Turner already making big impact with Jays
VETERAN’S PENCHANT FOR TIMELY HITS HELPS TORONTO LEAVE THE TROP WITH SERIES SPLIT
There were days during the winter when the acquisition of Justin Turner felt like the Blue Jays’ version of a consolation prize in the absence of potentially bigger name signings that landed elsewhere.
The 2023 version of the team screamed its need for offence and, as the lazy off-season unfolded, the best they could do was adding a 39-year-old veteran with a knack throughout his career of driving in runs at key spots.
On Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, Turner not only showed there is still some pop in his bat, but that he can be that difference maker that has defined his career.
With Kevin Gausman weaving his starting magic on the mound, Turner took control of an offence he’ll be expected to lead on many days, driving in four runs in a 9-2 Jays trouncing of the Rays.
The win, which co-featured Gausman allowing just two hits and one run in 4 1/3 innings of season-debut work, allowed the Jays to exit Florida with a split of the four-game season-opening series. And it was Turner taking control of the run production with a three atbat sequence that could have doubled as a highlight reel for what he has done so well in his career.
“I’ve never liked to face him,” Gausman said. “I played with the Giants and didn’t like him at all. He always kind of killed us and killed me personally.
“But now that he’s on my team, I love the game that he brings. He always has a plan up there. He’s a guy in his 14th or 15th year and you don’t get there by accident. He’s a pro’s pro and there’s a lot of guys who have a huge amount of respect for him in this clubhouse.”
To recap that “pro’s pro” performance in an early-season breakout for the veteran:
First at-bat, first inning: line-drive single to left field driving in George Springer.
Second at-bat, second inning: line-drive double to left field driving in Isiah Kiner-falefa and Springer.
Third at-bat, fifth inning: a 400-foot home run to left centre, his first round-tripper with his new team, to give the Jays a 5-1 lead.
Fourth at-bat, seventh inning: draws a leadoff walk that eventually results in a run scored.
It was a prodigious afternoon for Turner, who has been a strong clubhouse influence since his arrival at spring training in mid-february, a status that will continue to escalate the more he produces.
“Just not trying to do too much and understanding that the pressure is on the pitcher,” Turner said of his lethal and measured approach when up with runners in scoring position. “I mean, I know it sounds easy, but just swinging at strikes and taking balls. Taking walks and getting a lot of traffic out there and then getting timely hitting to get those guys in is the recipe to win. I thought we did a really good job of staying in the strike zone today.”
As brilliant as Turner was, he had to share centre stage with Gausman, who showed little ill effects of his abbreviated spring training, which consisted of just one start in the final week.
With his splitter at its nasty best, the only blemish on Gausman’s day was a first-inning solo homer to Rays slugger Randy Arozarena. He threw 69 pitches before manager John Schneider went to the bullpen with his ace starter two outs shy of qualifying for the win.
“He was great,” Schneider said. “About as efficient and effective as we could have hoped for. He’s a veteran guy who knows his body really well, but it’s impressive to have one start in spring and not miss a beat. He’s one of the best in the game.”
The Jays will carefully monitor Gausman’s progress moving forward, protecting their ace. The idea is to get 32 or more starts from the right-hander, making sure he bounces back strong from each start.
As much as Gausman would have preferred to get through five innings and earn the W, he understands the need to be prudent.
“(It’s important) not to do too much, too fast,” said Gausman, who had six strikeouts in his season debut.
“We’re trying to get 38 starts, hopefully more, so you have to think about those things now. Hats off to the training staff. They’ve done a great job of getting me on a good program to get me back and on track.”
It certainly led to a nice wrap on the opening series, a split against a tough division foe, that saw the ace back in brilliance and the shiny new bat emerging as an impactful addition.
Joining in on the homerun fun Sunday was Davis Schneider, whose two-run shot in the fifth inning was his first of the season ... Gausman certainly fares well at the Trop, pitching to a 1.86 ERA in his previous three starts here ... About that patient approach Turner referred to: The Jays had eight walks on the afternoon, including three by Vlad Guerrero Jr., which matched a career high.