That game was exactly what the Blue Jays needed.

On Saturday afternoon, the Blue Jays played the second of three games against the Oakland Athletics, defeating the soon-to-be-Vegas based team 7-0, bringing their season record to 31-33.

Can you believe it, the Blue Jays scored a run in the first inning, as three consecutive walks from Oakland starter Luis Medina loaded the bases with one out. Danny Jansen hit a sacrifice fly for the team’s first, first inning run in 30 games.

The game remained 1-0 until the top of the fifth, when the Blue Jays batted around. Kevin Kiermaier hit a lead-off homer, his second of the season, to make it a 2-0 game.

After two outs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a double, followed immediately by Bo Bichette’s 12th double of the season to give the Jays a 3-0 lead. The Jays hit back-to-back-to-back doubles, as Jansen doubled in Bichette to make it 4-0.

The Athletics walked both Daniel Vogelbach and Daulton Varsho, giving Isiah Kiner-Falefa the bases loaded with two outs. He proceeded to hit a single to drive in a run, before a wild pitch by Jack O’Loughlin scored Vogelbach from third.

Toronto added another run in the top of the ninth thanks to a Justin Turner single, giving the game the final score, 7-0.

Things worth mentioning…

Kevin Gausman pitched a complete-game shutout, the first nine inning win of his career. He’s had a 5-inning complete shutout, as well as pitching nine deep in a game that went to extras. Not only was he efficient enough to pitch nine, but he did so with 10 strikeouts, allowing one walk and five hits. His season ERA sits at 4, and this was the first complete-game shutout for the Jays since June, 2015.

Spencer Horwitz started in the two spot, walking in the first inning and coming in to score for the first Jays run in the first inning in 30 games. His other two plate appearances saw a pop out and a fly out.

Bo Bichette continues to hit well in recent times, as he hit two doubles for 13 for the season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 12th double, Danny Jansen hit his 11th double, and Ernie Clement hit his fifth double. Six of ten hits in this game for the Jays were of the extra-base variety.

The bullpen will be well rested, which is good, because Sunday’s game is likely to be a bullpen game. It’s expected that the Jays will use both Bowden Francis and Trevor Richards for some length in this game.

Up next: The Blue Jays return to action in the rubber match on Sunday at 4:07 PM ET. Toronto’s starter is yet to be determined, but even if it’s a bullpen game, this is a game that the Jays need to win.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.





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