Turner’s timing is perfect
‘Small adjustments’ lead to big day at plate for veteran to help Jays salvage a split with Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. The Blue Jays’ regular lineup looks almost identical to the one that was used throughout the 2023 season, but there is one notable exception, and that player made his presence felt on Sunday afternoon.
Justin Turner almost singlehandedly took down a division rival in the series finale against the Rays. He went 3-for-4 with a two-run double, a homer and four RBIs in the Blue Jays’ 9-2 victory at Tropicana Field.
Turner’s big game, combined with a solo home run by Davis Schneider, ensured Kevin Gausman’s season debut would be positive. Gausman tossed 4 ⅓ innings in just his second appearance of the year, including spring training, as the Jays salvaged a series split.
“I felt really good today,” Turner said following the 21st game of his career with at least four RBIs. “I made some small adjustments in the last couple days, just trying to get comfortable again. I shortened up my leg kick a little bit and I think it put me on better timing.”
Turner was signed during the offseason to replace designated hitter Brandon Belt and provide the Jays with another middle-of-the-order bat. He is expected to spend most of his time in the cleanup spot, where he will provide a bit of protection to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
Turner is an everyday player who will start against all types of pitchers, but he’s particularly effective versus left-handers and that was noticeable on Sunday. The 39-yearold posted a .900 on-base plus-slugging percentage against lefties last year and his first big game of 2024 came on an afternoon when the Rays were using Tyler Alexander behind an opener.
It was Turner who opened the scoring in the top of the first with an RBI single to left.
An inning later, Turner just missed hitting a grand slam and instead settled for a two-run double off the wall. When he came up again in the fifth, Turner hit a no-doubter to left for his first home run of the season.
Turner’s breakout game came at a time when the Jays were undermanned. Bichette was scratched approximately one hour before the game because of neck spasms, while Gausman was operating on a limited pitch count. But with the way the 16-year veteran DH and third baseman was swinging, it didn’t matter.
“Sticking to an approach, you want him up with guys in scoring position,” Jays manager John Schneider said of Turner, who is a lifetime .311 hitter in those situations. “He has done that his whole career. A really big day for him.”
An even bigger development for the Jays took place on the mound. The idea that Gausman would be ready for the Jays’ opening series seemed far-fetched just a couple of weeks ago after he missed most of spring training with shoulder fatigue.
Gausman didn’t make his spring debut until last Monday, when he tossed three innings against the Pirates.
While other members of the staff made five or six starts, that was the only spring game he pitched. Based on Sunday’s results, it was the only tune-up he required.
Toronto’s ace looked as effective as ever by limiting the Rays to a pair of hits across 4 ⁄ innings, including a solo homer by Randy Arozarena in the first. Gausman was nearly perfect outside of that one poorly located pitch as he struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.
“That was the first big-league game I’ve been in where I had a pitch count,” said Gausman, who has a 1.86 ERA over his last three starts at Tropicana Field.
“That was a little weird to know that, but I thought we did a good job of getting where we got with the pitches that we had. Unfortunate I hit the last guy of the day for me, but I thought everything went well. I felt good and the team came out swinging it today.”
The Jays depart the Tampa region having played two good games they won by six or more runs and two losses that were marred by a lack of offence and sloppy play in the field. The four-game set could have gone better and yet it also could have gone much worse.
A series split at Tropicana Field, where the Jays have historically struggled, should be considered a positive but the challenge is far from over. The Jays have two more equally difficult series coming up with trips to Houston and New York before they return home to face the Mariners in the home opener.
That’s about as difficult an opening stretch a team could have. The Jays don’t need to set the league on fire this week, but they do need to at least tread water and survive. On that front, the four-game series against the Rays was a success. And they have Turner to thank for it.