Blue Jays triumph in Encarnacion’s return
TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion felt the love before the game. Kevin Pillar had everyone talking after it.
Pillar added to his growing list of all-world defensive plays with an eye-popping diving catch in deep centre field on Monday night. The play likely saved a couple of runs and the Blue Jays went on to spoil Encarnacion’s return to Toronto in a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
Ryan Goins hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays and starter Marcus Stroman threw six shutout innings as Toronto (12-20) won for the third time in four games.
Pillar provided one of the highlights of the young baseball season by fully extending his frame at the warning track to snare a drive from Jose Ramirez.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s one of the best catches I’ve ever seen him make,” Goins said. “Maybe even better than the one where he climbed the wall.
“He was going full speed, straight back and made an unbelievable play.”
Several Blue Jays extended their arms in the air when they realized Pillar came down with the ball. The Rogers Centre crowd of 40,014 let out a roar and Pillar was swarmed by appreciative teammates after jogging back to the dugout.
“Give that guy a Gold Glove,” Stroman said. “I think he’s the best defensive centre-fielder in the game and I’m just glad that he’s out there behind me each and every day.”
Goins went deep in the second inning off Trevor Bauer (2-4) for his third homer of the year. Justin Smoak added a two-run single in the third.
The Indians (17-14) scored twice in the eighth inning. Toronto closer Roberto Osuna worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his fifth save.
Pillar was sporting a Superman toque as he spoke to reporters after the game.
“I just went out there to make a play,” he said. “We’re playing shorthanded right now and wins are tough to come by. We’re just trying to go out there and play hard.”
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor said it was a play to remember.
“It was one of the best plays I’ve seen in a long time, probably ever,” he said. “He’s one of the best out there. They call him Superman for a reason.”
Encarnacion, meanwhile, had two hits in his first game back in Toronto since signing with Cleveland in the off-season.
He received a standing ovation after a pre-game video montage played and fans rose again when he came to the plate in the second inning. Encarnacion blossomed into one of the top sluggers in baseball during his seven-plus seasons with the Blue Jays.
“It was weird seeing him on the other side,” Stroman said. “After seeing how much he did for this team and this country, how many historic home runs he hit. I loved Eddie, I learned a lot from Eddie while he was here.
“He was a big role model and teacher for me.”