TORONTO – Addison Barger’s first stint in Major League Baseball was a disappointment. His second — granted, only one sport to this point — is already higher.
George Springer, Barger and Spencer Horwitz all had RBI singles in a second-inning rally because the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-0 on Saturday. Barger additionally drew a stroll, an enormous enchancment over his first cup of espresso within the bigs earlier within the season when he went 1 for 18 in 5 video games.
“It feels a little different. I’m a little more comfortable, more calmed down this time,” mentioned Barger. “Last time just everything happened really fast and it was a new thing.
“I kind of know what to expect more now and I’m more comfortable.”
Barger’s first stint with the Blue Jays started on April 24 and lasted till May 1. The 24-year-old utility participant was despatched again to Toronto’s triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y., the following day. He had a .256 batting common for the Bisons with eight dwelling runs and 34 RBIs.
When veteran designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach was designated for task on Friday, Barger was recalled from Buffalo.
“I just thought I had to get back to work,” mentioned Barger on being despatched right down to the minors. “I knew what to work on and just grind it out every day and earn the chance to come up.”
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Isiah Kiner-Falefa added an RBI single within the fourth for Toronto (34-36) and Daulton Varsho drove in one other within the fifth. The Blue Jays improved to 26-7 after they rating 4 or extra runs.
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Relief pitcher Trevor Richards was Toronto’s “opener,” permitting only a hit and getting one strikeout over 2 1/3 innings because the Blue Jays nonetheless haven’t discovered a fifth starter to switch Alek Manoah.
The burly six-foot-six Manoah final pitched on May 29. He can have season-ending surgical procedure to restore the ulnar collateral ligament in his proper arm on Monday.
Relievers Tim Mayza, Zach Pop of Brampton, Ont., Bowden Francis (3-2), Genesis Cabrera and Nate Pearson preserved the shutout for the Blue Jays.
Shortstop Brayan Rocchio mentioned Cleveland’s offence was stymied by seeing so many various Toronto pitchers.
“It’s tough because every time you have a plan for one pitcher, and the rest of the game you make your adjustment,” he mentioned. “When you see a lot of pitchers, you have to do a quick adjustment and keep fighting.”
Carlos Carrasco (2-6) allowed 5 runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out two over 5 innings for Cleveland (44-24). Tim Herrin and Pedro Avila mixed for 3 innings of scoreless ball out of the Guardians bullpen.
Justin Turner opened the second inning with a stroll and Varsho put runners in scoring place with a double. Springer’s basehit scored Turner and superior Varsho. Barger then hit a no-out single to centre to money in Varsho.
“I think what (Barger’s) been doing in triple-A is hitting the ball with some authority and hopefully that translates here,” mentioned Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider.
Kiner-Falefah superior Barger and Springer to second and third with a sacrifice bunt after which Horwitz singled to left area. That plated Springer for a 3-0 lead after two.
Toronto added one other run within the fourth when Kiner-Falefa’s single to centre area scored Springer from second. Kiner-Falefa made a uncommon look at shortstop as all-star Bo Bichette took the time off to relaxation a sore proper calf.
Varsho eked out one other run for the Blue Jays within the fifth. He grounded right into a double play with the bases loaded. Turner acquired pressured out at second however Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached third and Danny Jansen scored to make it 5-0.
JOSE PA-MIREZ — Guardians all-star third baseman Jose Ramirez was positioned on the crew’s paternity go away checklist hours earlier than the opening pitch. He will doubtless rejoin the Guardians in Cleveland on Tuesday for the beginning of a homestand.
ON DECK — José Berríos (5-5) will take the mound for Toronto in Sunday’s collection finale.
Ben Lively (6-2) is scheduled to start out for Cleveland within the matinee.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed June 15, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press