Mountcastle powers Orioles past Blue Jays 6-2

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays’ prized offense has been faltering against division rivals this week, but manager John Schneider is preaching patience in the clubhouse and media.

Ryan Mountcastle’s three-run home run lifted the Baltimore Orioles to a 6-2 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday as Toronto lost its second straight game and dropped to fourth in the AL East. The Blue Jays’ runs came on Danny Jansen’s RBI single and Bo Bichette’s groundout.

“I know it sucks and when you’re kind of stuck like this, everybody wants to do it,” Schneider said after the game. “You have to understand that he is going to arrive.”

Toronto also lost three of four games to the visiting New York Yankees to start the week, putting the Blue Jays 1-4 since Monday with a total of 14 runs in that span. Schneider said his players know they need to stop rushing at the plate and focus on getting quality at-bats.

“I think they love him very much,” Schneider said. “It’s just a matter of it happening and trusting the guys in the clubhouse that it’s going to change.”

Yusei Kikuchi (5-1) allowed three runs and three hits, struck out three but walked four in 4 2/3 innings.

“It’s hard to put things together based on my start today,” Kikuchi said through a translator. “They’re a tough lineup there, I know that and I’ll reset it for next time.”

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Trevor Richards, Tim Mayza, Anthony Bass, Erik Swanson and Thomas Hatch came out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen, with Richards allowing one run and Swanson two.

New York’s 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday put them a game ahead of Toronto in the standings. The Boston Red Sox’s 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres put them in a tie with the Blue Jays 7 1/2 games behind division leader Tampa.

Adam Frazier hit a two-run homer in the ninth and Anthony Santander added a solo shot in the sixth for the Orioles (29-16), who are 3 1/2 games behind the Rays.

“Any AL East series is going to be big,” Mountcastle said. “For us to come here and get a first W game is huge.”

Kyle Gibson (5-3) limited Toronto to one run on five hits and two walks. He struck out five in seven innings. Reliever Yennier Cano allowed another run before Felix Bautista finished off the ninth.

Jansen drove in Brandon Belt in the second inning for an early Blue Jays lead. Belt had reached base after swinging to a deep right and then advanced to third on Gibson’s wild pitch to Whit Merrifield.

Mountcastle responded in the third. He launched a 96.4 mph four-seamer from Kikuchi. Mountcastle’s tenth of the season scored Joey Ortiz and Adley Rutschman for a 3–1 Baltimore lead.

“I don’t think the court was in a bad spot, but my breaking balls weren’t going for strikes,” Kikuchi said. “So it was easier to focus on the fastball.”

Santander added a run the next inning, launching an 83.2 mph changeup from Richards for his eighth home run of the year.

Bichette revived the 32,485 fans at Rogers Center in the eighth when he grounded out to second, giving Kevin Kiermaier enough time to score.

Frazier piled on in the ninth, throwing an 83.6 mph slider from Swanson to the deep right. He scored Jorge Mateo to make it 6-2 for the visitors.

GUERRERO GOES – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned to the Toronto lineup after missing two starts with sore right knee. He was a pinch hitter in the Blue Jays’ 4-2 loss to New York on Thursday night. Guerrero was the designated hitter on Friday.

RELIEF RELIEF: Schneider had an update on three injured relievers before the game. Right-hander Mitch White had “a little bit” of shoulder fatigue and would pitch to one side Sunday, but would otherwise pause his rehab program. Schneider also said that comrade-in-arms Adam Cimber pulled off the mound Friday and that he’s headed in the right direction in his recovery from a rhomboid strain. Righty Zach Pop of Brampton, Ontario also pitched off the mound and would run around a bit over the weekend as he gets in shape after a strained hamstring.

ON DECK – Alek Manoah (1-4) is scheduled to start for Toronto in a Saturday matinee.

Grayson Rodriguez (2-1) will go for the Orioles in the second game of their three-game series.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 19, 2023.

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