Jays’ offence in hibernation in Baltimore
The Blue Jays had not started a season with two straight losses since 2013. But after dropping a 3-1 decision to the Orioles on Wednesday, they head back to Florida winless in their first two games.
Four years ago, when John Gibbons was starting his second stint as the Jays’ manager, they dropped two games at home Cleveland before getting their first win. They will need better run production and some extra-base power to end their slide this time.
In two games against Orioles starters Kevin Gausman and, on Wednesday, Dylan Bundy, plus a very good O’s bullpen, the Jays managed just two extra-base hits — a double by Ezequiel Carrera in the opener and one by Justin Smoak on Wednesday.
The Jays looked to have ace closer Zach Britton on the ropes in the ninth inning, when they trailed by two runs. Jose Bautista and Kendrys Morales singled to lead off the inning. Britton struck out Troy Tulowitzki, then walked Russ Martin to load the bases.
But after a long battle with former teammate Steve Pearce, Britton induced a ground ball to shortstop for a game-ending double-play, giving him 50 straight saves without blowing one. Britton went 47-for-47 last year.
The Jays scored three runs in 20 innings in Baltimore and were 1for-16 with runners in scoring position. They have not led after any complete inning.
The 3-4-5-6 hitters — Bautista, Morales, Tulowitzki and Martin — combined to bat .063 over the two games, collecting just two hits in 32 at-bats with five walks. The pitching staff has a very good 2.89 ERA, but the offensive numbers are quite offensive if you are a Jays supporter.
“Those guys are going to hit,” Gibbons said. “Off Britton, it’s tough to string some hits together. We worked him well. He just got that ground ball sitting there waiting. He didn’t blow a save all last year. I thought this was going to be his first.”
The Jays opened the scoring in the third inning on three straight singles by Smoak, Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis, whose looper allowed the lead-footed Smoak to score.
Jays started J.A. Happ allowed a pair of home runs over his seven innings, accounting for all of the damage. With two outs in the third inning, Adam Jones pulled a home run down the left field line scoring Jonathan Schoop, who had singled.
The home run was his Jones’ 223rd for the O’s tying him for fifth on the franchise list with Rafael Palmeiro. An inning later, Chris Davis blasted a homer to centre field. That was his 200th career homer for the O’s.
“When you look at the home run to Jones, I thought I made my pitch,” Happ said. “He kind of got his hands in there and in this ballpark that can hurt you.”
“Davis got me, I was just trying to be aggressive there,” Happ said. “Overall I felt like I was throwing a lot of strikes. That’s a good sign. I was happy to get through that seventh. I felt like I had enough in there. I feel like if I pitch like that, good things are going to happen more often than not.”
Happ has surrendered 14 career homers vs. the O’s in 741⁄ innings.
3 The 14 home runs are the most allowed by Happ against any opponent, tying the 14 yielded to the Yankees but in fewer innings. Happ last season tied for second in the AL with 20 wins, behind Cy Young winner Rick Porcello. This is a tough division.
“You look at the ballparks, the lineups, that’s kind of how a lot of these teams are built, in this division especially.”
Following a tough night in the field on Monday in the opener, Pillar was back to being his Gold Glove-imitating self in Game 2.
To end the third inning, the centrefielder chased a Manny Machado line drive into the fence at full speed. He came away with the ball but was on the field for several second before he trotted in. Pillar ended the fourth inning, racing to deep left centre to field a Wellington Castillo single before it reached the wall, then gunning him out at second base for his first assist.
“(That’s) what’s made me and that’s playing with an edge and being super-competitive,” Pillar said.
“To some people some time, it’s playing a little bit reckless, but that’s just who I am. It’s understanding that I have to learn how to control those. There’s a time and place for them.”
There was another scare for the Jays in the sixth inning when Mark Trumbo fouled off a pitch that glanced off of Martin’s exposed right hand. After the trainer came out to have a look, the catcher remained in the game.
The Jays open a four-game series against Tampa Bay on Thursday.
“I feel like if I pitch like that, good things are going to happen more often than not.” J.A. HAPP JAYS STARTER