Blue Jays return home, win at Rogers Centre
Bo Bichette hit a two-run home run, Teoscar Hernandez added a solo shot and the Blue Jays made a triumphant return to Toronto after almost two years away from home, beating the Kansas City Royals, 6-4, Friday night.
George Springer had three hits and an RBI in his first home game north of the border as the Blue Jays played at Rogers Centre for the first time since Sept. 29, 2019, an 8-3 win against Tampa Bay.
Displaced from Canada because of border restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the Blue Jays played the bulk of the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, N.Y., the home of their Class AAA affiliate. They began the 2021 regular season playing at their spring training home in Dunedin, Fla., before moving back to Buffalo in June.
On July 16, the Canadian federal government granted the Blue Jays an exemption to the ongoing border restrictions, allowing the team to return home.
A vocal crowd of 13,446 sounded more like 50,000 while chanting “Let’s go Blue Jays” as the players ran in from center field before the game, passing through lines of flag-waving healthcare workers. Fans stood and cheered as closer Jordan Romano faced Jarrod Dyson for the final out, and roared in approval when third baseman Santiago Espinal ended the game with a running barehanded catch in short left.
Other games
Reds 6, Mets 2: Joey Votto homered for the seventh game in a row, one shy of a major league record, and visiting Cincinnati beat New York. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds.
Brewers 9, Braves 5: Avisaíl García, Willy Adames and Eduardo Escobar hit home runs and visiting Milwaukee overcame the worst start of the season by Corbin Burnes to beat Atlanta.
Cardinals 5, Twins 1: Tommy Edman drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double and Wade LeBlanc pitched 5⅔ strong innings and St. Louis beat visiting Minnesota.
Nationals 4, Cubs 3: Josh Bell and Luis Garcia homered as host Washington defeated Chicago, hours after both franchises completed trade deadline teardowns.
Rays 7, Red Sox 3: Yandy Diaz, Mike Zunino and Randy Arozarena homered and Tampa Bay moved within a half-game of AL East-leading Boston with the victory against the visiting Red Sox.
Yankees 3, Marlins 1: Newly acquired Anthony Rizzo homered, singled and walked in his debut with New York, which beat host Miami. A day after being obtained from the Chicago Cubs in a trade, Rizzo snapped a 14-inning scoreless drought for the Yankees with his solo shot. Notes
Mets ace Jacob deGrom is being shut down for at two more weeks because of inflammation in his right arm, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Acting New York general manager Zack Scott said deGrom was diagnosed with inflammation following a bullpen session Thursday.
• Washington Nationals infielder Starlin Castro has been suspended 30 games without pay and fined an undisclosed amount for violating baseball’s policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. The Nationals said they will release him when the ban is over.