Jays walk off with win in the ninth
ANOTHER COMEBACK: Edwin Encarnacion’s dramatic home run extends Toronto’s win streak to seven games
In Blue Jays land, the spectacular has becoming the ordinary.
A month ago, this was a game they would have lost. But in their June rebirth, the Blue Jays are making the impossible the probable.
Trailing 3-2 in the ninth, the Jays pulled another one out of the fire, this time on a two-run, walk-off home run by Edwin Encarnacion, who returned to the lineup after a twogame absence because of requiring a cortisone shot to his left shoulder.
Steady Eddie drilled the first pitch he saw from Miami Marlins closer A.J. Ramos deep over the fence in centre to create another mob scene at home plate and extend the unbeaten streak to seven games.
It was the fourth walk-off win for the Jays this season and the second in their last three games.
With the win, the Jays climbed back to .500 (30-30) for the first time since they were 17-17 May 12.
“That’s why it’s so important to have Eddie in the lineup,” manager John Gibbons said.
“We’re on a roll and feeling good, and when you’re on a roll good things happen and you start believing they can happen, and who knows?”
Mark Buehrle’s 17-inning shutout streak that started in the second inning of his start May 29 against the Twins ended three batters into the game when with two out, Giancarlo Stanton drilled his first of two solo home runs.
A month ago Buehrle said the Jays “stink,” but in their current form they are giving off a different whiff.
“I think it starts with the starting staff and we’re pitching good,” Buehrle said. “Before, when you’re not pitching good and give up runs and not go very deep, it puts everybody in a hole, puts your offence in a hole. “I think it starts with us five.” The Jays have run off streaks before — last year they won nine in a row before tanking — so is there anything different in this campaign on which to hang your hat?
“You’ve just got to enjoy this one (streak) while it lasts and try to keep it going if not, start a new one,” Buehrle said. “Last year, we had a good May and stunk the other months so just try and keep it going as long as we can … We’re winning seven in a row and it feels good just like those other streaks (from past seasons) felt good so it’s going to be when we lose a game or two how we rebound from that.”
Buehrle allowed two runs on eight hits, had one intentional walk and struck out three in six innings.
Chris Colabello’s hit streak ended at 18 games after an 0-for-3 night.