and two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning pitched. Yariel Rodriguez was required to get the final out of the inning, striking out Adell with the bases loaded. His top of the ninth was scoreless, although he allowed two base runners.

It was a quiet night for the Blue Jays bats. George Springer hit two singles to stay hot, Will Wagner hit the lone extra-base hit, a double, and Andres Gimenez and Bo Bichette had the other two hits. Nathan Lukes drew the Blue Jays’ lone walk, taking four pitches in the bottom of the eighth.

Gimenez was pulled from the game after he ran first to third in the bottom of the sixth. It was pretty clearly his ankle, but let’s hope it’s a scenario where he just needs a little rest.

With the win and a New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays loss on Friday, the Blue Jays now lead the division by two games. They moved their record to 50-38, going a season-high 12 games over .500, while their sixth consecutive win is also a season-high.

They’ll look to keep the good times rolling on Saturday, with that game starting at 3:07 PM ET. Max Scherzer will make his fourth start of the season.