The Toronto Blue Jays have now won five games in a row, thanks to an impressive sweep over the Athletics. During the streak, they beat the Texas Rangers 2-0, and then the Athletics in four straight games. Toronto beat Oakland 12-0 on Thursday, 11-7 on Friday, 8-7 on Saturday, and 8-4 on Sunday.
The Blue Jays improved to a record of 31 wins and 28 losses. They are half a game back of the Minnesota Twins for a wildcard spot in the American League.
In Thursday’s win, the Blue Jays received a record-tying performance from third baseman Ernie Clement. He tied the Blue Jays record for most runs batted in during an inning with five. Clement had a three-run home run and a two-run double in the second inning. The only other Blue Jay to accomplish the feat was Edwin Encarnacion, who had five RBIs in a 12-6 Blue Jays win over the Houston Astros on July 26, 2013. Encarnacion hit two home runs (one grand slam and another solo home run in the seventh inning). The Blue Jays had eight runs in the second inning, and had additional home runs from Vladimir Guerrero of Montreal, Quebec, Bo Bichette and George Springer on Thursday. Clement and Alejandro Kirk led the Blue Jays with three hits each. Clement led the Blue Jays with five runs batted in. Springer, Bichette, Kirk and Jonatan Clase led the Blue Jays with two runs scored each. On the mound, Jose Berrios had a quality start as he threw six shutout innings, and gave up two hits and two walks, to go along with nine strikeouts.
In Friday’s win, Clement once again had a multi-extra base hit game. He had a double and a home run, along with two singles for four hits. Addison Barger and Myles Straw led the Blue Jays with three runs each. Springer, Straw and Kirk led the Blue Jays with two ruins batted in each. All Blue Jays batters collected a hit with Barger also hitting a home run. Chris Bassitt got the win on the mound.
In Saturday’s win, Springer hit two home runs, while Bichette and Barger each had one dinger. Springer led the Blue Jays with three runs scored, and was the co-leader on the Blue Jays in hits (two, with Clement), and runs batted in (two, with Barger and Nathan Lukes). Easton Lucas got the win for the Blue Jays as he threw 4 2/3 innings, and gave up four hits and one walk, to go along with three strikeouts. Brendon Little and Yariel Rodriguez each had holds, while Jeff Hoffman had the save. Clement had the play of the game with a diving game-saving catch in the ninth inning.
In Sunday’s win, the Blue Jays scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Eight different Blue Jays scored one run. Barger had a home run and led the team with three runs batted in. Guerrero, Kirk and Clement had two hits each to lead Toronto. Erik Swanson got the win in his first outing of the season.