Series recap: Blue Jays return to series win column, taking two of three against Diamondbacks

The Toronto Blue Jays are back in the series win column.

They recently returned home to host the Arizona Diamondbacks, taking two of three against the 2023 National League pennant winners.

On Tuesday, they won 5-4 in walk-off fashion. Down 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Bo Bichette hit a one-out home run on a 1-2 count, tying up the game at four. The next batter, Addison Barger, hit a walk-off home run, the second time he’s been the second batter to hit a back-to-back home run for a 5-4 walk-off win.

The Blue Jays won the series with an 8-1 victory on Wednesday. They took the lead on the second pitch they saw, as Bichette hit his second home run in as many games. From there, they piled on runs, including three runs scored on Barger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubles.

Unfortunately, the Blue Jays couldn’t complete the sweep on Thursday afternoon, falling 9-5 despite a late comeback bid. Alejandro Kirk had a terrific game, hitting two home runs, which stood as the Jays’ only two hits until the bottom of the eighth in their rally attempt. After scoring three runs (including Jonatan Clase’s second home run of the season), George Springer grounded into a double play.

It was a tough series for Springer, as he finished with just one hit over his 13 plate appearances for a -25 wRC+. Two other regulars, Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez, finished with a sub-100 wRC+, Clement with a 94 wRC+ and Gimenez with a 39 wRC+.

Every other regular finished with a wRC+ above 100. Guerrero Jr. in particular had a great series, slashing .600/.692/1.200 with a home run in 13 plate appearances for a 410 wRC+. Barger had a similar series, hitting a home run in his 14 plate appearances for a 300 wRC+.

Kirk and Bichette both finished with two home runs in the series, giving them a 277 and 191 wRC+, respectively. Although not a regular, Clase hit his third career home run in one of his five plate appearances.

It’s not often I write this, but Brendon Little had a tough series, giving up an earned run in his two-thirds of an inning pitched, walking two batters in the process. The only other reliever to give up a run was Paxton Schultz, giving up two in his two and two-thirds innings pitched.

Justin Bruihl, Chad Green, Braydon Fisher, Mason Fluharty, Yariel Rodriguez, and Jeff Hoffman all pitched scoreless outings from the bullpen. Bruihl made his Jays’ debut in the series, pitched two and two-thirds innings with four strikeouts.

As for starters, Eric Lauer had a terrific outing, going 5+ innings pitched with eight strikeouts and one earned run allowed. Chris Bassitt threw a quality start, going six innings with three earned runs allowed. It was a tough outing for Kevin Gausman, as he gave up seven earned runs in four and one-third innings pitched.